Okay, this is a bag of worms, I know, but hopefully someone has had to make this decision before. I’m new here, but am returning to flute - I’ve been playing strings for the last 20 years, and my hands (the left) won’t take the strain anymore, so it is back to woodwinds for me. So I need to get a new flute. I’ve got an older concert flute, but I prefer simple system. I know, this is a lengthy intro, but while I’ve lurked a bit, I’m unkown here, and perhaps it helps in getting the best from the responces.
The problem is I have to travel for work. Lots of air time, and a new city every week, day whatever.
I don’t have alot of time for care and maintenance.
I know plasitc is great for this, but I’ve come across so many posts about out of tune M&E or Seery flutes that I am hesitant. Is this really a problem? the other approach seems to be get a Healy because the joints are metal so cork swell wouldn’t be a problem.
I am leaning towards the Healy or the M&E R&R. (More the Healy, as I’ve gotten older and rather pampered and fond of nice instruments ) It seams to me that the metalic joints, and especially the 2 piece (fewer end grain cuts were splits seem to start) of the Healy would be ideal for me as a well playing durable flute. However, my logic is often wrong, and I thought it best to appeal to the public before droping my money.
Oh, the nice thing on the M&E is I can get it fully keyed and stay in budget .
Can’t go wrong with the M&E R&R model… Personally, my travel flute is a keyless blackwood Lehart, but used to be an M&E R&R. I haven’t had any problems travelling with this flute because of climate, but its not a very expensive instrument, figured if it cracked, at least I’m not out thousands of $$$ as I would be for my main 8-key flute.
Healy flutes are great. M&E flutes are great too. There are so many choices. I wouldn’t worry too much about mainenance for a wooden flute, especially if you get a keyless. Just carry it with you in the cabin, use a ziplock bag to keep the moisture in, oil from time to time, it will be fine.
I haven’t played a M&E R&R, though I’d love to try one, but I do have a Seery. I love it. It’s easy to play. Took some time to get used to, but now… I can get a good variation of voice. Play loud or soft. And of course it’s a snap to maintain. Just a thought…
I haven’t played an M&E or a Healy, but my Seery is not out of tune. If you prefer wood though, go with the Healy. As someone who also travels a lot for work, I really like a polymer flute for travel. It’s not the cracking I’d worry about, but the absolute indestructability of my Seery. Sure I take it in carry-on, but I’ve had folks ahead of me try to cram things underneath the seat where my flute is, had it fall out of the overhead once, and it’s absolutely fine…which I’d not be so sure about with a wooden flute.
Blackwood flutes, Healys included, (and perhaps in particular; they’re very rugged, well-made flutes), will do fine traveling. The fragility of all wood is greatly overstated, and blackwood requires much less care than the other woods, given a degree of basic common sense. Obviously, delrin flutes are that much more indestructable, but you should play the flute you most enjoy playing, not simply look for indestructability. Seerys and M&Es have their fans, so I’m not discounting them, but if you like a blackwood flute more, such as a Healy, I wouldn’t let your travel schedule get in the way. Keep it in an indestructable, insolated case when you travel – that’s half your battle won right there.
Gordon
I will just add that the plastic flutes are
in tune. If it were me and I was going to
be on the road for a long while, I’d
see if I could find a way to travel
with a blackwood flute.
Yes he does, but somehow I’d just feel dirty asking him to build me a $1500 plastic flute. I know it would play great and all, but I’d just feel dirty :->.
And that is also about 2X what I wanted to spend … otherwise I’d have to sell one of my stringed babies, and I’m just not ready for THAT type of empty nest empty nest!!!
By the way - thanks all for the replies, and great board! I love it that you all give your honest opinions and nobody gets bent out of shape. Too many places out there take good advice and opinion as a personal affront.
Thanks All - and I’m still gather info (hint hint)
I have found that if you smile sweetly and tell them (at airport security) that it’s a flute before you put it through the x-ray machine, they are fine with it. Bear in mind, though, that I am a Caucasian female.
Hey - I just remembered that Hammy sells a student/practice flute for about 70 Euro – has anybody played one of those - that might be just the ticket - indestructable, perhaps a little quieter, cheap enough to allow a waitlist for a nice blackwood
There is one of Hammie’s practice flutes on eBay right now, and the price is good ($75 buy it now I think with free shipping in the US). Search for “irish flute” and it will come up. I’ve never played one before, but cylindrical bore flutes just never sound the same to me as a conical bore. Also, the one piece construction would seem like a travel nightmare to me.
Another option if you prefer wood is one of M&E’s wooden flutes. If I recall correctly, his blackwood is about $400 or so or even Casey Burn’s starter flute would be great for travel since it’s only wood with no slide and thus less prone to cracking.
Well, the pistol cases at the bottom of the page would probably be better for a flute. And I’ve taken mine on the plane (carry-on) with no problems at all from security. Once they even searched my bag, but didn’t give it a second look (apparently my wife had forgotten about the 2-inch blunt embroidery scissors in her cross-stitch bag, which is what they were looking for). The case is small enough to fit into a fairly small duffel bag that I use for carry-on, it protects the flute very well, and you can even put some accessories like a cleaning stick (and maybe a whistle or two) between the foam and the outer casing.
) It seams to me that the metalic joints, and especially the 2 piece (fewer end grain cuts were splits seem to start) of the Healy would be ideal for me as a well playing durable flute. However, my logic is often wrong, and I thought it best to appeal to the public before droping my money.