Hi everyone,
OK, week two of attempting to learn flute and tin whistle is nearing completion. Tin whistle is going OK, Bill Ochs is a great teacher. Flute is still giving me some problems. Is it normally a stretch for the third finger on each hand to cover the holes? It’s very tough to get those holes completely covered. I’m getting a clear sound on c#, B and A but beyond that I tend to fall apart. Any hints? Just wondering if everyone has these issues at first.
Thanks
-Jim
What kind of grip are you using?
Pipers grip or covering them with your fingerpads?
I’m not sure what exactly a piper’s grip is but if it’s when you use the area between the first and second joint, I’ve tried that and the pad of the finger as well. Using the area between the first and second joint works a little better but still isn’t really comfortable and I still can’t get a consistant note using it. It may just be a matter of building up and stretching those muscles though.
-Jim
I’ve been playing the flute for two years now and it can still be quite a workout on my hands. Stick with it, work on relaxing them and do hand stretches. It’ll come with time.
Best,
Chris
No, it’s not just you. I still have trouble getting a good seal on the d (last) hole. Or going from c# to d where you have all fingers up and then they all have to find their place quickly. Practice, of course, and keeping the last finger down when playing c# and b seem to help.
Practicing on the low whistle helps too. The spread is a bit worse on the whistle so it makes the flute seem easier.
I don’t use piper finering, but have tried it and found it worse for me. I have small hands and skiny fingers, there’s more meat on the tips then on the middle joint.
Good luck,
jb
Cheers,
jb
Playing the wooden flute is a long term project, don’t expect to get comfortable with the instrument any time soon, it’s not like whistle in that way.
What sort of flute are you playing - conical bore (Typical keyless wooden flute), or cylinder bore (Bamboo, Dixon plastic, PVC, Aluminum)? And what key? A D flute with a cylindrical bore is likely to a tougher stretch than your average conical bore instrument…
Loren
What sort of flute are you playing - conical bore (Typical keyless wooden flute), or cylinder bore (Bamboo, Dixon plastic, PVC, Aluminum)? And what key? A D flute with a cylindrical bore is likely to a tougher stretch than your average conical bore instrument…
Hi Loren,
I’m using a Bamboo D flute by Erik the Flutemaker. Any clues as to how to learn to stretch my fingers better? I’ve been practicing on the flute itself for about 5 - 10 minutes a night, after 15 minutes of tin whistle practice, and most mornings for maybe another 5 or 10 minutes before work, usually followed or preceded by 5 or 10 minutes on the tin whistle. Should I pracice more? Less? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
-Jim
I bought a bamboo D from Erik a couple months ago, and just so you know, the stretch is longer, and the finger holes larger, than on any other flute I’ve played in that key. I have pretty big hands, and no problem with low whistles or other D flutes, and Erik’s flute really challenges my stretch.
In cylindrical bore, I also have a Doug Tipple PVC flute, which sounds remarkably good and has an easier stretch. (Also have other bamboo flutes, all with easier reach than Erik’s D.) And I’ve been playing with a loaner conical-bore instrument, which is worlds easier on the hands (to me); also easier to fill and to play in the upper register. I’m considering the purchase of an R & R style M&E flute, since this conical-bore Irish flute is so much fun; difficult, to be sure, but fun.
Erik’s other instruments are unique and good, by the way, before anyone gets the wrong idea: I have an Arabian, a Vivaldi minor, and something else I forget the name of. I just find the stretch and hole-size of his D flute to be a bit of a bear (and to be honest, Erik warned me of just that when I ordered the flute).
Good luck,
Aaron
On 2002-09-27 13:53, herbivore12 wrote:
In cylindrical bore, I also have a Doug Tipple PVC flute, which sounds remarkably good and has an easier stretch.
Hi Aaron,
Thanks for the info. I saw a Doug Tipple on ebay but wasn’t sure how they were. Any chance I could get a little review about it out of you?
-Jim
Hi:
I have long fingers and reaching the holes isn’t a problem. Except: on E rolls and A rolls, even my fingers tend to contract a bit and I have to think consciously about reaching to cover the holes. Point is: it takes practice for all of us, so hang in there!
Tim
Just working with it now. I think the problem is two fold. One is the stretch of my fingers to make a good seal and the other is working on my embouchure. I’m just going to try working with B, A, and G for now to get those three clear and constant. (Merrily we roll along is good for this I think) Also, I have to try not to get dizzy when I practice 
Better wind control is a good thing! It’ll be nice when I have it.
Thanks everyone. Just slightly impatient but not very much so. As long as I’m making some improvement I’m pretty happy.
-Jim
Hi Aaron,
Thanks for the info. I saw a Doug Tipple on ebay but wasn’t sure how they were. Any chance I could get a little review about it out of you?
-Jim
Sure. I think it’d be very hard to find a better flute than the Tipple at the price (I think mine was about $25). In fact, I think you get more than you pay for, in this case. Seems like a fair amount of work goes into these.
Mine is in tune and easy to play (but not as easy to really fill as some of the finer flutes I’ve played). Mine also has offset finger holes, which I don’t like much. Makes it easy to play with finger tips, but I actually prefer playing with piper’s grip, and the offset hole make that just about impossible. If I’d known, I’d have gone for inline holes.
However, it was the first D flute I played, and I was able to play a couple of jigs and reels the first day I got it, and it sounds impressive for a piece ov PVC. You can hear it being played – much better than I can play it – on Michael Eskin’s webpage. If you do a search on this forum with something like “Michael Eskin Doug Tipple”, you’ll probably find the link to Mike’s website, and be able to hear a number of different whistles and flutes there, including the Tipple.
Cheers,
Aaron