Help!

Whistle
1

Not sure where to begin, so I’ll start here and you can all tell me where to go if this is wrong. I bought what was advertised as an Irish flute recently on e-bay. I knew it wasn’t a flute but I liked the looks of it and bought it. I think it’s a fife. A British friend who is a history buff thinks it’s a civil war era confederate fife. It has these nifty leather covered pads. It’s really a beaut. It needs work. I have no idea how to find someone who can help me identify it and make it playable. I just don’t know enough to not do something stupid with it.

I would love to find a good Irish flute to buy. I don’t really want to spend thousands, wouldn’t be opposed to a good used one. I’ve always been in love with Irish music, Irish flutes (any flute, actually), and I guess I’m ready to dive in and experience it firsthand.

2

Can’t help identify your ebay purchase … but in regards to an Irish flute, check out Casey Burns Flutes (his folk flute is very reasonable and great!) or The Irish Flute Store, usually has a good choice in several brand names of Irish flute. Both Casey Burns and Doc Jones (owner of the Irish Flute Store) are great people to deal with.

Hope this helps a little …

Judy

3

As is Phil Bleazey who makes, um, Bleazey flutes and whistles. A little more pricey than the Burns Folk Flute, but in line with his higher end line.

I would also suggest that you take your questions to the Flute forum where there are people that are quite knowledable about fifes and flutes.

4

Yeah…what Steven said!

There are a few fifers about on the Flute Forum that may be able to help…
A couple of pictures would help also.

5

Meaculpa-- can you post a picture of that flute/fife, or a link to the eBay auction? Some people here might be able to give you more information.

Walt Sweet of Sweetheart flutes knows quite a bit about old flutes, and I think he can restore them too. Their shop has quite a few old used flutes available.He also makes really nice instruments of his own. I have one of his low D whistles which is terrific and you can get it with a transverse flute head too.

One other option is to make your own. Seriously. You can make a pretty serviceable flute from PVC plumbing pipe. Perhaps not concert level, but definitely good enough to learn flute embouchure, simple flute fingering, wind control, and have a lot of fun playing tunes. There are many tutorials online telling you how to do it.

6

If it’s truly Civil War era, you may want to do nothing to it except have it appraised. You could find out you have something of value. That expense flute may not be far off afterall.
Mike

7

Many posts on the entry level flute question over in the flute forum. Top candidates, more or less in order of increasing expense:

  • Doug Tipple PVC flute
    -Casey Burns Folk Flute
    -Raplh Sweet 2-piece flute
  • M & E Delrin Flute
  • Seery Delrin Flute