I have finally understood the difference (somewhat) between Pratten and Rudall because I had a chance to play them. What is the characteristic of Prowse? How does it differ from the other two? Thanks.
Contemporary prowsish copies include Dave Copley’s flutes and michael Copeland’s.
These are said to be mid-way tween prattens and rudalls, combining
some of the power of the pratten with some of the sweetness and
focus of the rudall. I’ve played them both and it seems to me they
do something like that, but I’ve never played an authentic Prowse,
so perhaps someone who has can give more info.
A friend of mine plays an original Th. Prowse “Nicholson’s Improved”. It’s rather medium-holed (as compared to the big-holed Nichsolson’s Improved flutes). It’s an elegant flute to play, but also capable of a very big sound. It splits a bit earlier than my Pratten (air stream pressure). Original tuning is a bit awkward, but has been corrected with blobs of wax. Needs a bit less air than my Pratten, but more than most Rudalls I tried. As to the tone, it sounds like me. Or like my friend if she plays it. It’s a good flute.
I played a Casey Burns Rudall and LHS. His folk flute was like the both combined. Would you say his folk flute is Prowse-like? If so, then Prowse is my favorite out of all of them.
I think the FF is rather its own sort of beastie. Anyhow it’s not much like
the Copeland or the Copley–both of the ones I played had a fully lined headjoint.
I second Gabriel’s comments about hole size and power.
I hate to ask this, but does anybody have a sound sample of one? I found that Rudalls are a little too quiet and sweet for me, and Prattens are great tone, but very hard to control. On the other hand, I am used to just my one FF.
There are some videos of Copleys on Youtube, some played by
Zac Leger (sorry, spelling, someone?)
Zac Leger on Copley flute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lF3zlExhwY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHyneOnyISs
David
Ahh.. Bless you BigDavy. Thanks for that.
I’ve played that flute! Not the same one but that very one.
Unless you’re using the same headjoint on different flutes how are you able to tell what differences are caused by the body style? Because in my experience the headjoint has more effect than the body.
Why do you have a single category for Rudall style flutes given that they vary widely?
How can you tell anything meaningful about a flute from a clip of someone playing it that you download off the internet?
Cheers
Graeme
Wait, did I miss something?
Its not just “body style”.
The bores are totally different from Rudal > Pratten’s
If you’ve got your lip in order you can dial it in pretty quickly and you can tell the differences right away.
I can do it blind folded.
I’m sure there is at least something to be gleaned.
Its a nice looking flute… Zac can sure play the heck out of it… ummm… and he might need a haircut. 
I think also there are clips of Dave C’s flutes on his site.
Search on Dave Copley flutes or Celtic Lands.
Hey Jim,
Dave Copley’s flutes are based upon Hawkes models. Not Prowse.
Michael Copeland’s flutes are the only contemporary flutes I know of based upon Prowse models.
The following table is lifted from Terry McGee’s website ( http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/movers.htm ):
Haircut?
Oh, Aanvil!
During the day I keep my hair tied up, but otherwise I can tuck the bottom end of it into the back of my pants.
blind folded and tied up…
you two better be careful!
LOL
Can you see this image?
Thanks for the correction.
Here’s Doc Jones on Michael Copeland’s flutes, from Doc’s site (used flutes).
‘Michael Copeland, one of the world’s finest whistle makers, also makes excellent Irish flutes. The flutes are beautifully crafted and have excellent tone and response. The Copeland flute is based on the Prowse. Playing characteristics are between a Rudall and a Pratten. They have good volume and “bark” but still have a lovely, sweet top end…just very nice. :0) Comes with a Copeland case.’
Dave C says on his site that his flutes are a combination of the features of a Pratten and a Rudall,
a bit more on the Pratten side of things, I think.
So Copeland and Copley are fishing in the same waters. This was my impression
playing the flutes as well.
There is a Copeland right now on Doc’s site, also a Copley I believe, both used.
Actually, I’ve known a number of women who’ve said that they wished they could have hair such as mine.
For instance, “How did YOU get THAT hair?”
