Going Open Hole/Inline After 23 Years -- Any Tips?

[pbrain]

Hello! I guess this is my introduction:

I started playing flute on a Gemeinhardt M2 in the early 80's. The flute withstood many years of marching band, orchestra, jazz band, symphonic band, county band, etc. That flute was played in snow, sleet, hail, steaming summer weather, and it probably had beer spilled on it in college when I wasn't looking. (I also played piccolo and oboe in high school, but never owned those instruments.)

Since my family didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up, and since I never planned to pursue music professionally, there was no need to upgrade my flute. I always got a good tone out of the Gemeinhardt ... mostly because I had a private teacher who really pressed me on tone.

After high school I kept up with my flute playing for a little while -- I even played with a community band for two years -- but after that I didn't really grow very much. In my later college years I dragged my flute to parties to jam with various folk musicians ... those are the probably the last times I played my flute in public.

After college I made a point to play my flute at least ten minutes every day just for the heck of it. I wasn't really "practicing:" I would just play songs I liked to keep up with the instrument. I noticed a few keys and springs were getting funky as time passed, but the flute always worked fine.

In 2001 I got wrapped up in a lot of projects and I didn't touch my flute for about 20 months -- I didn't play a note for a year and a half.

One night, after seeing the movie "Amelie" I wanted to play some of the music I'd heard in the film, so I opened up my flute case, brought my flute to my lips ... and no sound came out!! I was mortified. I thought I had forgotten how to play. (A similar thing happened after I had my braces removed when I was 15 -- I couldn't get a sound out of my flute for about a week until I retrained my lips.)

I kept trying and trying for weeks ... I could barely make a sound (and the scant few sounds I squeaked out were nasty). So I eventually gave up.

A year or so later my husband decided to take up classical guitar again. He offered to buy some new flute and guitar sheet music so we could play together daily like we had in college. I fessed up that I could't play my flute anymore. I was very sad and somewhat humiliated.

For two years I had really believed I'd forgotten how to play. My husband totally embraced his classical guitar and all I could do is sit and watch him pluck FLUTE PARTS ... until this most recent Valentine's Day. I was in a Cajun restaurant that had some jazz instruments on display ... on a whim, I asked the bartender if I could try the flute. Sure enough I could play their flute just fine.

So I dragged my Gemeinhardt to a music shop to have it checked out, and the store verified it's completely messed up. It needs a $300+ overhaul. A rather brutal penance for not playing for a year and a half.

Um, I liked my Gemeinhardt, and it certainly has a history -- it traveled to 12 states, two countries, and was played in the Grand Ole Opry -- but it's just not worth fixing for $300 ... it's smarter to simply buy a new flute.

I spent a week shopping around for a new flute. I tried several Yamahas, a couple newer Gemeinhardts (they don't sound the same as my old one), some cheap "Band Now" crap, and a fabulous Jupiter professional model that was way out of my price range, but it might be a new goal of mine to feel worthy enough to justify the purchase of the Jupiter.

I ended up buying a used inline Armstrong 303b. It's definitely a step-up for me in terms of required skills. The b-foot is clearly no big thing, but the open-holes are a huge deal, especially seeing how I'm a bit rusty AND I played closed-hole for so many years. The inline G poses no problem ... until I unplug it, then it's a nightmare.

I've spent the past three weeks trying to get back up to speed ... I literally went back to the beginning of my flute education. I dug up my old Rubank method books and went through them page by page as a resfresher crash course. It's amazing how much this stuff sticks with you ... I know I'm not totally where I was when I stopped growing as a flutist, but I'm reasonably close to "my best" again after a few years of not playing at all. I think I even have a better grasp on certain aspects of music theory NOW than I did when I just rotely memorized scales and stuff as a kid. On the downside, it seems as if all BAD HABITS return with a vengeance when you don't play for a while, so I'm battling some old, long-since vanquished form issues again.

BUT ... now I've got this inline open-holed Armstrong challenge to contend with. At the moment, the flute is plugged except for the A key (which was easy to remove without hurting the sound). Removing ALL of the plugs is a very sobering and airy experience. It sounds *almost* as bad as my broken Gemeinhardt when I remove all of the plugs.

I've been flirting with removing the F key plug starting this week, but the results are kinda hairy. I've been practicing a half-hour a day with the plug out, and another half hour with it in. Sometimes I'm fine ...other times I'm missing the hole. Overall, my tone is not so hot without the plug.

My plan is to remove a plug every week or two weeks until I can play it without any plugs. I'm raising the plugs a bit so that I can feel where the holes really are ...I have no idea if this approach will work, mind you.

