After reading a lot of posts in this board and surfing around on the web, I still have a few questions left.
First of all.. it seems that the Olwell bamboo flute is a good starter. But.. the ordering time is about half a year now and well.. I’d like to start as soon as possible grin So, another choice would be a dixon PVC flute or maybe a Hamilton practice flute.
This brings me to my second point, I can’t figure out if this Hamilton practice flute is in normal D or low D, which makes quite a difference for me.
Anyone else have some recommendations on cheap flutes that perform reasonable well? (btw. cheap means less than 100 euro or dollar for me)
The wait time on an Olwell bamboo is 30 - 60 days. I just got my Olwell Bamboo F last month. Order directly from Patrick Olwell not through House of Musical Traditions. Do a search for Olwell Bamboo on the message board, you should be able to find his number. I’ve also read good things about the Dixon 3 pc $189 at http://www.thewhistleshop.com if you can swing a little more and the Almount PVC $50 (do a search for that one too, I don’t remember the website) but I haven’t tried either yet. I’m sure some of the others here will be able to give you more info than I can. I’m just a beginner myself
Good luck and have fun.
\
-Jim
I may never be the best, but I can always be better than I am now!
[ This Message was edited by: Jim_B1 on 2002-12-13 08:51 ]
Hi Sithe,
As far as I know a flute in D is like a whistle in Low D. Tony Dixon’s pvc flute is the same size as his low D whistle. I have the pvc practice flute (1 piece). I think it is fine as a practice instrument as long as you are aware that the tuning across both octaves won’t be as accurate as a conical bored flute. The term “practice flute” might be taken to imply that it will be easy to play, I did’nt find this to be the case, you still need to spend time developing your embouchure, the big advantage with a practice flute is the cost. I could try to post a clip of me playing my pvc flute to let you hear what it sounds like in the hands of a beginner (5 months)
It’d be great to hear a sample from you.. especially as you’ve only been playing for 5 months now!
I know of the 3 piece Dixon, but think it’s a little expensive when you include shipping cost. Hmm.. don’t think calling Olwell himself isn’t really an option for I live in the Netherlands, and I think giving him a call will be more expensive than the flute itself grin.
Here’s the website for Alan Mount’s flutes: http://www.geocities.com/zozm/
You might want to check out the “Flute for” thread just a little bit down this first page for additional comments.
Susan
Hi Sithe,
I’ve mailed the tunes to Clips & Snips, don’t know when they’ll be posted though. I hope my playing does’nt put you off, it’s not the flute’s fault.
Cheers, Mac
p.s. The vibrato is’nt on purpose, just nervousness.
I’d be very gratefull if you could send me the email adres of Olwell Jim. I hope he checks his mail now and then grin.
Susnfx thanks for the link, another practice flute to add to my choices. Good thing he added the samples to the page!
Oh and MacEachain, thanks for your trouble! Haven’t seen or recieved any sample yet, but I’m sure to find it somewhere… Where can I find the sample, urm… I’m quite new around here hehe.
Hi Sithe,
I tried to send the recording to Clips & Snips. You can link to the website from the Forum Index. I recieved an e-mail from the site owner saying that there was a problem with my recording so I’ll have to do it again. I could e-mail it to you direct if you like.
Hi Sithe,
I eventually managed to send my clip. Its up now on clips and snips. Go to http://www.tinwhistletunes.com and click on new players you’ll see it. I’m afraid I did’nt get a very good tone, that usually happens when I try to record. The flute is capable of a harder (reedy?) sound, it’s just that I can’t always get it.
Good quality on the sample there, and it’s a quite a lovely song you’ve played there. Thank you for letting me hear the 1 piece Dixon, the sound is better than I imagined.
Thanks Jim for the e-mail adress! I’m still not sure what to choose.. going for a rather cheap beginners flute, or investing a bit more in a good one. Hmm.. maybe I’ll stick with the three piece polymer Dixon flute.
Hi Sithe,If you are interested in a Dixon 3 piece polymer flute,then why not buy direct from Tony?You will find his website in ‘Chifflinks’. I have no commercial link with Tony whatsoever,but i have bought instruments from Tony on two occasions,and have found him to be a perfect gent.I own one of these flutes,and,as i have said before,they are a GREAT deal for the money.I don’t think that you would be disappointed,if it’s a poly. flute that you are after.Also,i had my flute within 3 working days of ordering.Enjoy your fluting,whatever you choose!
I just send an e-mail to the adress at his website to ask him some questions about the polymer flute, but I’m actually considering ordering immediately after I get a reply.
Sure thing it’s quite some money, but not really for an Irish flute I realise now. Hopefully I will be pleased with it and maybe one day I’ll even “level up” to a more expensive one grin
Got my Dixon 3 piece in today! What a great instrument .. um .. to look at, because I can’t get some decent tones out of it grin
Well actually I’ve been able to get some notes from the lower octave out already and I quite happy with it. My goodness my fingers hurt already after a few minutes of playing hehe.. gotto stretch them a little.
