One week with cheap bamboo

Irish Flute
1

Hi,
I’ve been mostly lurking on the Whistle forum, but I have a super-newbie question or two (I have searched the archives of this forum, found some info but not everything). I do hope that my questions aren’t too naive or low-end for you serious fluters.

Anyway, last weekend I bought a cheap $20 high D bamboo flute from a local maker (SpiritSongFlutes – see below next to my Feadog).

I have to say that as far as enjoyment per dollar is concerned this has been one of the best musical instrument purchases I have ever made. I haven’t touched my whistles this week, but instead have been getting to grips with this little angel. I’ve never played anything ‘flutey’ before (I’ve only been playing things ‘fippley’ for a couple of months).
One week on I can get a halfway decent sound out of the first octave no problem. Tuning seems fine. I’m still struggling with the second octave (I know it can play fine up there because I got the maker to play it for me). I know, that’s to be expected after only a week. But, in order to get a note out of the 2nd octave (and I can’t yet get a clean one), I have to roll the flute towards me. Then I can (sometimes) get notes, and they are in tune. Trouble is, if I forget to roll it back, and continue to play in the first octave it is about a semitone flat. At the moment I’m having to roll whenever I change octave. So, my questions are: Is this common? Is it a side effect of a low-cost flute? Should I not ‘roll’ and just keep practicing untill I can get a good, in-tune note just through my lips? Should I just shut up 'cos I’ll know the truth after 4 years of solid practice?

As a supplementary Q, I’m having so much fun that I may get bitten by this. I see from the board that most of you own several $40,000 flutes. I couldn’t justify paying more for a flute than I did for my car (I drive a 6-year old Geo Metro), which means if I want to take the ‘next step’ I would want to spend substantially less than $100. I was thinking of perhaps a Ralph Sweet Folk Fife – is that a reasonable newbie instrument for someone who wants to explore transverse but is a tightwad like me? I’m not a ‘trad’ person, and I love sliding and bending and chromatics if that makes any difference.

Thanks,

Fatveg.

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[ This Message was edited by: fatveg on 2002-08-16 19:16 ]

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The beautiful thing about flute players is they aren’t as fascist when it comes to “bad habits” as, say, pianists are. Rolling the flute toward you is a fine way to get a feel for the flute. It would not be acceptable if you did it while playing for the Symphony, however.

But do it in front of a mirror, and notice what else you’re doing when you strain for the high notes. Your lips need to be a lot tighter (and the hole you blow air through a lot smaller) to make high notes than they need to be for low notes.

As for the insanely expensive flutes, those also come with multi-year waiting lists, so you have lots of time to either improve your technique and finances, or give up on the idea. It’s not quite the same as going out for a bottle of milk and coming home with a Playstation. :slight_smile:

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I started with the flute the same way that you did. A cheep bamboo bought at a fair.
You need to slow down. If you were under the impression that the flute or any instrument for that mater could pick up in a couple of weeks you will need to rethink.
That out of the way you will need to practice, practice, practice.
Try and find other players that will let you try their flutes. If possible speak the people you purchased your flute from. You will find your way and the flute will become easier to play.
It you are still interested in the instrument at some point you will want to purchase an instrument of better quality. When I moved from the bamboo to the 3-piece Dixon ($185.00) I found that it was much easier to play and the second octave was cleaner and more consistent.
I of course still need months of practice and would hope that by this time next year I am a fair flute player. In 5 years I hope to be a decent if not a good flute player.
Keep practicing and watches out these things are addictive.
I usually play on my front porch and have gone form being heckled by the local pre teen boys to complaints from my expectant neighbors when I do not have time to play