Has anyone made experiences with the flutes of Mr McCalmont?

Irish Flute
1

hello evryone.
I got a Irish Flute as a present from me parents at christmas,made from the flute maker Mr.McCalmont ,better known under Calmont Flutes.
How were youre experiences with this flute???
I think its quite hard to play her well cause she has a boehm tape making it not easier for a flute player which never had a boehn tape before,and in the 2nd grade you have to be very carefull to blow right to make the notes right,cause often the tone becomes unclear and is a bit wrong
and Doug,please forgive me ,I did not that decision,ash on me head :laughing:
cya,yours Julian

2

Hi Julian, that flute is hard to play because it is hard to fill with air. The diameter is extra large, and the holes are extra big, too. It is a flute fit only for an experienced player who wants to play loud and slowly.
I had one and gave it away. The craftsmanship is realy nice, though.

Nelson

3

If you’re talking about one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10183&item=3777961691&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

then I’d have to disagree with both the comments above. The “Boehm head” is indeed reverse-tapered, which apparently improves intonation. The low D is cracking, it’s an easy blower and takes much less air than, say, an M&E.

The “boehm-type” lip-plate really only serves to increase the diameter of the headjoint at the embouchure for player comfort, and works well.

I think it’s excellent, especially for the price. Totally maintenance-free, a good “go anywhere” flute.

Persevere with it Julian, it’s a new flute and the new embouchure will take a little getting used to. Once you are used to it, I’m sure you’ll be surprised by the tone you can get out of that Calmont.

4

I was going to get one of those but I got a Tipple instead I guess they are in the same class you know Big Plastic Flutes.

5

Well,after some time of playing this Irish Flute of Mr McCalmont I have to say that I am on the way to give up and to hoist the white flag.
This flute is quite heavy difficult to play ( I just say my experiences )this flute,if you play higher than the G in the 2nd octave its very difficult to hold the note and many times the tone crashed and went one octave lower.,and sometimes in the 2nd octave the sound becomes scratchy ,when you try to blow a bit stronger to hold the note.
Well,I think about building a flute by my own or about buying another flute ,cause with this flute I dont see much future actually.
slan ,Julian

6

I have no idea what your experience level is so don;t take these comments as a slight:

  1. ? How long have you been playing? In terms of actual hours?

  2. I would suggest getting an experienced fluter to play it first before you throw in the towel

  3. If possible, try another flute by a reputable maker before you cast yours adrift. Not that Calmont isn’t reputable - but just to give yourself some idea of the “user friendliness” of as many flutes as possible.

THe reason I am suggesting these things is because I just got a new flute as well, plastic, and I have a lot of the same issues you do. Getting an acceptable tone in each octave at will hasn’t come yet. NOnetheless, I’ve had three experienced fluters play it in the past week and each was favorably impressed. THey own, respectively, an Olwell, a Murray, and a Chris Abell Boehm flute. I was able to get decent sounds out of each of their flutes, in turn, but none of them were significantly “easier” to control.

As far as I’m concerned, getting a good consistent sound out of a flute is more difficult, for a beginner, than many other instruments including bagpipes.

Just my .02 ducats