I’m contemplating my coming trip to the wilderness and I just can’t fathom being away from my flute the whole time. (I’m planning a several month trek in the wilderness, all belongings on my back.)
I have a Tipple flute, but I just am not as in love with it as I am with my Folk Flute. I probably should choose that one and be responsible.
My Folk Flute has a bit of a nasty crack in the head joint, so possibly it’s risky to take it into an extreme weather/temperature situation. But I love it so. How can I be away for so long?
I have a low whistle, too, which seem extremely indestructable, but alas, it is not a flute. Maybe this should be my choice. It might even come in handy as a tool of some sort.
Perhaps I should forget them all and bring a high D whistle instead. Or even an Eb. Or heck, go ultralight and take a G? So small I could tuck it into a pocket or wear it in my hat.
First of all, a “several month trek in the wilderness,” now that’s something that gets me excited. Where are you off to? Every long wilderness outing I have ever been on has always been a peak experience for me. Never, ever fails, no matter the difficulty. The only part I have trouble with is returning to the fast pace of the non-wilderness world once the trip is over; everything seems to be going a million miles an hour but me, and it is very disconcerting for me. It makes me want to run back to the wilderness.
As for the the flute, take the Tipple, or this might be a good time for a new or used Delrin flute. I’m thinking of getting a Delrin flute for the very same purpose.
My Forbes is going to earn back its purchase price on Monday, that’s for sure! I’m actually looking forward to this St. Patrick’s Day just 'cos the tent gigs will be worry-free.
Cochran, Copley, Forbes, whatever – goooo, Delrin! Worth every penny in peace of mind.
Yes, I should be a good girl and bring the Tipple. Maybe I can bring it AND the low whistle. Hmm. I have too many things I like to do to exclude any of them!
WooHoo! The Pacific Crest Trail, and if you’re going to hike all 2650 miles of it, I say, You Go Girl!
But that’s much more than a few months, so what section are you going to do? I’ve done many trips into Kings Canyon and the John Muir Wilderness, often cross-country with some peak bagging as well. Once I’m completely retired, I plan to hike the entire John Muir Trail solo…but it’s only a mere 243 miles.
Try a Tony Dixon three piece (D obviously). Indestructable ABS plastic. Play it… Don’t even have to bother about swabbing the thing dry. Run it under the tap, job done. Fits anywhere in your bag, I don’t even bother about wrapping it up to protect it. Very forgiving of my mistreatment.
Just a suggestion
I’m going to live to Israel in a few months. As you would imagine, it’s a very dry country (most of it) and wooden flutes would require quite a lot of maintenance.
I only have a bamboo flute, which I plan to give it away to my teacher before leaving, and just buy a Tipple’s flute in 3 pieces which is portable, doesn’t require special maintenance and plays well (according to everyone).
If I had money sure I’d buy a delrin flute, but they’re at least 4 or 5 times more expensive than the Tipple and I can’t afford that right now.
So, I don’t know much about flutes, but I assume I’d agree with most people: a Tipple’s or a delrin flute.
Particularly, I won’t carry an expensive flute on a trip like yours, so I’d opt for the Tipple’s.
You can use a Tipple to beat tent pegs into the ground, dig a latrine, and make up the handle of an improvised canoe paddle. Wouldn’t try any of that with a Folk Flute.
Derlin is too heavy for backpacking. Weighs more than my tent. The Tipple is probably the best. I don’t think it would work too well for digging and pounding though.
I want to bring all my instruments! I’ll finally have enough time to play them all! It’s like being that guy in the Twilight Zone episode who ends up all alone after a nuclear bomb with all the time and books to read he could ever hope for. And then he breaks his glasses.
I think you’re right, in that the Tipple is fairly light. Earlier I was speaking in favor of Delrin, but then I got to thinking about a situation where EVERY bit of weight matters, and then I realized that the Tipple really would be a better choice.
