Hammy practice flute in D

Irish Flute
1

Doc Jones speaks highly on his site of the Hammy practice flute.
I’ve been playing one for a month or so and I
find it interesting. It actually is a good flute. It’s
very well in tune, it fingers very easily, it has pretty
good volume (this improves with practice, no surprise),
and a rough, warm metallic sound that works well
on jigs and reels. I always wondered what would happen
if you made an Overton transverse flute. This isn’t
too distant from what that might be.

Curious if anybody has one of these in G.

2

Am I really the only one of us with one of these?

3

might be :smiley:

I remembered this from almost a year ago,
I haven’t heard much about them since.

4

I also have the practice model in D.

I like it. But I’m just a beginner, so I’m not really qualified yet to comment on its merits.

And I don’t know anybody with the G. Sorry.

5

Jim, since you started this thread, do you mind if I ask a question?

From looking at some of your previous posts, it’s clear that you have owned or played a number of different flutes.

Roughly speaking, how would you compare the hole sizes and finger spacing of other flutes to the Hammy practice flute?

I find that I don’t have much problem with the RH (I use piper’s grip), but with standard grip on the LH I have to cock my wrist back and at an angle to reach all the finger holes on the Hammy. My LH and wrist get sore after playing for 30 minutes.

I’ve tried the recommendations on holding the flute in Grey Larsen’s book, but they haven’t helped much.

I have been considering getting either a Casey Burns small hands or a Terry McGee GLP in the hope that it might help with the problem. Any comments?

Thanks very much.

6

You’ll find either of these much easier to play than a cylindrical flute, and more rewarding. A good flute is well worth its price if you really intend to devote time to it.

7

I think the holes on the Hammy Practice Flute are small
and close together. It’s remarkable how he does this
on a cylindrical flute. They’re smaller and closer
together than on the Byrne Rudall.

I betcha the problem you’re having flows from the
narrowness of the metal tube.

You might try this: hardware stores sell clear plastic
tubing. Get some, cut a section a couple of inches,
and split it (sharp knife, be careful). Put it over the
tube just above the B hole and use it t as a ‘flute
rest’ for your left hand.

This added extension may do the trick. If one isn’t
enough, try two, one over the other. I made
such ‘bopeps’ for all my flutes, because my left
hand position was too cramped.

8

Cool idea. I’ll give the plastic sleeve a try.

And it is good to know that the hole size and spacing for the Hammy are reasonable as these things go.

Worst comes to worse, I can try to master piper’s grip again with the left hand.

Thanks.