Thank you. It’s because the flute is in all other respects VERY beautiful and I am convinced it can be done right
in a way it was meant to be by the maker. I once actually asked Bryan face to face if he would alter the flute
to strengthen the low D. He refused. The look on his face…
I do play other flutes, but I’m fascinated by this one.
Hi Jim,
I wonder if you had Bryan play this flute when you were face-to-face with him. How did it play for him? That would certainly rule out any problems with the flute.
Jay
Peter in fact DID describe alterations made to a Byrne
I would like to to go look for a quote there Jim. I assume you are thinking of this thread.
I can assure you that thread was not posted with the Byrne specifically in mind. The mention of alterations to that flute was merely one of a few occurring at the time that triggered that thread. As is pointed out in the thread itself:
I seem to remember you did quote tuning issues of the bottom note as a reason for chopping it.
About beginner status Jim, I suppose we could quarrel. But let’s not, let’s just say you don’t think you’re a beginner. You have been at it a few years. You also have posted yourself on youtube to show the extend of your playing. We live in musically different worlds, we agree to disagree.
I did note the fact that very recently someone mentioned the special approach needed to make the lower end of a Rudall (type) speak properly. You jumped at it to ask what it was, it seemed this thought hadn’t occurred to you. Only a few days ago you were already giving advice about the same issue. It seemed you’re quick learner. And now you’re back on the same issue as a stumbling block.
Let’s say it all baffles me to no end.
[edited to fix a cut and paste error in the link to the alterations thread]
''On my flute the bottom notes were OK, I like a flat low D, it was the second
octave that was the problem. I had the problem confirmed by a flutesmyth
before I had any work done. I’ve played flute for over six years and I’ve
dealt with odd tunings. This was something else. ’
As you are shooting wild and we are sliding back into something nasty, I’ll leave the thread.
Best wishes to all, yourself included.
I need to point out you, and nobody else, invoked my presence here with your sloppy quoting and there was no need for all this at all. I would have been more than happy to stay out of this.
IMO, bottom D comes and goes from time to time; that’s just life. Forcing it isn’t going to make it happen. Also IMO, if you try to push Bryan’s flutes too hard you are guaranteed go out of tune. Try going all floppy with it – open your embouchure slightly (make more of a soft pouty “o” with the sides of your mouth closed) and make sure you’re not clutching the flute, pressing it into your face, or otherwise deadening it through pressure – and see what happens. Roll it in, roll it out, and experiment with where your mouth has to be to easily achieve a nice round bottom D (no edge); then overblow to middle D without raising your L1 finger; then let your jaw drop slightly so the note can fall back down to bottom D. Lather, rinse, repeat about a hundred million times before you even consider trying to put more of an edge on the bottom D’s tone. Then only do it by degrees – see how little you can get away with to achieve a change.
You might just be getting in the flute’s way; this happens to a lot of people. And it is possible to have too tight an embouchure. Having an old-school embouchure myself I struggle with it all the time, and I remember I had to be very conscious of it when Bryan and I swapped flutes for an evening b/c his flute was more sensitive to such things than my Murray. Super-nice flute, though and totally of the “less is more” school. Being as Bryan is a lovely relaxed player, I’d take a cue from his playing as to how his flutes go best. So why not try the floppy thing for a bit and see where it takes you?
Gosh, you’ve a way with words, Mr Gumby. I find I’m mortified by how often I agree with you.
Mr Gumby, or whoever you are, your credibility is shot when you say:
“I did note the fact that very recently someone mentioned the special approach needed to make the lower end of a Rudall (type) speak properly.”
This was in fact Jim.
And when you say:
“You jumped at it to ask what it was,”
In fact it was me who “jumped in”. Any objections?
And when you say
“Only a few days ago you were already giving advice about the same issue.”
That was in fact Jim kindly answering my query.
Mr Gumby, if you make such a cockup of quoting someone you evidently regard with libellous enmity and contempt, surely you can’t expect anything you say, in whatever guise, to be taken seriously?
You would be well advised to have a lawyer explain your position, in the past and now … Be warned.
I can explain my own position if you don’t mind:
That is what I referred to when I said:
That was on this thread
Then yesterday, in reply to your query Jim, just as I described, came out in advice:
Which was covered by my:
So, before lecturing anyone on their quoting, make sure you get your story straight. Statements about not being taken serious in the future may come back and bite you on the arse if you don 't. And ditto for the libellous enmity and contempt bit.
Looking forward to your apologies.
Have a good night.
Is there a full moon out?
Best wishes to all.
Steve
It doesn’t look like keithsandra is going to apologise for the way he addressed me above. Retraction of the whole fiasco doesn’t seem on the cards either. Threatening with lawyers while pulling exactly the cock up he erroneously tried to accuse me of. There’s great irony in that, isn’t there?
Let’s leave it at that, shall we?
Here’s the thing: if the hard low D is there some time, even if only one time, then you know that there is nothing wrong with the flute. You also know that there is something wrong with yourself. I think Jim came at this in good faith. He does not hand out advice as often as he used to, which is a good thing. He still has some things to figure out on the flute, much like the rest of us. In fact, like all of us.
My own approach to embouchure development is to blow as softly as I can high in the second octave and into the third octave. I try to get just a whisper of a sound and still have the note be clear. Then I know that my embouchure is focused and that my low D will be solid. People often blow too hard in an attempt to compensate for an undeveloped embouchure. Try playing as softly as you can, still producing a clear tone, in the upper octave. It will do wonders for your playing in the low octave.
I appreciated the helpful, specific, and constructive posts from Cathy Wilde and Julia Delaney. Can’t say I have the same appreciation for all the posts to this thread.
FWIW, I admire Jim for his honesty, willingness to ask questions, and willingness to learn in public. This takes a lot more courage than hiding behind an avatar.
Hugh Brock
Me too. Thanks for the kind words, Hugh. I think all of us agree that the problem is not the flute.
Will take these helpful suggestions to heart.
To Mr. G, I must say that I admire your writing, which manifests considerable command and intelligence, IMO.
I am much affected and impressed by this sort of thing, and by the intellect that generally underlies
it. I have the feeling we would like each other in person.
Thanks to all, Jim
megathanks
Jim, I have experience with this. You may have a crack inside the flute bore that cannot be seen. I had this and it became a reservoir for moisture. The flute would get increasingly gurgly as I played. I finally had it looked at and repaired. Never a problem since.
I always liked the name “The Soggy Bottom Boys” for a group.
I guess some of you guys doing all the posting should be in it 
Boyd
ps// just be glad you all have any sort of a bottom.
I know a man 10 miles from here that has a Pakistani Special that is both topless AND bottom-less 
Nah, we’re The A**e-Wipes. 
And we’re (of course!) hard (Izal only, no extra soft stuff here). ;-D
.
Good point, I would check the sockets, as cracks can open up after they get soggy. I think I offered to look at the flute a Couple of years ago, maybe it is time “to sharpen the saw”’ Jim… 
First I must follow Cat’s instructions fifty million more times.
In truth the flute plays the way it did the day I got it.
Thank you for the offer.