Longtime Lurker Becomes Cutie-Pie

Irish Flute
1

Hi All,

Well, after months of avid lurkery I’ve decided to jump in.

First let me say this forum rules :slight_smile: I’ve been playing flute (a Tony Dixon polymer I bought based on reviews posted on this forum) for about a year and most of what I’ve learned about the instrument I’ve learned here. Thanks to all who’ve posted such great stuff.

Second – and I’ve got to get this off my chest – I’ve become freakin’ obsessed with Irish traditional music. I mean, I had always liked it well enough before, had listened now and again to Thistle & Shamrock on NPR, but I had really never heard it as it’s meant to be heard – live in a rollicking session.

That all changed two summers ago when my wife and I went to Old Songs Festival in upstate New York with some friends. We were walking past an outdoor session and it stopped me dead in my tracks. I decided then and there that I HAD to learn to play this music.

So my wife, our friend Jenny, and I bought Sweetone pennywhistles from a vendor and, with Jenny’s husband, Jon, on guitar, tortured our cat for a few months before deciding that some instrumental diversity would be a good thing. As a result, Jenny bought a fiddle, my wife got a Copeland whistle, and I got my Dixon. We’ve played weekly at our house ever since.

I’ve also ventured into the world of pub sessions at Jack Quigley’s in nearby Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Good, friendly bunch. I try to go every other week or so – no better learning experience.

Lastly, my Copley is coming next week!! I spoke to the man himself yesterday about the last details and I’ve pretty much worked myself into a frenzy (hence, probably, my new Chiff & Fipple registration and this lengthy post :slight_smile:). While on the waiting list I’ve lived vicariously through all the other Copley owners who’ve been kind enough to post reviews. Your posts got me through this dark, six month wait and I thank you :slight_smile:

Whew. Short posts hereafter. Best to all.

Alan

2

Welcome, Alan!

:slight_smile:

3

Welcome Alan,

Whereabouts in NH? I live in Portland, ME and work in York. Always looking for folks to get together with for house sessions. I play flute and whistle (of course) and the fiddle. I may be doing less fiddle though, as I am contemplating tackling the pipes.

Cheers,

Corin

4

Welcome Alan! :smiley:

I’ve been having a Copley for 3 months now and still discover every day how pleasant it is to blow in this marvellous piece of wood!

Have fun! And tell how you like it yourself!

Leonard

Speak friend and enter

5

Hi Jessie, Corin and Leonard – thanks for the hearty welcome :slight_smile:.


Jessie – I’ve read many, many of your posts and have been consistently impressed with your candor & fearlessness. Sometimes I’ve rooted for you, sometimes against :slight_smile:, but I’ve always learned alot. Thanks for your devotion to this site and the art :slight_smile:.

Corin – I live in Barrington, NH, about 20 minutes from Portsmouth, 45 from Portland. So how lucky are we with all the Irtrad stuff around here? (I recently found out that Tommy Makem lives next door in Dover!) Anyway, you’ve gotta check out Jack Quigley’s on Sunday and Tuesday nights. The session leader plays mandolin for the reknown Angel Band and is totally cool with beginners. And speaking of house sessions, a fiddler from the Quigley’s session recently had a house session attended by none other than Tommy Peoples! Unfortunately I didn’t make it but by all reports its was awesome. I’ll be Quigley’s this Sunday – come in and introduce yourself.

Leonard – Yes, can’t wait for that Copley. There was an initial flurry of positive press about them that seems to have died down some, so I’m encouraged to hear that you are still enjoying yours. I’ll let you know what I (a beginner) think of it.

Best regards,

Alan

6

Hi Alan,

I heard about the Tommy Peoples sighting at Ramona’s after the fact, boy was I bummed I missed it! I heard that Brendan Mulvahill had been playing there as well. Too bad I’m working this Sunday. Too many sessions, too little time! Who’s the Mando player? I’ve known Emery, the Concertina player for a long time, but I don’t believe I know his bandmates.

Corin

7

Hi Corin,

The mandolin player is Mark “Rocky” Rockwood – lately he’s been playing his new toy, a turn of the century banjo, at the session. Emery is there most nights with his concertina, as well as Bob Frost who plays banjo for the Angel Band. Too bad you can’t make it Sunday – maybe you’ll have off one of these times, or maybe try a Tuesday. I’ll pm re: house session stuff.

8

Positive press or not, make no mistake: Copley flutes are excellent, excellent instruments.

Oh, and welcome. :slight_smile:

Cheers,
Jens

9

Hi Jens,

Thanks for the reply :slight_smile:.

Yeah – I have great confidence my Copley’s gonna be awesome . . . it’s just kind of a big ticket item . . .

Plus, there’s been some controversy on the board lately regarding who’s good and who isn’t and who’s qualified to tell the difference – a little unnerving to someone about to buy. The objective merit of some makers discussed on this board seems to be the classic elephant in the corner that folks hesitate to discuss candidly because no one – and justifiably so – wants to de-value their or anyone else’s (expensive) instrument :slight_smile:. The best advice I’ve seen on this is to take a preponderance of opinions on a particular maker, which is what I did in choosing the Copley. Anyway, your opinion adds to the overwhelmingly positive reviews and will make it all the easier for me to write that check :slight_smile: so thanks.

Best,

Alan

10

I THINK (say it all in caps) there was only ONE person raising the “controversy” question as to who was or wasn’s qualified to make comments on this or any other flute. I’ve never stated to be a professional as I’ve only been playing Irish flute for a little over two years but Boehm and fifes for many more. I believe most of us were giving our comparison appraisal based on what we DO have and DO play as opposed to being critical of one over another. Previous comments alluded to “top” quality flutes and “other” but never specified which flutes, in their opinion, were to be fit into either of those categories.

I continue to welcome appraisals from players regardless of their level. These appraisals can be taken or left based on the level of the reader and what that reader’s needs may be.

BillG

11

Fair enough Bill :slight_smile:

Thanks for the reply.

Best,

Alan

12

Alan,

I tried to PM you with this, but kept getting error messages. What time does the Tuesday Quigley’s session start? Since I can’t play at my regular session this week, I was contemplating heading down to Portsmouth for some tunes.

thanks,
Corin

13

Hey Corin –

I’m not sure about the tues. session – I go to the sun. one which starts at like 5:30. I think it’s around 7 since it’s a work day, but you may wanna call 'em – (603) 433-8800.

Alan

14

Prospero is a great name.
I think Dave Copley makes superb flutes.
Are you getting keyed or keyless?

15

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the hello :slight_smile:.

I’m getting a keyless for now. If all goes well I’ll probably swap out the body at some point for a keyed – it’s a nice deal Copley does – you end up paying basically what you would for a keyed to begin with only without the big $ hit upfront. I was looking at flute porn (again) last night – that Copley is a good lookin’ flute :slight_smile:.

Alan

16

I agry with you Prospero about keys added.
That’s what I plan to do with the Hamilton I’ll receive next june: have kyes added later on.

By the way, can anyone tell me: if I change the keyless body for a keyed one, is it possible in any way to have the Eb key? Or does the maker take back the foot too?

Francois

Speak friend and enter

17

Hi Leonard.

Good question – I have no idea. This might be a good starter question for a new thread – I’m sure there are all kinds of configurations people have had experience with.

Alan

18

Hi Prospero,

well, I did the best thing and asked Hammy.

His answer is simple. If the body is in perfect shape, he takes it back and make you pay only for the keys, witch are 215 euros (block mounted) right now. If you want the Eb key, then he takes back the foot too.

That’s it. Simple isn’it?

Speak friend and enter