I have an Olwell bamboo flute in Eb and before I got my new flute, I used to play a Tony Dixon 3 piece in D. I had much better luck with the Olwell being in tune with itself. With the Dixon, the cork had to be moved and I ended up having to play with the bottom joint out about 1/2 inch – and it still wasn’t great, but it was the only thing I had in D. Also, I found the amount of air it took to play the Olwell was a lot closer to the amount of air it took to play a better flute. With the Dixon I couldn’t use a lot of air or it would squeak, especially on the low notes. Switching back and forth between the 2 flutes was a challenge because the embrochure was so different. If I got to choose again, I would go with the Olwell.
You have to play the bottom notes in good Irish style - blow them hard and with a solid embouchure and they will roar and hum better than on almost any other flute I’ve tried (I’ve tried lots). I recommend Patrick’s bamboos without reservation. You just have to play them the way they were meant to be played… with guts.
Well, that’s the problem for newbies.
‘Hard blowing from
a solid embouchure…with guts! Good Irish style.’
I could just as readily have walked on water.
My reservation concerned
the Olwell as a starter flute.
As mentioned above, I wish I had it now.
Also, for reasons I now understand, the
embouchure hole is where it should be.
Best
I think we just disagree with you, Jim, and are of a mind that the Olwell bamboo is in fact an excellent starter flute.
Blowing the flute isn’t easy, of course. It would seem that other instruments, such as the Dixon, may be easier to blow in that they might take less air, but that’s not necessarily going to help the beginner if the rest of the flute is out of tune. I don’t think any beginner is well-served by an instrument that is particularly forgiving of embouchure because the embouchure either won’t develop sufficiently or bad habits will become engrained.
So, for my vote, Olwell bamboo as a starter. 
Stuart
Oh, I just have to jump in here to post my comments on my 3 piece Dixon. Although I did have to adjust my cork, it was well in tune through 2+ octaves. It does require a very focused embouchure, but I’ve had no problem with it.
FSnockhart - You should have called Tony Dixon and returned the flute to him. He’s a good guy, and I’m sure he would have corrected or replaced your flute. I know he’s done it if any whistles had problems. Also, you should be able to blow VERY hard into the Dixon without it squeaking. I know I can. I think you received one bum Dixon flute. Quite a few folks on the board here really have liked their Dixons, and the quality, until yours unfortunately :roll: , has been good. That’s really bizarre that you had to pull out the bottom joint to get it in tune!
As for Olwell bamboos, no comment, as I’ve not had one. But I do think the Dixon is a very good starter flute…
Eric