I heard Kieran Ohare a few months ago, and now I think I have started to fall into the trap…
I play the GHB’s Also I have a bellows blown SSP on order.
But when I heard Kieran… WOW! I lloved the UP’s, but than I play a pipe already. I loved his flute the most, though. What is it?? He said it was a “traditiional” flute, sounded very hyper Nothing like modern flutes That is what I fell in love with.
I know whistles gateway into pipes, but are whistles and flutes the same way? And how expensive is one of those flutes anyway? I can afford the whistle. I most definatley could not afford a UP practice set. All my money is in scottish instruments at the moment
I have searched the forums. EEP!!! I need help… I couldnt make any sense out of it.
The flute you saw Kieran play is sometimes called a “Concert” flute, a “Simple System” flute or sometimes just an “Irish” flute. The first two names refer to the flute’s history. “Concert” referring to the standardized concert pitch of A=440 and “Simple-System” referring to the key system. They come in various pitches though D is the most common.
Before what you call the modern flute existed, these were the flutes people played… wooden flutes with 6 open holes and keys to make them chromatic (able to play all key signatures). These flutes became popular with Irish music and even though the modern flute became popular the old wooden flute lingered in Ireland. The open six holes work almost exactly like the six holes on a whistle.
Up until the last 20-30 years any flute player would have to track down one of these old flutes but now there are several makers who make them specifically for Irish music. Since most Irish tunes are in the keys of D or G, a keyless D flute is sufficient and this is the standard model of most contemporary flutemakers.
As for the cost of one of these… a wooden, keyless flute averages about the same as a basic GHB (without silver mounts). Adding keys naturally causes the price to go up. There are less expensive options in the form of flutes made of plastic, bamboo, or alternative woods.
Hah, you’ve been sucked into our world and there is no way out now…
Whistle is a gateway instrument into flutes, too - same fingerings, half holing, etc. It is hard to get a good embouchure to actual play notes, but you’ll get it with practice. The tradional flute was a conical keyless, likely wooden, flute or perhaps a keyed flute (keyed like a UP chanter to hit accidentals).
The good news about flutes is that they’re not as expensive as pipes. You can get a good cyclindrical PVC one that will serve you well for only $80ish, a good starter wooden wooden flute can be anywhere from $250 for Casey Burn’s folk flute to over $1000, and machined conical polymer flutes run about $400. Keys up the cost quite a bit, but for most traditional Irish music (not sure about Scottish - I think keys are needed for that a bit more) keys aren’t needed and many old players stipped off and plugged key holes.
Aaron- I am just 14- I play with the Chicago Caledonians g4, currently in 1’st place
Althought I have been playing since 1999, my teacher was… yeah. Just in the last year have I really been improving.
My pipes… Dont blame me, but I was 8 when I got them.. are drumrans, not the best pipes out there… Better than pakistani pipes though!! And I got lucky- they are actually quite good Assorted blowpipes and a McCallum chanter. I want Naills or something as good!
Good on you for starting young and with a teacher. I started at 16 without a teacher and it’s been uphill.
The most in-depth book so far is Grey Larsen’s “Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle”. This book is massive and its only fault is that it is a little too in-depth and a little too verbose but it does cover both whistle and flute and comes with CDs.
My favorite is “Timber - The Flute Tutor” by Fintan Vallely. It’s more succinct but very clear and effective. It may be a bit advanced but if you’ve been piping for a few years you should do well.
The accompanying recording is hard to track down. If you choose to go with that book PM me and I can locate a recording.
You’ll find the rigorous work you’ve done with your GHB technique will reflect in whistle and flute playing.
I would recommend starting on whistle. I am also a GHBer my band’s logo is my avatar we are a grade 5 band located in north/central NJ. I play McCallum AB4s by the way with a poly chanter and use Ezee Drones and McAllister Chanter Reeds (yes Oak Trees as they call them). I would recommend starting on a Doug Tipple Flute (search ebay) it is a great begginner’s Flute andreally just a great Flute all around and since you are 14 (been there myself just two years ago obviously I am 16 actually I started GHBs then) you are proabably a little short on cash and the Tipple is not expensive yes Pakastani Flutes are about as good as there GHBs. Have fun with those SSPs.
He is definately the loudest flute player I have ever heard. His flute is a fully keyed Pratten design, which means his flute cost several thousand bucks.
I don’t remember who made it for him, though.
Check out Patrick Olwell, one of the most popular makers for pros and amateurs alike for the high end prices. I almost had one of those things, but medicine took priority over the flute…
Patrick Olwell
PO Box 117
Nellysford, VA 22958
USA
Tel: 1-434-277-9215
I agree 100%. The fact that you are familiar with gracenotes & ornamentation means that when you start to play the flute these will be second nature to you. It is this ornamentation (along with breath control) that will transform your playing from lazy, legato playing into pulsing, rythmic music.
I’m not so sure that I agree that starting on the whistle is a prerequisite of playing the flute. If you want to play the flute - start playing the flute!
“Timber” by Fintan Vallely is a great starter book, as Aaron says. The best tip I can offer, however, is to listen to as much flute playing as you can, in order to hear what you are supposed to be playing.
So, Aaron, how are things going with RMM - and are you coming to Glasgow in August?
“Timber” by Fintan Vallely is a great starter book, as Aaron says.
Except – don’t follow his instructions on holding the flute to the letter. He recommends holding the right arm way out from the body, which puts unnecessary strain on the shoulder and wrist that will screw you up over time. (I speak from experience.) Other than that it’s a fine method.
I find that my wrists are my best guideline: the straighter I keep my wrists, the longer and more comfortably I can play. Also, this keeps the arms up and away from the body which helps with posture and breathing.
Don’t give up on the UPs yet. Try getting just a chanter and bag and use the bellows from your smallpipes (when they arrive). This should reduce the cost of your practice set considerably.
That’s a good little tip, there David. That should knock the cost of a practise set down considerably.
Well, Graham, the band is sounding pretty hot. The tone is big and clear and the playing is tight. It’s an MSR year which is a nice change from the inescapable medley in North America. We’ll be in Glasgow on the big day. It should be a good contest.
Thanks! I do want to stay away from the pipes for at least 4 years- when I have a job They get too expensive. (Regs, anyone?)
I will start on the whistle first- earliest I can get a halfway decent flute is next year. (Edited out stupid comment )
Now to convince my parents I am NOT crazed, I actually do want to learn 3 more instruments. SSP’s, Whistle, and flute. However, on the smallpipes I already know a lot, and just need to learn bellows and better pressure control, which will help me on the UP’s if I ever get into them, and the playing style. The whistle could be considered a flute “practice chanter” (GHB)
I redommedn the Bill Ochs book. Hey your parntes buy you insturments don’t take that for granted they stopped for me after I got my PC (yes a Whistle is like a Flute PC). Don’t try to jump right in on one of those Pro flutes they are not that easy to play you should get a beginner’s model first. From what the U Pipers tell me is that jus because you can use Bellows on SSPs does not mean you can on UPs it is a quite different system just remember to have fun with every thing.
Sorry to disagree with you on this. The people that have the least trouble in transferring to UPs are those that can play one of the other types of cauld wind pipes, certainly they find it much easier than those learning UPs as thier first melody instrument.
My parents buy me instruments??? Why wasn’t I informed???
I just have a minors bank account Not bad, but my parents think I am nutters about this music stuff
I wasn’t expecting to buy a pro model first- I was expecting to do more of a whistle, (Or 3 ), PVC flute, (Any links?) Then a nice model. Something tuneable and a little nice looking.
The folk flute is a DARN good flute. There are quite a few players that really like them a lot, including JessieK on this board. Everyone that played Renee’s fell in love with it and we made several sales for him over the last year. So don’t go prejudging something before you do any research.
Another good flute, and the one my wife currently plays, is a Bleazey in mopani. It is a good flute too. Phil does not have the big name recognition, but he does quality work for a fair price. I currently have each key of his whistles as well.
Good luck…you’ve lost some of us! You want something halfway decent but a Folk Flute will not do? Casey’s Folk Flute is bargain. Do not confuse “bargain” with “halfway decent”. Its good.
Also I have a bellows blown SSP on order.
WOW! I lloved the UP’s, but than I play a pipe already. I loved his flute the most, though. What is it?? He said it was a “traditiional” flute, sounded very hyper 
Nothing like modern flutes 
Assorted blowpipes 
and a McCallum chanter. I want Naills or something as good!
I actually do want to learn 3 more instruments. SSP’s, Whistle, and flute. However, on the smallpipes I already know a lot, and just need to learn bellows and better pressure control, which will help me on the UP’s if I ever get into them, and the playing style. The whistle could be considered a flute “practice chanter” (GHB)
Not bad, but my parents think I am nutters about this music stuff 