Hall Crystal Flute

Irish Flute
1

Hi all!

I just got a Hall Crystal (Pyrex glass, actually) flute in Low D and have had trouble getting a consistant tone in the lowest three notes. I’m fairly new to the flute, after playing whistle and recoder for several years. I have the Tony Dixon Low D Flute/Whisle Duo and a surprisingly good and easy to play Cane D Flute my wife got me for Christmas from Mid-East (for $8.00, a bargain if ever there was one!)

My question, I guess, is does anyone know any “tricks” to getting a consistant tone from one of these, particulatly regarding embouchure? When I hit it right, it’s got a very pleasant “ring” to it, but I think the raised rim around the embouchure hole throws me a little, and like I say, the lower notes are barely a whisper. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your help!
-Bob

2

Bob,
I have the same problem with mine. Also, my sixth finger won’t reach the D hole so I have to use my pinky. I’d like to know of any tricks of embouchre as well. It is a lovely sounding flute when I can get a good tone out of it though and I would love to play it more.

Lady Whistler

3

To get the low notes as loud as possible, blow a flat, ribbon like stream of air across the embouchure hole, try to make the air stream the same width as the embouchure hole. At the same time try pulling your chin in, and blowing slightly downward.

4

Yes…once I figured out the trick on this thing, embouchure took care of itself. With a regular flute, you want your bottom lip on the bottom edge of the blowhole, but on this flute, your bottom lip must be under (closer to you than) the bottom edge of the blowhole. The bottom edge goes past your lip. Try that.

:slight_smile: Jessie

5

Thank you both for the tips, it really made a big difference. Today I got a good solid bottom D out of it, and the rest of the range is more consistant now. This forum is awesome!

Now we’ll see how I fare when my Olwell bamboo D arrives…

-Bob

6

Hate to resurect such an old thread, but I was wondering if all of you are still happy with your Hall flute. I’m considering buying one, but it is of such cost as to be worthy of great pre-consternation. Especially since the only wind instrument I’ve ever touched is a whistle.

Does it sound as good as those sound clips Mr Hall provides? How difficult is the finger reach on the D? Is it easier or more difficult than a Ralph Cook Low D? Perhaps the Crystal G would be a better choice?

Other than condensation and fragility, are there any particular shortcomings or cautions you wish you’d known about before buying? Any regrets at all?

Sorry for the list, but I’ve been searching the boards for two days now, and this is the thread that seemed to contain a bit of experience :wink:

7

Jeff - I think a lot depends on what you want out of the flute. If you’re hoping for something to take to play at bars, in sessions, or camping, then this flute is a big no. While it’s not terribly fragile, a good drop still would shatter the thing.

However, if you’re thinking of playing at home or in calm situations in public, I honestly think it’s worth it’s price. However, it’s not a wooden flute or anything close to a conical bore wood or polymer flute.

With practice, and especially the embouchure tips above, I think it can achieve a nice tone. It’s in tune through 2+ octaves. It’s not the most responsive flute in my opinion, but it’s pretty good for $65 or so. Also, I don’t think the stretch is too bad at all - so if you can play a low D whistle you should be fine. As for the condensation, I’ve never had anyone comment on it. It does collect moisture, and the moisture doesn’t soak in somewhat like it does in a wooden flute, but to me it’s not a big deal.

My biggest regret with this flute is that I can’t achieve a nice, reedy wooden flute type of sound. Maybe a better player like Jessie can, but not me. Also, being one piece of pyrex it’s not easy to travel with, but most flutes under $100 are one piece so the length is a common issue for this price.

Other possibilities for not much more are Patrick Olwell bamboo flutes ($85 or so), Doug Tipple’s PVC flute on eBay ($30 or so),
or any number of other bamboo or PVC flute makers like Tony Dixon (PVC - less than $50 I think) or Erik the flutemaker for bamboo flutes.

If you want to spend more and get a more traditional sound, Tony Dixon makes a 3 piece polymer conical bore flute that sells at The Whistle Shop for less than $200. I know that’s a lot higher than the crystal flute, but enough folks talked about what a nice flute it was so I have one on order right now.

Feel free to ask more questions, and I hope that helps somewhat.

