when to take plugs out?

[fluteplayer09]

how long does it generally take before you can begin to take the plugs out of an open holed flute? I already feel fine with my right hand first finger does that mean I can start to take the plugs out? Also how long should I wait before I take the next plug out?

[woof]

My best guess is that you already know the answer- when ever you feel you are ready. I think that people with smaller hands may have some trouble covering the holes but with a little practice most can get used to the open holes. Actually there isn't much advantage to the open hole. I have an open hole flute and really like the feel of the keys better than a plateau style flute but otherwise the plugs created no problem when they were in. They are out now and sometimes I have a bit of trouble with d# but then.... You be the judge and good luck.

[Zevang]

You only will be confident about getting off the plugs, when you actually play without them...
Practice is the only way to develop. So, my advise is to begin practice without them immediately.
You'll have to adjust fingers, for sure, and perhaps even posture to make your hands reach the holes to be closed. But remember not to play with the tip of your fingers. Use the soft portion located below the nails.

Zevang

[flutepicc06]

Yes, whenever you feel ready is the right time. I suggest removing them one at a time (or if you feel more are possible at once, go for it). That'll let you focus on just one problem at a time rather than just throwing you into the deep end. The G and D keys are normally the most difficult to keep covered, so remove those last, and if necessary, don't be afraid to leave a plug or two in. The open holes are not needed by most people anyway, so there's really no need to unplug the flute at all unless you are looking to get some extended effects, notes into the fourth octave, or pitch shading.

[MeLizzard]

ASAP!

[fluteguy18]

I would remove all of them ASAP. It will be difficult for a few days to play that way, but once you get used to it, you wont want to go back. I honestly dont like the fact that flutes come with plugs. Every person I know who had plugs, when they took all of them out (by my suggestion) they could play with open holes in about 2 days. Afterwards, their technique was better, and they were'nt absorbed by the whole: "when do I need to take out my plugs" Issue.

I would personally take them all out, put them in a bag, and put them somewhere difficult to get to. Leave the plugs somewhere where you cant get to them when you practice (school locker maybe?) And, after you can play without them, it wont matter if you lose one.

[Phineas]

I would like to make a suggestion to you that will help you out with getting use to openhole, and inline G flutes. See if you can get your hands on a Tranverse Bamboo flute. Playing on these type of flutes helped me greatly not only in getting use to playing on open holes, but having more control and flexibility of my embourchure. Not a conventional approach, but people that I have suggested this to have had wonderful results. Not to mention the cool sounds and colors. Here are 2 places I have ordered from in the US.

http://www.eriktheflutemaker.com/
http://www.sunreed.com/

If nothing else, these are interesting websites to check out!

Phineas

[woof]

http://www.eriktheflutemaker.com/
http://www.sunreed.com/

Great sites Phineas-

[Claiken]

i found i was able to take all of mine out within a couple weeks of getting my new flute. i took one out right away, and took 1 out everyday. it worked for me.

[fluteplayer09]

thanks for the input i have taken out my right hand 1st and 2nd finger already and am getting used to that quickly

[flutepicc06]

Great! Those usually are th easiest to remove, as the fingers tend to cover those holes the most easily. Some of the other holes may be slightly more difficutl, as you may have to stretch a bit to cover them, but with a little time, you'll get used to it. As I said, though, if one hole just doesn't work for you (as some people experience), don't be afraid to keep that hole plugged. Chances are you'll never need to unplug it, and it won't hurt tone or intonation to keep it plugged up.

[fluteguy18]

I agree mostly with what flutepicc just said, exept the tone and intonation thing. In my expieriance, when I would put plugs in a flute, and then take them out, I have been able to discern a distinct difference in my sound (sound as in playing with plugs, and playing without plugs). It is my opinion that it does change the way the flute sounds if one has the plugs in.

Of course, my suggestion for when to take plugs out was rather drastic as well, so others might not agree with this comment. I am just of the opinion that the flute was designed to be played with open holes, or else the holes wouldnt be there. So play with the holes, and chuck the plugs into the trash bin.

But, do what you want. it is your flute.

[flutepicc06]

I agree mostly with what flutepicc just said, exept the tone and intonation thing. In my expieriance, when I would put plugs in a flute, and then take them out, I have been able to discern a distinct difference in my sound (sound as in playing with plugs, and playing without plugs). It is my opinion that it does change the way the flute sounds if one has the plugs in.

Of course, my suggestion for when to take plugs out was rather drastic as well, so others might not agree with this comment. I am just of the opinion that the flute was designed to be played with open holes, or else the holes wouldnt be there. So play with the holes, and chuck the plugs into the trash bin.

But, do what you want. it is your flute, and your life.

I have to ask you though..Did you notice the difference primarily in Bb, A, F#, F, and E, the notes associated with venting at keys with perforations? This should be the case if the open holes mattered in the slightest to the sound of the flute, but you never hear players with open hole flutes commenting on how much better these particular pitches sound than the rest of the chromatic scale. Most likely what you hear is psychological (you think it should happen, so you make it happen) rather than having anything to do with whether the plugs are out or not.

[fluteguy18]

I dont think it is psychological. I thought it sounded differently before I had ever heard of the whole 'it was designed that way for a reason' concept. It might be slightly a mental concept, but yet I dont really think so. Plugs have a little bit of weight to them. any weight added to a flute changes the way it plays ( look at crowns.... they affect the sound, and it is mostly about how much they weigh). Even when I was listening to someone play their flute, I heard them play a piece, then they took the plugs out, and played the piece again for me a few days later, and there was a world of difference in the tone (or at least I thought so...... and then I later found out they took out the plugs). And the difference wasnt something you could do in the period of 2 days.

Oh well. It doesnt really matter. I think it changes the sound. Some people obviously dont. But, take out the plugs one at a time if you want, or take them all out at once. It is your decision. You know my advice. You know everyone elses. Do what you want.

[fluttiegurl]

If I may chime in, I have found that with some players, it can make a difference. To be honest, I do think even some of that is psychological, if you expect a difference, there will be a difference. However, there may be something to the weight thing. Yes, different crowns can make a significant difference due to balance. After watching a student play with plugs in then out, I discovered that she held the flute differently, bringing the keys more parallel to the ceiling. This changed her tone because it changed her lip position as well. I think it had a lot to do with the plugs extruding from the tone hole slightly, but some plugs are made to sit slightly inside the key.

A person playing a piece after a few days is not a good judgement either (sorry). Conditions vary from day to day. I know that I will sometimes sound off at times. I am not even sure that a good judgement can be made by playing the same piece twice in a row. Did that person practice between performances?

Who knows Does it matter? Well (thinking out loud) the flute industry is a major money maker. Students and pros alike spend thousands of dollars on them. I recommend that a student purchase an open hole flute at some point, but maybe that is because I was taught the same way. I guess they have to be there for a reason, and I don't think it is to "bend" notes and all of that junk. How many of us actually do this? The main thing is, we play what we like, and often times, what our teachers like. PLugs in - plugs out - closed holes - if you produce the sound that you desire, none of this really matters.

My opinion on the original post, get them out as soon as possible. Otherwise, there is little point in having an open hole flute. I like students to go cold turkey, but if that does not work for you, don't. Do what works for you.