I’ve just got another William Hall flute and can see a number of subtle differences (appart for the obvious that one is a six key cocus and the other is an eight key rosewood). Some of the differences as you can see (if I’ve managed to post the pictures correctly) are aesthetic and some functional. On the looks side, the crown on the latest is more rounded, and the C and Eb keys touches have a more angular end. On the functional side, the embouchure is quite different, rounded on one, more oval on the latest. Hole diameter is also different with the 2nd, 4th and 5th holes larger on the latest.
As Hall only manufatured flutes on his own for a short period, it got me thinking. How much of the differences are due to the makers natural desire to innovate and improve his design and how much are due to the ‘fashions’ of the time or to the preferences of the player. Would makers back then customize flutes for individual players?
Given the embouchure and tone hole differences the flutes still sound remarkably similar to my ear. The rounder embouchure/smaller holes seem to slightly improve the responsiveness of the flute (it feels quicker). The more oval embouchure/larger holes seems to give a slightly richer sound. The difference is small and could just be normal flute to flute variation?
I’d be interested to hear other players comparisons between different flutes from the same maker and also to hear from modern makers on the reasoning behind their introduction of ‘improvements’.
For virtually identical flutes layout and bores (assume the same reamers, for instance) I would expect the smaller holes to make the flute “quicker” (lower Q) and less “loud”.
I’d say the smaller holed flute is slightly quieter. The low D is stronger in the eight keyed, larger holed flute (curtesy of the long foot?). I can’t detect any difference in the higher registers between the two. It would be interesting to compare them using the technology that Terry McGee has on his website. It would take out the subjectivity.
Hi,
I would think they would be inovations. The maker would always be improving his flutes. Of course it depends when they were made. Is the 8 key flute a “newer flute” then the 6 key? Does the smaller holed flute have undercut holes? With undercut tone holes it gives the flute more crisp “quicker” notes. They both look like lovely flutes!
You can buy another one, it is on ebay looks alot like the 8 key you have now. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7331260028&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
no undercutting on either flute. The ebay offering looks like it’s in need of some TLC, but if anyone is looking for a fixer upper it might be worth it. Both of mine were ebay offerings. The smaller hole was in a mess when I got it. The head was cracked the barrel had a huge split in it, pads shot, wood was bone dry and speckled with paint. It now plays very well. If I can do it anyone can .
I’m still interested to hear from any makers on the board about what drives their improvement activities. Is it accumulated experience of what works and what doesn’t? Is it deliberate design - I’m setting out to fix this? Or is it tinkering/trial and error?
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