Just wondering what people thought about hammys. I am perticulaly intrested if its easy to blow. I have never played a flute that is more easy to produce a sound.
Geeze dude, you’re freakin’ obsessed…
At one point I played the Hamilton Flute Michael Eskin used to own, I did NOT find it the easiest flute to play. It was certainly easier than my Olwell Pratten, but several other flutes I’ve played were easier.
The Copley was the easiest, the Grinter was fairly easy too, although not easy to get the volume out of. I played a Hoza Eb that was fairly easy to blow as well. All of them easier than the Hamilton.
Now Michael’s Hammy did sound and look awesome, but I think even he will tell you it was a lot of work to play.
Sounds to me you’ve already got your mind made up that the Hammilton is the best flute (for you), and now you’re just looking for validation. Don’t bother, if it’s what you want, just get one and enjoy.
Honestly though, I seriously doubt you’re going to hear from many people (who have played a variety of flutes) that Hammy’s are the easiest to blow, that’s a bit of a stretch I think…
Loren
I will concur with Loren, its a flute that will take every bit of air you can throw at it, but it also is very responsive, and with a correct embrochure, you can produce a wide range of tones at a wide range of pressures. Not a beginner’s instrument at all, but for an experienced player, its amazing. I don’t agree that it isn’t easy to blow, I’d say it isn’t easy for a new player to blow, and DrummerBoy isn’t a new player, should do great with a similar instrument.
Drummerboy: who made the delrin flute you carry around?
Jim its a seery. Great for traveling. Eskins has a M&E that I was able to play and it is also a great traveling flute. Easier to play than the seery. I just got a offer to buy a 4 keyed Hammy that was made in 1984. It has a lip plate. The head joint has a crack that was repaired by Hammy. The seller is asking 1,000. I am toying with the Idea. I will let you guys know what the outcome is. And just to think I have a Boxwood olwell on order. Im sick and I love it!!
A boxwood Olwell? Now that could be very nice indeed.
Though I’ve always found boxwood to be a bit subdued in a flute–at least from the few boxwoods I’ve played–I played Peter Noy’s flute in boxwood and was blown away. Very nice and smooth–a crooner flute! perhaps only a tad warmer than the same flute design of his in blackwood. Tempting, tempting.
Note that a new, uncracked Hamilton 4-key would cost about U.S. $1270. I think that Hammy may actually have changed the way he makes a flute in 18 years. I have a 6-key in african blackwood. Very nice, and relatively easy to play - for me, comparable to playing any of the Olwells I’ve come across. And in tune.