in Kinvara , at the weekend , i loaned my Hammy to a local fluteress , as she was interested in the extra long head joint . ( i use that to rest on my shoulder )
we were playing a tune for the visiting Bretons , and for it’s first real outing , i played my Doug Tipple D, with lip plate, and with the C/C# foot
( Doug had also made me an extra long head joint )
i felt that i should have been able to bring up some power , but had to back off , just to get the tune out .
while the Hammy is great for power , and she pushed it to the line , which was needed for the dance ,( we played those two McKenna thingys , reels/polkas ? and they did an interesting two handed dance )
i was still trying to get some semblance of volume from the Tipple .
by the way , i had just redone the wedge , molding it with heat , as Jem described , and it plays grand , compared to when it was just glued as supplied ( i believe Doug is now molding and fitting them supplied , good man Doug ! )
i felt that the power was there , just couldn’t find it .
so my question for the panel , do you manage to power up , on the D Tipple ?
Jim, let me see if I can provide some meaningful feedback. It is a little unclear to me about the circumstances that you are describing. For example, did you have more volume on my flute before and only found that you couldn’t push it when you were performing in that particular instance? Or have you always have problems getting volume from the flute?
If I recall correctly, the flute in question has one of my small round embouchure holes (9.7 mm dia.) and a embouchure chimney depth with the lip plate of .195". If you get the embouchure just right with this embouchure design, you can get considerable volume out of the flute. On the other hand, I think that it is easy for this embouchure to be less than a powerful performer. For this reason I decided to join the modern world and cut a larger embouchure hole. With the purchase of a simple milling machine, I am now cutting a modern elliptical embouchure (two semicircles) that is around 9.7mm x 12 mm. I think that the average player will be more successful getting more volume from the flute with this larger embouchure.
James Peeples has a Hamilton flute and also two of my flutes, although I’m not sure whether he has my latest embouchure design, or not. Maybe he can weigh in here about being able to push the Tipple flute. Jim, like you, I also know that James likes the Hamilton.
Hi Doug, Jim et al - it was precisely over that issue of being able to really push the flute and also to let/encourage the flute to speak really freely that I had reservations about Doug’s old small embouchure design and encouraged him (among other folk) to re-explore the possibilities of larger ones. I felt the small hole restricted the voice the flute wanted to give. I got stalled doing some experimental heads for the sample flute Doug sent me to do his demos on - haven’t really touched them since before Xmas - must get back to them…have ideas! The idea is I then send them back to Doug to evaluate.
Meantime, Jim, see if Doug will re-drill your embouchure, or buy another new-style head off him, or send the one you have to me and I’ll attack it… I’m confident that would solve your problem.
Jim,
please check out the clip I did on the Tipple C flute, with the rounded embrochure cut. I thought I was able to push the flute in some places. BTW, i did order another hj from Doug w/lip plate and wedge.
Arbo
The Tipple flutes I have do have pretty good volume. They are a little finicky about getting the embouchure dialed in just so, but once you find the sweet spot, they do sing.
Now, that said, in volume they cannot compete with a Hamilton. Few flutes can; the limit of how far a Hamilton can be pushed lies in the player and not the flute. Normally, you don’t need nearly so much volume, but I’ve played for dancers when I needed the power, and the Hammy’s got it. The Seery has it. The Tipple, not so much, but then again, you can get a Tipple at a very reasonable price, and it’s a real instrument and it plays well.
Love it for what it is, but don’t expect it to be what it’s not, that’s my take on it.
- must get back to them…have ideas! The idea is I then send them back to Doug to evaluate.