It seems that all the really good players play keyed flutes. Are there any well known players out there that play keyless? I think Conal O Grada plays a keyless Hammy, but I’m not sure.
Thanks.
Max
Tom Doorley (Danu) played without keys for quite some time until he got his Olwell. His Seery had keys, but the holes were plugged or the keys banded shut, as they’d started leaking. I think Mike Rafferty plays a keyless a lot too. Most tunes can be done without keys. If you want to play in A (unless the tune has no G#), Dminor (some tunes in that key), F or C (song accompaniment?) You’d want keys. Also if you wanted to do the Galway thing of playing in odd keys. Sometimes accidentals are easier with some keys, but not necessary. Plenty of older players never used keys at all. They’re nice to have, but certainly not a must. You could learn a thousand tunes and never need a key once really.
I almost forgot, the flute Jean-Michel Veillon played in the earlier Kornog days only had one key. He did amazing stuff. Still does actually.
[quote=“fiddlecrazy”]It seems that all the really good players play keyed flutes. /quote]
you don’t need keys to be a good fluteplayer.
they don’t make you good.
i can attest to that.
i’m not any good.
i play a keyed flute.
you don’t need keys to be a good fluteplayer.
Oh, yeah, I wasn’t trying to say that, I was just wondering who plays keyless, because almost every flute player I’ve seen plays a keyed flute.
Max
Oh, and meemtp, thanks for telling me about Tom Doorley, Mike Rafferty and Jean-Michel Veillon.
Can anyone affirm the fact that Conal plays a keyless Hammy? I’m itching to know.
Max
Mick McGoldrick played for years on a keyless flute, as well as Brian Finnegan and Alan Doherty (who plays with the band Grada).
I think Desi Wilkinson plays Eb and Bb keyless flutes, and a keyed D.
Seamus Tansey plays and eight key Rudall flute with the keys taken off and the holes plugged up. Essentially a keyless flute. Peadar Reilly from Doolin plays a keyless. Eamon Cotter plays a C flute without keys.
Most of the time I only use the F and C keys. I don’t always use the G# key when playing in A. You don’t need the G# key for Mason’s Apron or The Linen Cap, for instance.
Keys are a luxury but in no way essential.
I know Conal used to play a keyless Hammy made of cocus.
At one point he was talking about having keys added; I don’t know if he ever did.
I no longer have a working email for him; he seems to have just up and disappeared. I hope he’s ok.
–James
Catherine McEvoy-- remember her? – plays a Rudall flute with the holes blocked. Her husband, also a lovely player, plays an Olwell keyless.