Hi all, I wondered if anyone could advise me on the
need for a student to have a flute with offset G. I am thinking of purchasing a
Yamaha (YFL311)which I understand has in-line G and I have only been learning
for a short while with an offset G flute. Would it be a bad move? What
differences would it make to my learning progress? I hope someone can help as I
really don''t know what to do. Whistler
Offset G or In-line?
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fluteluversmom
- Posts: 295
- Joined: Sun May 11, 2003 10:22 pm
Offset G or In-line?
I can tell you that it is mostly about a
comfortable reach and it depends on each person as an individual. My flute has a
Off-set G and I play fine on that but I also can play my daughters flute which
has an Inline G. But on the other hand my daughter who has only played with
Inline G doesn't feel comfortable with my Off-set G. You should play which ever
gives you the most comfort in your playing. From what I have heard, if your
hands are smaller you may have trouble with the Inline G. So I would give each a
try and see which you prefer. Kim
comfortable reach and it depends on each person as an individual. My flute has a
Off-set G and I play fine on that but I also can play my daughters flute which
has an Inline G. But on the other hand my daughter who has only played with
Inline G doesn't feel comfortable with my Off-set G. You should play which ever
gives you the most comfort in your playing. From what I have heard, if your
hands are smaller you may have trouble with the Inline G. So I would give each a
try and see which you prefer. Kim
Some
days you catch the bus and other days it runs over you.
days you catch the bus and other days it runs over you.
-
dancingflutist3000
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:35 am
Offset G or In-line?
I really depends on what your comfortable playing.
If you had someone look at the difference between a flute with an inline and
off-set G they would say theres barely a difference at all and I wouldn't blame
them. Thought it doesn't LOOK that different it will certainly FEEL different.
What used to be a perfectly easy note to play might become a chore. But of
course if you haven't been playing that long on off-set G then may be the
change won't effect you much. Like FLUTELOVERSMOM said, if you have smaller
hands the in line G might not be a good idea because of the reach. If you have
medium or large hands (relative to the flute) you might be comfortable with the
in line G and might even prefer it. Personally if it were me, I would try
playing the flute and see how it feels/sounds.
If you had someone look at the difference between a flute with an inline and
off-set G they would say theres barely a difference at all and I wouldn't blame
them. Thought it doesn't LOOK that different it will certainly FEEL different.
What used to be a perfectly easy note to play might become a chore. But of
course if you haven't been playing that long on off-set G then may be the
change won't effect you much. Like FLUTELOVERSMOM said, if you have smaller
hands the in line G might not be a good idea because of the reach. If you have
medium or large hands (relative to the flute) you might be comfortable with the
in line G and might even prefer it. Personally if it were me, I would try
playing the flute and see how it feels/sounds.
~*~Soccer
Rules~*~ ~*~dancingflutist~*~
http://thesims.ea.com/mysimpage/simpage.php?avatar_id=11412300
Rules~*~ ~*~dancingflutist~*~
http://thesims.ea.com/mysimpage/simpage.php?avatar_id=11412300
Offset G or In-line?
Thank you for your advice. I have made the
decision to stay with an offset G for comfort!! Whistler
decision to stay with an offset G for comfort!! Whistler
Offset G or In-line?
Just wanted to add something I read from a major
flute maker Due to increasing awareness of tendonitis and carpal tunnel
syndrome, many players are now choosing professional flutes with offset G
because of the more natural hand position it provides. Besides the therapeutic
advantages, there are technical benefits to consider with offset G keys. Offset
G keys eliminate potential problems that can be encountered with the inline G
flute. For example, the inline G has many left hand keys on one steel. This can
make simple procedures awkward such as leveling pads, straightening key cups or
refitting keys. Also, stress placed on this single left hand rod by the player
or during repair can lead to a bowed or bent rod. This will leave it more
susceptible to binding than the offset G. Repairs to offset G keys are simple by
comparison. On the offset G flute, the G keys are positioned on a separate steel
or rod. The added strength of two or more supporting posts provides stability
and protection to the left hand keys, leaving them less vulnerable to damage. In
addition, a professional technician can isolate any problem without affecting
the other left hand keys. In recent years there has been a widespread trend
toward offset G. With such advantages to the player and technician, this is an
inevitable outcome. When choosing your next flute, consider the medical and
technical benefits of offset G keys.
flute maker Due to increasing awareness of tendonitis and carpal tunnel
syndrome, many players are now choosing professional flutes with offset G
because of the more natural hand position it provides. Besides the therapeutic
advantages, there are technical benefits to consider with offset G keys. Offset
G keys eliminate potential problems that can be encountered with the inline G
flute. For example, the inline G has many left hand keys on one steel. This can
make simple procedures awkward such as leveling pads, straightening key cups or
refitting keys. Also, stress placed on this single left hand rod by the player
or during repair can lead to a bowed or bent rod. This will leave it more
susceptible to binding than the offset G. Repairs to offset G keys are simple by
comparison. On the offset G flute, the G keys are positioned on a separate steel
or rod. The added strength of two or more supporting posts provides stability
and protection to the left hand keys, leaving them less vulnerable to damage. In
addition, a professional technician can isolate any problem without affecting
the other left hand keys. In recent years there has been a widespread trend
toward offset G. With such advantages to the player and technician, this is an
inevitable outcome. When choosing your next flute, consider the medical and
technical benefits of offset G keys.
