Hamilton: Kitty Got a Clinking Coming from the Races

Irish Flute
1

Here’s my latest on the Hamilton flute:

http://www.flutesite.com/samples/kittyclink_hammy.mp3

This is a single reel in D major.

–James

2

That 's really nice, Jim, thanks! You have a very rhythmic approach; is there a name for that style of breath accentuation? Did you learn it by hearing others do it or did it just come naturally out of what you wanted to sound like?

Elizabeth

3

Sorry–meant to say James!

Elizabeth

4

It’s OK..I answer to either. I grew up answering to James, and in college also started answering to Jim. On chat I’m usually Jim_P.

The rhytmically breath-pulsed style is usually called “Huff-n-Puff” playing. :slight_smile: I can’t tell you exactly where I picked it up, though I have some “geezer” recordings that use it, and also sometimes Matt Molloy uses it on some of the tunes on his solo recordings. It was just a case of learning to duplicate what I was hearing in the recordings, and it happened over time–there wasn’t ever really a deliberate process where I sat down and said, “today I’m going to learn to do this.” In fact, it’s still a work in progress, as is most everything else with my playing.

I don’t use breath-pulsing on all tunes but some, like this one, just seem to beg for it.

I do tend to get a bit carried away when I’m doing it on the Hamilton! :smiling_imp: That flute is incredible…I’ve never yet reached the limit of how much air it can take.

–James

5

Thanks, very nice to listen to.

6

Just for grins and chuckles, here’s the same reel played on my antique 8-key German flute:

http://www.flutesite.com/samples/kittyclink_oldflute.mp3

Notice the very flat low D, a common characteristic on 19th century flutes, and that the flute can’t be pushed nearly as hard as the Hamilton, and doesn’t have its projection or clarity of sound as well. However, it does have a lovely sound all its own, a kind of thick lush buzziness, and there is a really special feeling to playing a flute that actually came from another time. Even with all its faults, it’s got deep deep roots.

–James

7

James, my favorite thing about the tunes you share is the fact that you find so many great ones that I had never heard before!
That’s a nice tune, and I have added it to my collection ~ thanks!

Mary

And I liked the recording on your antique flute :slight_smile: