I’m new here, just de-lurked, having been reading some of the posts here. It looks like I’ve come to the right place - you folks really know your stuff, and already your discussions here have been infecting me with increasing enthusiasm! (much to my husband’s financial chagrin… heheh… )
By way of introduction… I’m a singer/songwriter and guitarist who has recently been bitten by the whistle bug. I’ve been playing whistle for about a month now, and I absolutely LOVE it! I’d like to branch out now and learn the flute as well, but I need advice as to what would be a good flute to learn on.
I have fairly small hands for a guitarist; I recently got a Hall crystal G flute which I’m doing fairly decently with (considering I’ve only had it four days..), but I’m having a bit of trouble reaching and getting a good seal on the bell note (is that the right term??) Would it be better to go with something smaller for now, perhaps something in the piccolo category? I do realise the embouchure/wind requirements would be a little different for a pic. I’ve been considering the Dixon soprano D flute/whistle combo, and if I went that way I’d get the C body as well, for variety, and to get a slightly larger instrument.
If a little background is any help for giving advice, I’ve been playing Oak, Generation, and Walton soprano whistles, and have done the best with the Oak D, then the Generations. For some reason I don’t do as well with the Walton ones.
And slightly OT for this particular forum: Can anyone give any advice on a good high-end D whistle? I’ve been looking at the dizzying array out there, weighing the descriptions, but could really use some informed advice. I’m looking for something with low air requirements, and hopefully a warm, almost flute-like sort of tone. If such a thing is possible… As I said, I’m still pretty new at this…
Any help would be much appreciated!! Thank you so much!
Hi and welcome. If you have been reading some of the posts here on the flute side of things you may have seen some threads on this very subject. I always recomend one of Alan Mounts pvc flutes. They are great for someone with some whistle experience. They are also great for small hands. The finger holes are offset and very easy to reach and the flute it self is quite easy to play. And I might add sounds very good. And at only 50 bucks a crack you will be able to decide if the flute is for you without risking serious cash. http://www.geocities.com/zozm/
That is Alans web site I think.
As far as high end whistles go I think the standard answer will be a Burke. But I would go to the snips and bits section and listen to a number of whistles and see what you think. I went from cheep to high end to cheep. One just never knows. Oh and remember the flute is quite a bit more demanding then a whistle so patients is the key. And keep it fun. Good luck;
Thank you, everyone! Yes, Blackbeer - I’ve been reading some of the posts on the subject, and so have checked out the sites for Almount – and also for Hammy Hamilton. They look really good – like serious contenders. I was hoping for metal, so I’d love to go with the Hamilton, but it’s more expensive than the Almount, so I may start there.
I forgot to mention on my original post that I have a VERY limited budget (my question about a high-end whistle is probably going to end up referring to a 2004 purchase - but I thought I’d start looking now in case I have to get on a waiting list or something; and at least I know I can play it… ) I’m just afraid to spend a lot on something I’m not totally sure I’ll be able to get the hang of…
In any case, many thanks to all!! I VERY much appreciate everyone’s help!
If you can play guitar, you can play a D flute though it does take practice sealing the holes without putting a death-grip on your flute. There are alternatives for fingerholes.
Alan Mount’s flutes have already been mentioned.
Patrick Olwell’s bamboo flutes have an offset bellnote (though hurry and place your order as word on the street is Patrick’s not making any bamboo flutes until Spring).
If you’re interested in a wooden flute Casey Burns has done a lot of development. Click on ergonomic flutes.
As for high-end, High D whistles it depends on what you want to spend. In the $100 range Sindts are very well respected. In the $200 range you have Burkes and Overtons, and for $300 there are Copelands. All are fantastic whistles but with different characters. Check out Dale’s guide for more high-end whistle information.
My first flute is a standard model M&E. I was able to get a few notes out of it right from the start. A great flute player I know tried it out and liked it fairly well, but says its far too heavy. It will do nicely for me for a while.
Another nice, not too expensive flute is made by Ralph Sweet.
As for whistles, you’ll get a ton of opinions if you pop over to the whistle board and post there. but if you dip a toe into the high end whistles you may never come up for air again. I personally think that Burkes are stupendous, as good as anything that costs more, and better than most things that are equally priced.
You’ve gotten lots of good advice on flutes, so I’ll just comment on your whistle question. That warm, flute-like tone you’re looking for might be found in a wooden whistle. Paul Busman, a frequent poster on the whistle board, makes what to all accounts are wonderful wooden whistles. I’d love to get one myself, but I think my wife would kill me after the two flutes I’ve bought in about the past year or so…
Also do a search of the flute forum archives using the topics “small hands flute” or “beginner flute” etc. This should keep you busy for a week or so
Tom, what are the measurements between holes (measured on center) of your Alan Mount PVC? M&E anyone? This might help her out in the small hands issue as regards spread between the holes.
(much to my husband’s financial chagrin… heheh… 
)
As I said, I’m still pretty new at this… 