So what's the best way to shift from closed-hole to open-hole ... after playing a closed-hole flute for 23 years? And that inline G ... ow. I fear that inline G sans plug.

[Collin]

Hello Pbrain.

I do not own an open-holed flute, but I have played one. Your idea of unplugging one hole a week sounds like a keeper! Stick with that idea!

Sorry that I couldn't be of more help than that.

Bye

[fluttiegurl]

I would strongly suggest trying to "Train" your fingers as you go. While the plugs are still in, make a special effort to feel for them as you play. It may even take a change in hand position. Make sure that you are using the fleshy part of your finger and not the tip to close the holes. Also make sure that your fingers are not hanging over the keys. As you adjust, take them out. I generally have students take them all out the first week except for the A key, which sometimes take a little more time, but that method does not work for everyone. Do whatever is best for you, but try not to go back and forth with the plugs in and out. Don't be discouraged if it does not happen at once. Finger placement is key in playing an open hole flute. Good luck and enjoy!

[ick27]

Why not just leave the plugs in? I don't think plugs change the sound out all.. The reason why flutes have open holes is because of it's history--the first flutes had no keys, so the fingers covered holes. When keys began to be added, ring keys were often used over the holes so the hole was still covered by a finger, but you pressed a key down as well. When the tone holes were enlarged padded keys had to be used, but they kept the hole in the center so it felt more like a ring key. Now days, the only real reason for having open holes is to take advantage of special fingerings or quarter tones that involve leaving the hole partially or fully open while closing the key. I've heard that open holes promote better hand position, but I'm if that's true or not. I have seen bad hand position used on open hole flutes and good hand position on closed hole flutes.. I personally play an open hole flute because I'm used to the feel of it, but if you learned on a closed hole, it might be easier to just use plugs on your new flute.

[pbrain]

Thanks a bunch for the suggestions!

As for leaving the plugs in, I'm not entirely against that nor would I feel totally defeated if I choose to leave them in ... once I actually learn to play margionally well without the plugs. I like the idea of being able to grab any old flute and be able to play it whether it's open holed or not. I had a friend who played semi-professionally who chose to re-plug her flute after a fashion because she said she could play faster and cleaner with plugs. I'd rather be able to make the decision knowing I could play a flute with open holes. It's a challenge for me ... if it proves uncomfortable or it's not conducive to decent playing, I'll gladly plug it up. But I'd like to at least try to meet the challenge.

fluttiegurl: I've raised the plugs a bit out of their holes so I can feel the clammy rubber. Oddly, the A key was the easiest plug to remove. The inline G is a new thing since my old flute was offset ... I'll probably get used to it in time. If I have any serious position problems they're related to my right hand, which I have a habit of pulling too far back as opposed to having my hand wrapped around the front of the flute (I have long, spindley string bean fingers). My pulled-back hand/playing with the fingertips was a bad habit I broke when I was around 15 ... but as I said, all bad habits seem to return when you don't play for a year or more.

Thanks again for the ideas.

[embum79]

I don't think there's anything wrong with leaving plugs in. I know for me, the hardest would be the inline g key... I just find the inline positioning very unnatural. The plugs are not going to make an iota of difference in your sound. The biggest change will be the upgrade in quality and possibly the metal (not sure whether your model is all silver), not the open holes.

Congrats on starting to play again! Isn't it wonderful?

[Burke]

[quote="pbrain"]Hello! I guess this is my introduction:

I loved reading your story, and I understand about the history of your flute. I have a guitar with a similar, nearly life-long history. It's part of me, and will never be far from me. We have been to a great many parties through the years, and have enjoyed a fine relationship in solitude as well.

Congratulations on your new acquisition. I just purchased an Armstrong 80 B (offset G), and I'm very happy with it. Among the flutes I tried (Sonare and one other that I can't remember now) was a Jupiter. It wasn't a DiMedici, but it was supposed to be something comparable, marketed specifically for one music chain. I don't remember now why I wasn't as pleased with it as I thought I'd be when I read about it.

The Armstrong was a more reasonable price for someone at my level, but I was just very happy with it. In the end, I didn't decide based on price, even though the savings was a bonus. I'm leaving the holes in my Armstrong plugged for now, but I want to eventually remove them in the way that you're suggesting.

Or not. I just wanted the option.

The only difference that I'm noticing now with the B foot is the quality of tone when I play the low C. I'd finally found my way with that note on a C foot, but it sounds airy with the B Foot. I keep working.

I don't have any tips. I'm new, but our very trusting choir director at church keeps throwing flute parts at me. Now I have two to do for Easter and one for Pentecost. My fluting experience is going against the grain of all that is reasonable and rational! I finally have a flute teacher, but I'll have to wait for two other students to want to take lessons on the same day that I can take them. Until then, I'm working on my own, and reading and absorbing everything here. At the moment, I'm just doing the best I can to please a terrific choir director.

All I can say is I wish you the best. It sounds like you've got a good duet partner in your husband, so I suspect that this is going to contribute to a great dimension in your family life.

[boglarka]

Hi,

Well, you've got plenty of advice, but let me put my 2 cents worth in!

Knowing a bit about muscles and nerves in the human hand, this is what I suggest if you want to remove plugs:

Remove plugs one at a time. Do not remove additional plugs until you NEVER make the mistake of not covering the hole completely (if you're not covering the hole, your tone will be airy or you won't be able to sound the tone you're attempting at all).

Start with your right hand index finger, as this finger is easy to control (there's an independent nerve that controls this finger).

Then, move on to your middle finger (either hand). This finger is also pretty easy to control, as it has one nerve that sends commands to it.

Now, move on to the middle finger on the other hand.

Now comes the harder part:

Our ring finger and pinky (and to an extent, the middle finger) share the same nerve!! Therefore, it takes a long time to teach our ring finger and pinky to move independently. Keeping this in mind, remove the last left hand plug and be conscious that your hand position will have to change a bit (you'll have to "grab" the tube more and curve your fingers onto the keys). Remember that the preffered hand position involves breaking your left wrist slightly. Look in the mirror if you're not sure about your own positioning. Usually, the left hand position changes for the better when playing an open hole flute because you'll have to be more accurate with finger positioning.

Lastly, remove the right hand ring finger plug. This is perhaps the most frustrating to learn because the right hand pinky does so much work independently (especially on a B-foot flute)!

SOme people never remove the plugs, or don't remove all the plugs. It's not a big deal, but open hole flutes offer you some fun tricks! For instance, you can play sliding pitches which some contemporary music requires. Also, if you find yourself going flat on certain pitches, VENTING part of a hole will raise the pitch and you won't have to worry so much about going flat!!! These are some advanced tricks that you don't have to employ but can make life easier at times!!

Good luck to you!

[pbrain]

boglarka: thank you for your input. Your suggestions "feel" the most right for me. My right index finger is the next finger to go unplugged. Thanks again.

Actually, thanks to everyone for the ideas. And yes, it's nice to be playing again. I really missed it. When I sought to repair my Gemeinhardt, I wasn't initially planning to upgrade to a new flute requiring any new skills, but it'll be good for me in the long run. Even before I went a stretch without playing I had become very aware that my playing had not taken any steps forward in a long time. Perhaps the novelty of a slightly new instrument alone will inspire new progress.

The Gemeinhardt might yet be stuffed and mounted to preserve its legacy. Haven't decided yet.

** Hi Burke! ** Congrats on your new Armstrong as well. Yeah -- I landed a shamefully good $deal on my Armstrong. It was one of the better flutes I tried, but the price is what really cinched the deal (and doomed me to feel obligated to learn to play open-hole).

Among the flutes I tried (Sonare and one other that I can't remember now) was a Jupiter. It wasn't a DiMedici, but it was supposed to be something comparable, marketed specifically for one music chain. I don't remember now why I wasn't as pleased with it as I thought I'd be when I read about it.

Oh wow ... that wasn't my experience with the Jupiter I played at all.

Let me be honest: I knew/know very little about flute brands, especially not brands that weren't popular in my high school circa the 1980's ... that means everything but Gemeinhardt, Yamaha, Armstrong, and Artley ... in that order. I hadn't even heard of "Jupiter" as a flute manufacturer. I picked up the DiMedici instrument and tried to play a chromatic scale, and I giggled at how easy, loud, even, and clean the lowest and highest C notes came out ... as effortless as it was perfect. You could stuff your mouth full of marbles and cotton and the flute could have still played itself. In fact, the sly salesman didn't tell me how much the diMedici cost when he first had me try it, and I came back gushing about how it was the best flute I'd ever touched. I wasn't surprised when I heard the price, yet sadly, I am probably not worthy of such a fine instrument even if I had two grand to casually throw at a flute. It's something to work toward, though.

Anyhow, yeah Burke -- it's fun playing with my husband's lilting guitar. When I first met him he was primarily a trumpet player who had just started on guitar. Now he could barely play notes on a trumpet last time he tried, but he's made great progress on guitar and bass.