Offset G or In-line?
Borrowed this from Larry Krantz pages, hope he
doesn't mind. One of the most recognized and respected experts on flutes and
what can be done with them in the world Robert Dick says Thoughts about Off Set
G Key I've been following the discussion about offset and inline flutes and
would like to offer a comment or two. Although I'm a fairly large person with
large (but not gigantic) hands, I play on the offset G and would never consider
returning to the inline. In the 1970's, I had two flutes, an inline Powell and
an offset Haynes. While the Powell was the better of the two sonically, I found
my technique was far smoother and faster on the Haynes. The difference was only
the more natural left hand position. I checked this out on with a metronome and
found that if my maximum speed for a passage was 132 on the Powell, I could play
the same passage with equal control and musicality at 148 on the Haynes! Looking
in the various books on old flutes, we see that all the original Boehm flutes
are offset. The inline was developed by Louis Lott in order to help him make the
flutes faster. That's faster out the door of the shop, not faster in our hands.
With his 19th century technology, Lott could save time by eliminating the rib
and two posts that the offset mechanism requires, about a half-day of work. What
Lott did was copied without reflection by makers earlier in this century. But
with 20th and 21st century technology, making the offset G is no big deal for
today's flute builders. The offset G is more in keeping with the shape of the
hand. Unless a flutist has a fourth finger that is longer than the middle
finger, the inline flute makes no sense at all in terms of the human body. Of
course, many players have accustomed themselves to inline flutes and feel no
need to change, and I'm not suggesting they do. But as we teach, we should
dispell the myth that inline is the "real deal" and offset is for kids. Robert
Dick from the FLUTE list - December 1997 So as you see when I posted comments
about recommending the offset over the inline unless your ring finger was longer
than your middle, it was not a silly comment from thin air. Over the passed few
years many an outstanding flute player some of whom have played for over 20
years on inline have made the switch. And for one or all of many reasons. So if
you want to know what kind to buy or recommend to others, consider what the
experts are now saying.
doesn't mind. One of the most recognized and respected experts on flutes and
what can be done with them in the world Robert Dick says Thoughts about Off Set
G Key I've been following the discussion about offset and inline flutes and
would like to offer a comment or two. Although I'm a fairly large person with
large (but not gigantic) hands, I play on the offset G and would never consider
returning to the inline. In the 1970's, I had two flutes, an inline Powell and
an offset Haynes. While the Powell was the better of the two sonically, I found
my technique was far smoother and faster on the Haynes. The difference was only
the more natural left hand position. I checked this out on with a metronome and
found that if my maximum speed for a passage was 132 on the Powell, I could play
the same passage with equal control and musicality at 148 on the Haynes! Looking
in the various books on old flutes, we see that all the original Boehm flutes
are offset. The inline was developed by Louis Lott in order to help him make the
flutes faster. That's faster out the door of the shop, not faster in our hands.
With his 19th century technology, Lott could save time by eliminating the rib
and two posts that the offset mechanism requires, about a half-day of work. What
Lott did was copied without reflection by makers earlier in this century. But
with 20th and 21st century technology, making the offset G is no big deal for
today's flute builders. The offset G is more in keeping with the shape of the
hand. Unless a flutist has a fourth finger that is longer than the middle
finger, the inline flute makes no sense at all in terms of the human body. Of
course, many players have accustomed themselves to inline flutes and feel no
need to change, and I'm not suggesting they do. But as we teach, we should
dispell the myth that inline is the "real deal" and offset is for kids. Robert
Dick from the FLUTE list - December 1997 So as you see when I posted comments
about recommending the offset over the inline unless your ring finger was longer
than your middle, it was not a silly comment from thin air. Over the passed few
years many an outstanding flute player some of whom have played for over 20
years on inline have made the switch. And for one or all of many reasons. So if
you want to know what kind to buy or recommend to others, consider what the
experts are now saying.
Offset G or In-line?
My student flute was offset but when I upgraded, I
purchased an open-holed flute with an inline G. My hands are not overly large
and I find it difficult to close the hole on that key, so I keep it pluggd. If I
were ever to replace the flute I have (which otherwise, I just love), I'd go
for an offset G for sure. It's a matter of personal preference I think.
purchased an open-holed flute with an inline G. My hands are not overly large
and I find it difficult to close the hole on that key, so I keep it pluggd. If I
were ever to replace the flute I have (which otherwise, I just love), I'd go
for an offset G for sure. It's a matter of personal preference I think.
Offset G or In-line?
I love my offset G! In fact, when I was searching
for a professional model flute, I didn't even try any that were inline because
I love the comfort of the offset. It makes absoluetly no difference in the tone
of the instrument. It just makes so much sense, comfort-wise. Especially for
those of us with short fingers. [:)]
for a professional model flute, I didn't even try any that were inline because
I love the comfort of the offset. It makes absoluetly no difference in the tone
of the instrument. It just makes so much sense, comfort-wise. Especially for
those of us with short fingers. [:)]
Cheers,
Emily
Emily