Orpheo Composite Flute

Flute History and Instrument Purchase

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MissyHPhoenix
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Orpheo Composite Flute

Post by MissyHPhoenix »

Phineas asked me to let y'all know what I thought about a new flute I ordered -- the Orpheo Composite. It came in yesterday and I stayed up 'til midnight playing with it.

The advertisement was right on about the flute sounding like a wooden flute -- it has a bit of a "buzz" to it, if that makes sense, but not in a negative way. It almost sounds like a very upgraded recorder. I am pleased with the playability (is that a word?) of the flute overall, as I was able to pick it up and go right off the bat. I'm not 100% accurate on the higher ranges yet, but it took me months to get that together on my Yamaha too, so I know that's simply me. It's a very different type of sound, not the bright, vibrant one that I get from my Yamaha and Amadeus, so I'm enjoying the change. The vibrato on the flute is phenomenal!!!! It picks up the vibrato and sings! I did notice that I can't project quite as well as on my Yamaha, but maybe this is simply a matter of getting more used to the instrument.

I don't think I would ever buy this type of flute to be my #1 instrument, but for something to play around with for a different sound I'm happy with the purchase. I agree with the advertisement that this would be a good flute for jazz or blues (which I don't play) , but I'm also enjoying it for the baroque music, too. It causes a bit of a stir when you bring it out because it looks so different from the regular silver flute. It really does look like a wooden flute, even down to the "grain". I look forward to playing with my chamber group (the renaissance music) to see how it blends with the other flutes. I played it last night with another group on "Barber of Seville", but didn't like it for that type of music.

Hope I didn't bore anyone. I like new things (gadgets especially) so if I try something else new, I'll let y'all know, if you're interested.

:lol:
Missy

Why Be Normal????

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pied_piper
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Post by pied_piper »

Yes, please give us another report after you've had a chance to put it through the trials, so to speak...
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--

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Mark
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Post by Mark »

excellent.! :)
So many instruments.... so little time.... :)

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atoriphile
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Post by atoriphile »

Is this the Richard Egües Model? I found information on that here:

http://www.orpheusmusicalinstruments.co ... egues.html

Do you know if they make and inline version? It doesn't appear so.

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MissyHPhoenix
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Post by MissyHPhoenix »

Yes, that is the model. It doesn't appear to have an inline version.
Missy

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MissyHPhoenix
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Post by MissyHPhoenix »

Update on the Orpheo, if anybody's interested .....

I believe my original impression is holding up; i.e., I like the flute overall, but would not put it as my top choice. I'm enjoying playing it with the chamber orchestra on the renaissance music, as it gives a tenor recorder kind of sound, adds a little more depth to the group. However, it is restrictive in projection and emotion, so I'll still rate my Yamaha & Amadeus as #1 for my favorite music pieces.
Missy

Why Be Normal????

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Phineas
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Post by Phineas »

MissyHPhoenix wrote:Update on the Orpheo, if anybody's interested .....

I believe my original impression is holding up; i.e., I like the flute overall, but would not put it as my top choice. I'm enjoying playing it with the chamber orchestra on the renaissance music, as it gives a tenor recorder kind of sound, adds a little more depth to the group. However, it is restrictive in projection and emotion, so I'll still rate my Yamaha & Amadeus as #1 for my favorite music pieces.
Well, I kind of figured that. After all the flute is still composite/plastic. I used a wood headjoint with a metal flute for a long time with good results. It allowed me to get the "WOODY" sound, but retail my projection. I will bet the issue you are having with restriction and expressiveness is due to the way the headjoint is cut. I wonder how it would play with a different one.

It still sounds like an instresting instrument. I will eventually get one.

Keep us posted MissyH

Phineas

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