A few weeks ago we started learning songs from a book of celtic flute/guitar duets for St. Patty's day. The songs are easy enough to play but the steady jig-tempo makes my new open-hole adventures pretty hair-raising. Fun stuff, though; accessible for new players and folks like me trying to get back up to speed.

[Burke]

I wish I could remember what it was about this Jupiter that didn't sway me. It wasn't a DiMedici, but I couldn't discover the differences. I called Jupiter before I went in, and asked one of its reps about this, and he couldn't tell me either. He knew the flute I was talking about though. Maybe it's just that I couldn't find the information I was looking for. I'm wired to be bothered enough by something like that to make myself believe that there's something wrong with the flute itself. Moreover, the sales person kept referring to the Sonare as a Powell. It's not a Powell. If I understand correctly, it's got a Powell head and a Chinese body. I didn't like the subterfuge enough to go elsewhere. The conversation had a flavor of that stereotypical used car sales pitch. As much as anything, that killed the sale. He didn't read his customer.

The right sales person might have sold me that Jupiter, but I'm delighted with my Armstrong.

Everything Boglarka said about the features of open holes is why I wanted them. I didn't know this much about removing the plugs until now though. I thought I'd wait until I was with a teacher before I started doing this, but maybe I'll begin to remove them in June. I'm hoping they'll call me to tell me they're ready to start lessons by then anyway. I just don't want to change anything on my flute until I get through the music I have to play for church. I don't think I'll be asked to do anything for them until next Thanksgiving, so I'll have plenty of time to get used to any changes over the summer.

I like your choice of music to work on for St. Patty's Day. I bought Celtic Music for Flute on a whim, because of the accompanying CD. My Celtic roots made me do it. I play to any music that strikes my fancy right now. I'm having the trouble of disciplining myself to stick to reading music because of this tendancy to play by ear, but I'm doing that too. I'd been away from reading music too long, but it's coming back.

Oh yes! About your Gemeinhardt: I wouldn't be surprised to find it displayed in a prominent location in your home one day.

[powayflute01]

I don't think the salesperson wasn't necessarily wrong to refer to the Sonare as a Powell flute. You're right that the flute has a Chinese-made body and a Powell head, but it's still considered a division of Powell. Sonare was kind of created out of Powell and they list their flutes on their website with the Powell flutes. Additionally, when I wrote to Powell last summer inquiring about their flutes, they did tell me they had a new line of flutes coming out called Sonare. Though I think the salesperson would have been wrong not to explain the difference between a Sonare and a Powell.

Basically, my experience with Jupiter flutes is that I dislike the student models but really like the DiMedici. The difference is incredible. I found the student model hard to play and the keys on the one I played were strangely hard to push down. The DiMedici plays wonderfully, though. One of my friends in high school had one that I would play on occasionally and I felt that it was a pretty good flute, though I wouldn't trade anything for my Prima Sankyo artist model (except for maybe a REALLY nice powell...)

Last year, I went from playing an inline flute (my flute of 6 or so years) to an offset one. I didn't really have much of a choice, since I liked the flute a lot and got a really good deal on it, although I hated the offset keys. You might want to leave that one as your last plug to take out, just so you can get used to where it is.

[Burke]

I think that not going into detail about the Sonare was part of it, Powayflute.

Ah! You jogged my memory. I recall now that the Jupiter didn't feel as responsive as I was expecting. I was hoping for something more after I'd done a bit of research on the DiMedici, given that this was supposed to be a comparable instrument. The keys of my Armstrong are much more responsive. Now I'd really like to try the DiMedici, just to see the difference.

[pbrain]

Oh joy!! I was playing last night (after under a week of playing this flute with raised plugs) and I removed the right index and middle finger plugs. I could play pretty well -- three plugs in, TWO plugs out. I got cocky and tried playing the flute with no plugs ... I played through two songs without plugs, and although I did make a few deformed notes here and there, my open-holed playing had markedly improved from the last time I tried to play with no plugs at all (which sounded like a train wreck just last week).

That inline G is my worst key at the moment ... worse than my right ring finger.

I'm returning to the "one plug removed per week" plan, but the outlook is definitely improving.

Thanks for all the suggestions ... it seems as if pieces of everyone's tips are helping me immensely.

[powayflute01]

That's great to hear! Definitely take your time with it, though. If the G is the last one you need to remove and it takes you a few weeks to feel comfortable with removing it, it's perfectly normal. I think tried to do a plug a week when I started playing open-holes, but slowed down toward the end.