I have just listened to a bunch of Irish flutist.
And it seems to me that on some notes
and especially at the end of phrases they make a note sound
louder; it is like a resonating note very unlike most other notes.
At first ( because of my lack of knowledge) I thought that it was just a blowing mistake
but then realized that top very good flute players are almost always doing it.
Sounds deliberate and part of a technique.
whatever it is, it sure sounds good.
What is this, is that the chiff..
I don’t even know what a chiff means.
Thanks,
Ronald
I think you’re talking about the “honk” and yes, it is cool (and fun to play as well). I think it is unique to “our” music - really adds a lot, imho. I think what you’re really hearing are additional overtones generated by a little more forceful blowing into the flute. If you listen closely, the honk is what you get just short of an octave break. I’m sure more knowledgeable people will chime in, but that’s my 2 cents worth!
Pat
knowledgeable? 
post a link to a clip w/ time the player does that so we’s sure we’re guessing what yer talking about
You mean something like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_BLcC4Mr1E
The different sounds on the bottom note are found on lots of other ethnic flutes. On some Native American flutes the bottom note will “warble” (almost a yodel) as it breaks from one octave to another. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo5FcVmfVb8 for an example. Very desirable in the historic Plains flute, not so much in the contemporary Native American flute.
Best wishes.
Steve
Yes Yes Yes Lorenzo,
In fact I was just going to write that I have absolutely no idea on how
to post a video example and was going to suggest going on his site to listen to him
as an example.
Only this morning thanks to a member did I discover Cona O’Grada and it is especially with his playing
that I realized that those beautiful whistling notes are deliberate.
what is that?
Ronald
Never understood how anyone can play with the flute on their shoulder, but still going to buy his book! 
Not my favourite style of playing sounds too breathy to me - ok to cut through in a session I suppose but I prefer this sort of playing
Typically referred to as a “hard Low D” on the flute (probably a reference to the, similar, piper’s hard D accent). A great ornament for emphasizing the rhythmic structure of most ITM tunes. As you have noticed Conal O’Grada is particularly known for this, though he certainly isn’t alone (look for some of the recordings posted by member Arbo for example). Achieving an effective hard D is something a lot of us work toward. I’ve noticed that certain flutes appear to have easier to get, or stronger hard D, but that may just be me. As with most else on these flutes, the player component is a critical one.
thanks guys
that is exactly what I wanted to know.
Hard D…
Yep, it certainly does sound like the note when a piper lifts the chanter
off the knee to play D. I think that
's how they do it
Ronald
Gorgeous…melting away 
While you are listening to the clip of Conal O’Grada’s. you will see links to several clips of Patsy Hanley’s, for some lovely examples of ‘old school’ playing. Not bad for a lefty. . . 
Bob
“Not my favourite style of playing sounds too breathy to me - ok to cut through in a session I suppose but I prefer this sort of playing”
JohnB.
No, that’s too pretty and girly for me. Needs more honking, huffing & puffing. I like the raw, wild, psycotic serial killer type sound. Conal’s your man or Pat Mahon 
I definitely agree with Steampacket
I’m not familiar with Pat Mahon though and can’t find almost anything of him on the web…
Pat Mahon was a friend of mine. I haven’t seen him since he got his hands smashed. Brilliant. Troubled.
too pretty and girly
?? So does that cover anyone who doesn’t play in that pulsing / breathy style ?
Like McGoldrick, Crawford, Malloy etc. etc.
I’ve read (K. Krell on thesession) he can still play. I’d love to hear a recording of the man…
Pat’s doing alright. I inquired about him a month ago and he’s being looked after and get’s taken to a session now and then. I heard him playing in Brennan’s, Tubber, 1999/2000, after his hand was smashed, and he was brilliant. Even more powerful than Conal. He just stood there in the pub, tall, thin, deep set eyes, beard, with his cap on and played his heart out. Never heard anything like it before or since. The lady I was with at the time recorded it. but I’ve since lost touch with her. Othannen I believe the only recordings of Pat Mahon are probaly private recordings, although he did play on the radio back in the day. He’s a great singer too. I can only imagine what he was like in his prime. There’s a photo of Pat without cap playing on the street in Brendan M.'s “Trip to Sligo”, although he isn’t named.
I like Molloy, the rest not so much 