Eric

8

I guess my primary concern is that I get an instrument that is responsive enough to be expressive. For instance, a Sindt B-flat whistle is more expressive (at least for me) than some ten-dollar whistles. I like to play behind contemporary Irish music, folk music, a little jazz, pop from the 70s 80s and 90s, modern alternative music, and anything else I can find that can use a nice woodwind back up or lead. Though this is obviously blasphemy, I’m not a big fan of chiff. Harmony and voice are my major concerns. I began my musical life as a classical guitarist. I ended up playing music in the Windham Hill vein before I gave it up for the work-a-day world.

I really want the flute to be sweet, if I can. Capable of fairly sentimental, evocative passages. I’d also like to be able to make it sound fairly strong - though volume is not a requirement.

If most of this is possible with the Hall, I’m sold. I REALLY liked the tone I heard in their sample mp3. Besides, I broke my Ralph Cook Low D (though I still cherish the Low E). So, I don’t HAVE a Low D whistle. Since I’d like to try playing a flute, I was wondering if the Crystal D would be a good substitute.

Is the Crystal a good beginners’ instrument?

Jeff Gitchel
jeff@trainorphans.org
trainorphans.org

[ This Message was repeatedly edited for spelling…]

[ This Message was edited by: gitchel on 2003-01-30 17:55 ]

9

a crystal flute has a very lovely tone.. no, it doesnt sound reedy by nature (in my experience) its glass, not wood or reed.. it has its own beautiful sound.. much like a metal one has a different sound from a wood or bamboo. My crystal flute does take a more particular embochure than some other flutes, but once you get it down, it really sings, it has a nice clear true tone. One nice thing with a crystal, is you dont have to have any real concern what you drink or eat while playing as there is no wood to fret over.. i just swab mine out with a little dish soap, windex, alcohol, whatever i think it needs and its lovely as ever..

everyone has their prefferences in sound and finger spacing.. you have to get what works for you. I tried out my crystal at Lark here in Seattle first, so I knew I could reach all the wholes on the low D, theyre not as tough as a susato low d whistle (which i can barely manage).

for me, the crystal is a little tougher to play than my M&E wood flute, but then I cant shift the pieces to make the fingers fit easier with less cramping, but the crystal is lighter.. so there’s always tradeoff’s.

good luck :slight_smile:


edited to add: it was my first, and i love it still.. the more you want to play the easier it is, but all instruments have their tough times and take lots of love and practice. you also need to consider price.. there are some flutes that are easier to play, but they cost a whole lot more.. there are also more expensive ones that are much tougher to play :wink: i’d go for the sound, feel, and look you really want, in making your decision.

[ This Message was edited by: blood’n’roses on 2003-01-30 18:15 ]

10

Well, I would feel pretty darned silly playing a “crystal flute” in a crowd of people (or even in the presence of one other person and my dog). Maybe that is just my own insecurity. Real men play real Irish Flutes.

11

real men ? :expressionless:

12

ok, or women also.

13

Well, close. Real Men play Susatos - because they just don’t care. :wink:

Actually, the most appropriate place for a crystal flute is probably in the privacy of your own home - perhaps in the company of someone of the contradictory gender. Anyway, that’s where I had in mind. The day I go public I’ll be using a B Flat whistle :slight_smile:

14

:wink: real musicians play what makes their soul sing best for the occasion, regardless of region or company. . .lol

15

Nah, go ahead and play the crystal anywhere you want. I have to confess I almost bought one a while back because that real pretty Babe who plays the Pearl Flutes also plays a crystal on stage. Almost had me going there, but I fought off the urge. They sure look pretty and nice on the website. Don’t let me discourage you. Get out there and play any instrument that turns on your soul,or whatever it was that blood and roses said.

16

Umm…Lady Whistler, ah..you have SEVEN fingers on that hand?!? And I have to put up with the limitation of five. Nuts.

N, sadly average

17

Hey Jeff,

I live about 2 hours from you. I might be in Ds Moines in mid February for a workshop and could bring my Crystal low D and G for you to try. I’ll let you know when I have more info on the dates.

jim

[ This Message was edited by: livethe question on 2003-01-30 22:35 ]

18

Jim,

Sounds good - as long as you don’t expect to hear real music from me :wink:

Do you like your beer pale and cold, or dark and warm?

19

Jeff,

Yes, I do but lean toward the pale and cold.

jim

20

Well, that leaves more Double Chocolate Stout for me :wink:

Drop me a note with the date (and your choice of beverage) and bring lots of whistle tips.

Hmmm. Whistle Tips. Sounds like something you’d put barbeque sauce on. :wink: