It seems that most flutes I see people playing at sessions (with the exception of one) are very long and have extra holes and/or an extra joint at the end. If I understand correctly, in many cases this would allow the addition of low C and B keys at some point. I’ve also heard that maybe this makes the flute more in tune and/or louder.
Are their any makers that offer a standard D flute that is shorter without this bottom ‘foot’ ?
I’m about to go investigate this on the Web so I’ll probably find an answer, but I’ll check back here too.
You might try George Ormiston, who makes fine flutes. he is accessible through the web. Tony Dixon’s are short foot, also, as are some of Ralph Sweet’s. I am sure that your web search will turn up several more.
I’m pretty sure any of the big folks would do it for you. Aebi does, I think Pat Olwell will, and I know Terry McGee does.
I think most makers would be accommodating with that kind of request.
Most of our (IrTrad, simple-system) flutes that have long feet have C# and C keys, not down to B. What you want would be called a D foot. Some people might make it integral with the lower hand, others might have a little part for you to stick on.
Terry McGee makes a short foot, as well. My R&R copy has a short foot, and is very loud and in tune. Some people feel that the short foot is better balanced, some find it less balanced; try both before you commit, to see what works for you.
I’m just beginning to work with the flute and will probably devote a few months to it (at the very least) before buying an expensive one, but Terry McGee’s Grey Larsen Preferred model looks good. Anyone have one of these?
Brett,
I had a Terry McGee RR Flute with a short D foot, which I really liked. The Trend however is towards the long foot which only exists because they were canabalized Flutes with keys that were taken off and then contemporary makers just started making them that way. They then became the norm. Thes so called session Flutes while quite loud and well suited for playing in big groups, make me feel like I’m holding a baseball bat or yardstick. I prefer a more diminutive Flute…
A Flute I would HIGHLY recommend would be a copy of a Rudal Rose Flute from the Dayton Miller Collection that Pat Olwell made back in the 80’s,( he calls this a Prototype), had in his shop, wasn’t interested in selling it in the past, but has recently sold it to me. It’s in D, in boxwood, 4 sections, short D foot. The Flute is Boxwood, with a nitric acid wash. I’ll use the Flute mainly for Colonial events, but the Irish tunes sound great on it as well.This Flute would be an excellent choice for someone with small hands.
This Flute sounds like a dream and without Silver rings Pat will make you one at a very reasonable price.
Ben
I myself happen to have a Hammy with a short D foot. I didn’t order it this way, as i got it second hand. I would venture a guess that there is not much of an inherent difference between a flute with the “full” foot versus one with the short foot, unless of course keys were being used. In other words, a keyless pratten Olwell with a long foot would sound the same as the same style flute designed with a short foot. However, this is bald speculation on my part, as i haven’t spent any time comparing two flutes on this basis before. I’d certainly be interested in what the word on the streets is on this issue, or what a flute maker would have to say on this issue…
I have been playing a Dave Williams flute with short foot and no keys and another Dave Williams flute with a long foot and 4 keys. I swapped heads, played each flute-body with the same head. The flutes were of the same type, same hole sizes and diameters. I found the long foot definitely more satisfying in the tone quality. I would always recommend a long foot unless you really need a shorter flute because you have less space.
I play a Dave Williams 4 key blackwood flute with the short foot. The flute is capable of more sounds than I can coax from it at the moment, but hopefully in a few years I’ll be be better at playing it.
I have a fairly new Ormiston blackwood keyless with the short foot and it sounds really good. It’s tone lies somewhere between a pratten and a R&R. It’s hard to say. Mello with a bite maybe? I have had it less than a week so Im sure it’s got some character Im a ways from learning still. The next flute I get (whether an Olwell or Grinter) will have the long foot though.