I tried a flute made by Marcus Hernon at Örebro Summer school in Sweden
and it was absolutely lovely. I play a Sam Murray so I compare them both. The Hernon was more easier to blow and had a strong powerful D, more powerful than the Murray. I think that Marcus Hernon is going to be one of the “high end” makers.
He’s making keyless flutes at the moment but he’s going to make keyed ones in the near future.
The advantages of a Hernon flute are: four months waiting list Keyless flute - African Blackwood - tuning slide -C Foot – handcrafted solid cherry wooden box. The price 460 Euro Flute made by one of the best flute players in Ireland http://www.piping.se/marcushernon.htm
That’s quite a favorable review Ojvoj - can’t wait to hear other’s reviews! I’ve emailed Marcus enquiring of pictures of his work. How did the crafstmanship compare to your Murray?
The design, nothing but the design… and I would be very interested in knowing if their sound is related to their design. Unfortunately, those flutes are pretty uncommon in France, and the board makes me curious about these flutes.
I know it’s not a very professional approach, but the poor quality of sound samples available on websites doesn’t help me. If you can help…
“Design”… Okay, I suspect the language barrier (no disrespect intended) is causing a bit of confusion here, at least on my end: I take it by design you mean the outward appearance? If so then I see what you mean. If on the other hand you mean design as in technical design specifications - bore dimensions, tone hole size and placement etc., then I am still wondering… Marcus says his design is based on a rudall carte, and I don’t think the Copley is, and not sure about Orimiston.
I apologize…
We French people have taken that word to express the look; As I said, I never saw an Ormiston, a Copley or a Murray here… I can’t tell anything about technical specification.
But I’m going to buy one flute of one of thes makers because they look nice (the flutes, not the makers!), and I would appreciate any help for choice, as i can’t make test before buying.
Nothing at all to apologize for, I only wish I could communicate as well in French as you do in English!
I have played several Copley flutes (all wonderful in my opinion) and I even visited with Dave Copley just recently. I have not had the opportunity to play an Ormiston flute, and although I do have a keyless flute on order from Mr. Hernon, I can’t be certain when I will take possesion of it, should be several months at least. So, unfortunately, I can’t be of any help right now. Seems there are only few folks who have had a go at Marcus’ flutes so far, and it might be difficult to get opinions just yet. I wish you luck in your search though
Its time for me to enter in stage right here as I have and play both a Copley and an Ormiston. Both are keyless and I love them both. Some days I play them back to back trying to determine which I’ll play most often.
Comparison as I see it: the Ormiston is lighter (mine is a D foot) and four piece; Copley is C foot and five piece; according to one of my sons last week in a sound test (he’s an amateur musician but not a pro) the Copley was “mellower”; I find with the Copley I am able to bring more out of the bottom octave than I can with the Ormiston; the Ormiston sings nicer in the second octave but if you’re looking for the growl up there then the Copley might have more edge - at least as I play it.
They are both beautiful pieces of timber, meticulously constructed - both are engineers and players and seek perfection in their pieces. I love them both equally for different reasons and different sounds. Right now I’m hung up on the Copley more so since I can change the emotions produced easier than on the Ormiston. I’m sure its me but that’s my input for the moment. I will select the Copley for my player this month hitting the Ormiston on occasion just to show it I still love it. A bit of animism here?
I just reread this part of the Loren post and need to comment. Both Copley and Ormiston, on their web sites, indicate that they shoot for somewhere between R&R and Pratton making adjustments to appeal to both ends of that spectrum. The Ormiston finger holes are a tad smaller than the Copley. Ormiston blowhole is more oval than Copley. A read of both of their sites might clarify this more.
Yeah, I have spoken to Dave about his design, and so I am aware of what he’s shooting for, which is why I originally wondered about Philippe’s comment on the similarity of design between the Copley, Ormiston, and Hernon flutes. But we’ve got that all straight now
I fear that opinions posted on ( lesser ? ) makers tend to be generous firstly because those who have the experience of the work of good makers are reluctant to offer a negative review in case they offend makers and are seen as carpers or trying to be superior , and secondly because praise is freely given by those who have little experience of fine flutes and are comparing appraised flutes with the second raters they have tried .
Another problem is creeping in through well known players succumbing to the " generosity" of those wishing to promote their flutes .
New web techniques will soon enable more or less standardised comparisons of fine flutes in controlled conditions by well regarded players .We may well try something like that in coming months.
I don’t think anyone could argue with that statement at all. That is one problem inherent on forums such as this, where it can be very difficult for beginners, or those with limited access to other players, to get impartial opinions on various flutes.
If you read through the archives seeking opinions on flutes, they are predominantly glowing - “I’ve got one and it’s great”. You really need the balance of someone saying “I’ve tried one and I found it a bit…”
I am very lucky in that I live within a few miles of a lot of great players who are very generous with their knowledge. Anytime I have passed on that knowledge to people looking for advice on the web, I have always done it off-list for fear of starting a flame war - and that’s a shame really, because if I were a beginner I’d like to see a bit more balance.
Well, that had nothing to do with Mr Hernon and his flutes, did it? I guess I’ve taken an early lead in the 2004 off-topic championships then.
You could always send a private email to somebody asking for an opinion of a flute-maker. You’d get an honest review that a reviewer mightn’t want to post publicly. I have never liked a single flute by a maker that some posters have raved about. These ravers were for the most part beginners who didn’t know the difference between a heavy, clubby flute and an elegant, great player. On the internet nobody knows you’re a dog.
There are many people on this list pretending to be really good players with lots of experience. These guys don’t know jack yet they offer opinions of crappy flutes as if the flutes were wonderful. They don’t know enough to play a hard D, or even know what it is.
I got some good advice privately from some experienced players. But it’s hard to winnow through the chancers. What we really need is an impartial review of the people who post to this list.
Looks like the tide has turned in the last week or so and the message board has switched from flutemaker bashing to reviewer bashing! Fair enough I suppose, just seems like something is missing without the flutemakers themselves having at us for their pound of flesh as well
Now seriously though (because it must have escaped me) who here (doing reviews) ever claimed to be a great player? I certainly never have, nor can I remember any such claims by others.
four months waiting list
The price 460 Euro
