[on topic]
Howdy ya’ll, a little over a week ago I bought a 5-piece, small bore, medium hole, delrin, R&R from http://www.somers-flutes.com/prices-contact and can’t wait to get my hands on it. I recently read about the controversy of having threads on flute tenons at Effect of thread wrapping - conclusions and was wondering if having threads on a delrin flute would have any impact on the tenons since it’s not made out of wood, I assume it’s fine since Mr. Somer’s flutes have gotten positive reviews with no mention about the tenons, but I just want to be sure as I’m new to irish flutes coming from a boehm flute. Also if anyone has and plays this flute, I’d appreciate a link to a fingering chart you recommend as I’ve looked over a few and have noticed conflicting fingerings on some, these are probably from it being a different flute maker or it being a cross fingering, but since I’m totally new to these keyless flutes I have no idea really. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.
[off topic]
I think I’m having flute withdrawel for the first time which is kinda of unusual for me as I normally pass off playing flute for playing video games. However, I think this is changing as I’m not a part of any school bands anymore and can play what I want, as I’m motivated to practice by what I play, if I like it, I’ll practice. All was well until about a month or 2 ago in which I noticed, to me anyway, I was sounding worse each regular personal practice which I think might be from the pads wearing out and I really don’t know anyone I trust close by where I live in the Philippines to take a look at it. So, I’ve pretty much stopped playing as it’s hard for me to stand the sound I’m making and am awaiting my keyless delrin. Anyway, I’m kinda of crazy with anticipation since I’m hoping it will come this week and as a side post to help me endure the wait, does anybody have any favorite non real flute players or makers? I think mine are found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IErXg5kBXXg, first I think Donald is an awsome flute maker, or is that a fife?, he produces so many, so quickly and even snaps one in half, the cow flute player in the band is equally awsome as she plays what I think is a 9 hole keyless flute and even plays one handed in at least one segment.
[closing]
Sorry for the long post it’s just that the flutist side of me has grown alot larger since my purchase and continues to grow each day I wait and the video game side of me ain’t keeping it in check like it used to, if this keeps up I might go mad and grab some nearby bamboo and start drilling holes! Thanks again for any help related to the main topic, really appreciate it. Dang, just remembered that my college pre-final exams are next week, if I get the flute this week it could mean a 3-way internal battle between flute practice, studying and video games with flute practice the likely winner
I got the 5-piece Pratten model from Doc’s Irish Flute Store and love it. I put some plumber’s tape over the thread to keep it in place and it works fine. (Don’t worry–you won’t damage it.)
I have this exact flute. I love it! The threads don’t bother me at all and I think with delrin, it will be fine.
As for the fingering chart, other than the simple D major scale, I find that I get a very solid C (for the G major scale) with this fingering: oxoxxx in both octaves.
I have the same flute as well and am very happy with it. With some practice, and you seem likely to do enough of that, you are sure to as well. One thing to be cautious about is that the embochure required for a conical flute is a bit different than what you are used to from your Boehm flute, so don’t get discouraged if at first things seem a bit difficult. A little time working at it will pay off in spades.
As far as the thread wrappings, no worries about the Delrin getting affected by those I would think. The issue with the wood flutes seem associated with the wood swelling against the thread wrapping, not the other way around (but lets not go there). In any event, unless you get the flute hot enough to start distorting, the thread wrapping is unlikely to make any difference. Personally I think that Gary uses slightly too thin diameter thread in his wrapping, but that is just my pickiness. Someday I may rewrap mine, but I certainly haven’t need to, or to use teflon tape the way I did with my older M&E Delrin flute.
For a fingering chart, you can use one for either a simple system D keyless flute or a D whistle. There are plenty online. If you need help finding one I’m usre someone will get you a link.
Good luck with your playing, and keep posting your progress. The folks here are very helpful.
Thanks for the replies, I’ll probably try out the fingering chart at M&E first, seems straight forward enough http://www.irishflutes.net/mef/Fingerings.htm. Hopefully next week, I’ll receive the flute, but one never really knows in the Philippines. Interesting you guys mentioned taping threads, never seen it mentioned, but first things first is I need to get my hands on it. Ya, I’ll probably won’t sound that great starting off, but I bet I’ll sound better on it, than on my boehm flute that probably won’t get repaired/checked out till I’m back in the states which is over 6 months away. Sorry if I sounded kinda crazy in my first post here, I think I’m currently a little more insane than usual.
Just to add a quick note on the threading on my flutes.
If the tenons start to feel a touch loose, even after adding grease, you can just put a couple more wraps of thread on the tenon. It’s just the usual, thin polyester sewing thread, also used by some other makers. The lapping trough for the thread is turned shallow to suit the thinner thread and it wouldn’t easily take a thicker thread - and cork wouldn’t fit well either, for the same reason.
