Two completely unrelated questions.
On many days I’m able to have, say, 15-30 minutes at a time playing but will be able to play again in another hour or two. Question: is it ok to leave a plastic flute (e.g. M&E) together for long periods of time? Or, is it bad for the flute to break it down and then reassemble it multiple times during the day?
I’m presently learning a Jig called Humours of Ballyloughlin. I’m (trying) to learn it by ear from a solo flute recording. The very first part of the B section sounds like the person is doing a long roll on C natural. Having NEVER entertained the notion of doing such a thing, I had to look up the fingering (in McCulloughs Tin Whistle Tutor book). What an absurd fingering! Do many of you do these long rolls on C natural? Just curious.
Regards,
Jeff
You won’t hurt a polymer flute a bit by leaving it assembled all the time. No worries there.
As for C-natural, I roll it this way:
o x x | o o o (note)
o x x | x x x (grace)
o x x | o o o (note)
x x x | o o o (tap)
o x x | o o o (note)
For me this is easier than the McCoullough fingering, but it’s really whatever works best for you on your flute. C-natural is a roll you may have to “play with” a while before you find a way that really works for you.
I was told by Michael Cronnolly of M&E that it is better to place the polymer flutes, if assembled for a long time, on a level surface. Less unequal stress on the joints I suppose.
–quote–
I was told by Michael Cronnolly of M&E that it is better to place the polymer flutes, if assembled for a long time, on a level surface. Less unequal stress on the joints I suppose.
–endquote–
This is also good advice for a silver flute, and for the same reasons.
Even better for either one would be a vertical stand. Dr. Steinquest used to have a stand with a wide base and a long thick dowel (slightly less than bore diameter) that he used to keep his main flute on in his office.
A vertical stand works better because moisture drains out of the bore. On a keyed flute, that’s better for the pads. On a wooden flute, that’s better because the bore won’t have the strain of unequal expansion due to water “sitting” in the lowest part of the bore.
However, on a wooden flute you should always dry the bore after every playing, and you should never leave a wooden flute assembled when it is not in use, as this can damage the tenons. On a polymer flute, neither is an issue. However, if you have a keyed polymer flute, you should still dry the bore after playing for the sake of prolonging the life of the pads.