I'm a flautist!!!

Irish Flute
1

Well, ok, maybe not exactly. :slight_smile:

For a little while I have been looking for a new instrument to learn (I sing, play piano and trumpet) and have always liked woodwind sound. Figured I would try an alto recorder because it is a cheap instrument and I did like the sound more than a regular recorder…but still not what I was looking for.

I was doing some YouTube surfing (very scientific research, I realize) and came across the bansuri. I liked the sound and searched some more and found the Irish flute. I fell in love!

My next step was to see where I could get one inexpensively so that I can just get started with it. I eventually found Doug Tipple’s site (pretty sure that is the norm for everyone just starting out :smiley: ) and planned on getting one. Unfortunately I was just laid off from work, so that purchase is on hold till I am working again.

I decided to use the instructions from Mark Shepard for making my own PVC flute just to see what I thought of it. WOW! It works, is fairly close to being in tune (it’s homemade, I’m not too picky at this point) and sounds pretty cool.

At this point I am addicted! I made it just a week ago and carry it everywhere with me. I mean everywhere! I go to pick up the kids from school and take it to practice in the car. For about the first 2 or 3 days I had a hard time making consistent sound but I am getting it now.

After reading through all the details at Doug Tipples site, and reading reviews and hearing his flutes played I am very excited about getting one. Doug, I think it is absolutely fantastic that you put so much love into making your flutes but still only charge $50. Can’t wait to get my 3 piece Low D. :slight_smile:

Anyway, you should be seeing me around here. I am more of a lurker than poster but I will be here reading lots. Eventually I will probably be brave enough to record myself just to see how my progress is. :stuck_out_tongue: I’ve just started on learning “The Path you Can’t See” and “Arianna’s Tower”.

By the way, could more of you post vids on YouTube please…PLEASE!! It really helps in learning to be able to see how fingering is being done

See you guys around on the forums.

2

Welcome Darren. Lotta fun, huh?!

PVC flutes are a great way to get started. I’ve made a few good ones, (and some clunkers). Doug’s are pretty much the best around though, and they’re a steal at the prices he charges. I still play mine often in spite of having a couple of nice wooden ones.

You’ll find this a great place to learn, ask questions and meet other players. Have fun!

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Great to hear your story and enthusiasm, Darren! My conduit to the Irish flute was the music, not the instrument (which I was made to play as a teen, bless my folks!). At the risk of embarrassing myself, and strictly for what they’re worth, I have a few vids up at http://youtube.com/segv2

There is infinitely better stuff out there, which may be good for inspiration, but out of reach for you (or me, for that matter) at this point. Here are some of my favorite performances:

Matt Molloy: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mtSjM3YU7Qw
Seamus Egan: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yu26Y0DXyT8
Seamus Tansey: http://youtube.com/watch?v=abi-lhnXoSY
Orlaith McAuliffe: http://youtube.com/watch?v=SaaUoc-lrZc

Also, check out http://comhaltas.ie or http://lunasa.ie (click on “Kev’s tunes”) for excellent material with a more educational focus.

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Wow, Segv! That was a hoot! Great work, extend my compliments to the band!

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:smiley: I will, I will!

It’s cute because they’re aware of their visibility, so they insisted that I hire them for the performance. I worked out a royalty deal, which pays them $0.01 for every view of the clip. They’re firmly convinced they’re going to make millionz. If you click often, I, too will have to have a funding sale :laughing:

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Thanks for the “welcome” guys. I have been digging through YouTube as much as possible but those links send me to a couple that are probably berried 4 or more pages in. I never get that far :stuck_out_tongue:

segv, I am going to have to watch yours all over again. I kept getting distracted by that cool looking mini laptop in the background. :slight_smile:

Thanks again.

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Yeah, mine too. Excellent fun!

KAC

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Wheres your daughters instrument?

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That looks like fun, Segv. Your kids are way beyond most kids at their ages! It looks like your daughter is going to join you all, too. Congrats to the gang.

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WOW!!

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SaaUoc-lrZc

You probably have all heard this but I just found it. It’s all new to me :slight_smile:

Just AMAZING how good she is!

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I thought I had sent you that link … but I’m glad you found it on your own :wink:

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Oooooops! You are right, you did send that link. Sorry about that. I tend to open about 12 tabs at a time and thought I had just come across it as a link from somewhere else. My bad! :slight_smile:

BTW, love to see the whole family in on the action on your vids. :slight_smile: My son is playing piano, one daughter is about to start guitar and the youngest has her heart set on violin. Hopefully I can keep up with them and post something at some point. :slight_smile: