Hello, new to this side of the forum

Irish Flute
1

I have a Billy Miller low D flute, and i really like it. It’s taking a toll on my hands, as it is a rather long stretch for me. I’m wondering if it’s just something my hands will adapt to, or if the cramps aren’t going to change. It seems like a decent flute to start out with. I’m not completely new to the flute in general, as i’ve played concert flute for ten years, but this is a whole new beast and i love it.

I have read some posts on here and noticed that quite a few members have Billy Miller flutes. Did i make a good choice?

2

You did.

But being a cylindrical flute, it has hole-spacing that is a bit more difficult than that of a conical flute. You can browse threads to learn more about this, and might end up considering a Casey Burns Folk Flute, or one of several others, if you choose to try a conical flute. But, yes, Billy Miller’s bamboo flutes are considered to be great in their class.

3

You also might want to do a search on “pipers’ grip”. If you can master that (and if I can, anyone can!), you shouldn’t have a problem. I use “normal” grip for my left hand and pipers’ for my right (on wide-spaced flutes).

Pat

4

Thank you both. I actually have been considering a Casey Burns folk flute… courtesy of a friend of mine that referred me to one.

I, fortunately am familiar with a piper’s grip, and use it on the whistle. It is helping my hands a little bit on the whistle, but maybe i’m not not doing it correctly on the flute. I’ll just have to keep practicing. :slight_smile: Thank you both for your help.

Alissa

5

Hi

I have a few of Casey’s flutes, but not one of his Folk Flutes although they apparently are recommended to those with smaller hands.

You mention that you’re using a piper’s grip, yet perhaps that grip could not be so well suited to a transverse flute.

Have you tried the “normal” grip, not a piper’s grip, and here I ask about your upper hand grip in particular, of your left hand if you are a right handed player?

A change of grip just might do it for you. After all, when a flute gets turned sideways, things do change!

:slight_smile:

6

I started out doing a “normal” grip with my left hand. My right hand doesn’t bother me. (I am right handed).

7

Hmmm?

Well, for a RH’ed player, such as yourself, a combination of “normal” LH and “piper’s” RH apparently has served well for many of the C&F members.

So, your having done that, what could the trouble be?

8

Probably that i need to practice more and get over it. I’m sure it will work… i just didn’t know if i was doing it wrong.

9

OK, but if you have any questions, just say so.

:slight_smile:

10

ok.. thank you!!

:smiley:

11

BTW, and just to say so, there’s also a “normal” RH grip, too, which is not the same as a piper’s RH grip.

After all, the “normal” LH grip and the “normal” RH grip were invented just to deal with the “sideways” flute.

12

haha!!! Success!!

No more cramps… just needed to practice, practice and practice some more.


:stuck_out_tongue: Yay.

Thanks all for your help.