I am still out into the world of flutes and adventures abound, long ways to go still.
Currently I play most on my tipple eight holed flute which is the loudest I have (dixon 3 piece D poly and the tallgrass Eb).
Can you tell me which other flutes do have more volume/ are louder.
I don’t need to play in sessions yet I would just like to know / try those.
I have a clue the Hamilton’s are on this “louder flutes” list?
Which others?
thanks
berti
Seerys have plenty of volume.
Eric
I would say that no matter what flute you decide on in the future, that you talk to the manufacturer to see if they can change the embouchure and hole sizes to match the flutes intended use. They may already have a flute designed for this. I know Skip Healy does this with his fifes at least. One thing about changing the holes is that the spread of the holes may become more difficult to reach.
May be a better question is which model of flute is the loudest.
Remember that just because a flute can play loudly, does not mean that it can do so easily in tune. Good luck.
When the piccolo player makes a mistake, every one knows it.
Seery’s are loud. Copleys are louder, at least they carry
farther. I have an Olwell unlined boxwood that carries
about as far.
I agree with Jim. Seery is loud, Copley louder.
But my new Hamilton is A WAY louder than these two.
A way!
I can blow almost as strong as my body can, and it still keep its note.
A canon.
My J. Gallagher Pratten is very loud as well. I swear after I blow a very hard note, I can hear a sort of tinny resonance from floor registers or other thin metal objects near me.
Of course, the ‘tinny resonance’ may be the empty space between my ears.
I’d be interested to see actual decibel readings from various flutes played side-by-side by an experienced player who could maximize each flute’s potential. Probably like the type of timber deciding a flute’s tone - the true volume might not vary as much as we’d think between Rudalls, Prattens, etc.
Cheers,
-r
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I suspect that there is a significant difference between a single measured aspect such as decibels/SPL, and perceived loudness. While there are certainly flutes which lend themselves to “louder” playing than others, and there is a lot to be said for anecdotal evidence of several generations of players within one style, factors such as the strength of various partials, the context (venue and other instruments creating the aesthetic background), and the (for lack of a better phrase) “performance energy” of the player will have a strong effect on perceived loudness–which might not jive with the measured dB.
Speaker manufacturers frequently submit their equipment to “shootouts” where objective measurements are taken, but also the subjective judgement of acknowledged experts is taken into account.
All a rather verbose way of saying: YMMV and the consensus of a group such as this will probably provide good guidance.
Paul
Ok thanks for the replies…now I have an idea of what I should look for to try out first
If I am right the line up is as follows, loudest first: hammy, copley/ olwell, seery.
Would be interesting indeed to see a db comparision on flutes while being played… any takers???
Greetings
berti
Hi Berti,
I would have to say that Terry Mcgee’s Pratten flute is the loudest flute that I have ever played. I didn’t check the db on it but you almost need ear protection when playing! 
The flute was one of Eilam’s famous colletion, as you may know Eilam has a nice collection… Maybe he can check the db on it. By far the nicest flute was his Rudell & Rose! 
Jon
Jon makes some loud flutes himself,
some modeled after Pratten and some after R&R,
I’m a R&R kind of guy, but that McGee is the loudest flute I have ever played.
If anyone is looking for a 6 keyed Pratten, I need to sell some of my flutes, and stick to one or two (not 15!), I just can’t get myself to list it on ebay.
I would ask better:
Who are the loudest players?
I mean that I’ve seen some players getting an incredible volumen in any kind of flute, because they know how to do that, if the flute is well designed, being Rudal type, Pratten type or whatever. The most loudest sound I’ve heard was in a Murray. Then the player take my Wilkes and the sound was incredible again. It’s the player, not only the flute.
Regards.
Serafin.
I would ask better:
Who are the loudest players?
I mean that I’ve seen some players getting an incredible volumen in any kind of flute, because they know how to do that, if the flute is well designed, being Rudal type, Pratten type or whatever. The most loudest sound I’ve heard was in a Murray. Then the player take my Wilkes and the sound was incredible again. It’s the player, not only the flute.
Regards.
Serafin.
I would ask better:
Who are the loudest players?
I mean that I’ve seen some players getting an incredible volumen in any kind of flute, because they know how to do that, if the flute is well designed, being Rudal type, Pratten type or whatever. The most loudest sound I’ve heard was in a Murray. Then the player take my Wilkes and the sound was incredible again. It’s the player, not only the flute.
Regards.
Serafin.
the loudest flute I 've ever heard is the Hamilton 5keys owns by davy McGuire…It’s simply incredible! also an antique T. Prowse has a lot of volume but just talking of new makers, if you want an irish session flute, just buy an Hammy
Frank
obviously it’s the player, because with out the player the flute is silent, but ask any player and they have one flute that is louder then the rest of them.
I really hate reducing a flute to: is it loud or not, but I also never play in situations where I can’t hear my self
are louder flutes harder to play in terms of say needing a tighter embouchure or requiring more air?
how do martin doyle’s flutes measure up in terms of volume?
I’ve had a Hamilton keyless for a few weeks now, and am still adjusting my emboucher to it, as it is a lot different than the Burns folk flute I’ve been playing for the last ten months (my first flute). Anyway, I picked up the Burns after not playing it for two weeks, and WOW! It’s LOUD! The stronger emboucher the Hamilton is forcing me to develop makes a big difference in the Burns. The sound now reverberates back from corners in the room, and glasses in the cupboard rattle. So it wasn’t the flute that was quiet, but me. I guess a good player (which I am not) can make any flute as loud (or quiet) as he/she wants it to be.
I’ve had a chance to put a sound level meter on both John’s Rudall & Pratten Copies. They were just about the same - if not the same in terms of db. The Rudall does take up less sonic space though with the Pratten giving the feeling of being louder. Boy when you really lean into his Pratten the flute just shakes in your hands!
So in terms of loud… Sometimes it’s just perceived loudness we’re talking about. I’d be surprised if a Copley & Seerys were much different if at all in terms of db.
My .02 cents
Best,
Hello,
Marcus Hernon is one of the most powerful flute player I´v ever heard.
He can take the power out of any instrument.