Here’s the update on the saga of the tuning slide on my 3rd hand Seery
flute, which was on another disrelated thread.
Through friends of friends (in Dublin) of a friend here in Jersey
(truly a grapevine), Seery found out about the flute! and asked for some
of the parts back.
3 days later, back through the grapevine came the message, he got the
flute parts and fixed them already, but would I please send the rest of
the flute as well now.
3 days after that, I get a phone call. Its Desi Seery. He wants to ask
about sending me a different flute because I wrote that I’m working on
pitch. He says, he thinks it will be better for me and if I don’t like it, send
it back. Well, I said, whatever you think is best, but as long as its fixed
I’m happy.
Yesterday the postman brought me a flute package. Des Seery sent me
not just a diffferent flute, but a brand new flute! Its impeccable. Large
undercut holes (different than the one I sent him), astounding tuning
slide, completely in tune, not a leak in sight, oiled and greased, new
case, amazing sound.
that’s so nice to hear, again it shows that the flute makers are not in because it’s an easy way to make a living, but because thy like what they do and have pride in there work.
I just bought a Seery keyless polymer. On e-bay. The quality of workmanship is really good in my opinion, better than I had anticipated. It’s about six months old originally bought from Custy’s in Ireland. The RH finger stretch is a bit of a chore but I’m getting used to it. But adapting my embouchure is not so easy, (I’m a long time Boehm player) my hat is off to those of you who have started from scratch on this type of flute my guess is that it’s harder for a newbie than starting on a metal boehm system flute. Incidentally I find the Seery much quieter than my metal flutes needing less air and effort all round, although to be truthful I have always deliberately been a loud player. As far as decibals go the metal flutes are much louder. This surprised me.
Lesl - that’s great to hear about Desi being so accomodating! I think his design has evolved over time when I hear people talk about older Seery’s and then compare those comments to mine (made last August/September).
Tom - I always have considered the Seery rather loud for an Irish style flute, but I haven’t played a Boehm in so long I have nothing to compare it to. You’ll need to post about about 6 months from now when you’ve got the embouchure down pat on the seery and let us know how loud it is when compared to a silver flute - mine got louder as I grew to know the flute better.
I agree with Eric: the Seery can be pushed hard and played quite loudly.
I had played Boehm-system flute for years before I got the Seery, and I felt it still took over a year of work before I was getting the tone and volume the flute is capable of.
I’d say in a year if you’re still not producing the volume of sound you’d like, you may want to either seek out lessons from another Irish flutist, or try a Hamilton or an Olwell.
Makes sense. I’ve had several metal flutes and it takes months before I got my best sound out of any one of them. I’ll let you know later how the Seery has worked out, but I repeat I’m pleasantly surprised by how well made it is.
Tom - I agree Desi’s craftsmanship is top notch. My flute compares favorably in construction and finishing with my session mate’s Dave Williams flute - which is considerably more expensive. Side by side, it’s really hard to tell which is blackwood and which is polymer, too.