Flute Lyres

Hayley · Post by **Hayley** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 6:55 am

Can anyone recommend a decent flute wrist lyre?

Im after an old Potters of London lyre, with thick leather strap and brass attachment, however they dont make them to this standard anymore I am told, anyone know where i can find one or any others?

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:17 am

Having wrestled with flute lyres in various configurations, with numerous flute sections during band camp season

, I keep coming back to the lyre-purchasing instructions of my high school band director (a woodwind player). All we were told was, "Flutists memorize", with no recommendation of products or any further discussion. No flute lyre set-up I've ever encountered has allowed simultaneous readability, comfort and proper marching posture, and most offer none of the above, LOL. If you can read the music, your head's usually at a funny angle. If your posture's not compromised, the elastic stap is cutting off the circulation in your left arm! Unfortunately, there are times using one would be handy--a one-time, few-rehearsals gig for which you don't have time to memorize, or being ordered by a non-flutist band director to "purchase one or else!".

If your director requires that you purchase one and carry it in a manner that allows him or her to see it while you rehearse, I'm sorry for your plight

(and your ten bucks!), and there is a thing called a Flutist's Friend (we call it the Flutist's Fiend!) that straps onto your left arm. Flute World or Woodwind Brasswind should have some. Hickey's Music (online) carries the underarm style, though this is a total posture-wrecker (under your left arm, sticking out straight in from of you). Also, www.FluteSpot.com offers a style that clamps onto your flute, but these frequently tilt around and change the angle of your music.

Hayley · Post by **Hayley** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:49 am

Im lucky because Im pretty good with learning my music, my lyre is a normal thin strapped one that ive modified and stuck another strap on, doesnt look too attractive though lol.

fluatists friend, our little players have these, problem is with the weight of their music it hangs off their arms!!!!

the lyres im looking for are quite old, im sure theyre not produced anymore, but there is a few still floating around, my friend has one 2nd hand, a few military flautists have them too, but all hand-me-downs, il just have to wait for someone to hand me theirs!

il get a picture and show everyone at some point

*geek*

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:59 am

Ah, yeah, the heaviness!!!!!!!!!!!! Memorizing is still the most reasonable option, I think... I'm pretty sure nobody's making those new anymore-- maybe Google it or call up old music stores. I think I know the kind you mean, but I haven't actually seen one in ages.

Hayley · Post by **Hayley** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:08 am

the potters shop still exists, the price of the lyre is £27, far too little for the amount of materials, one is due to arrive for another one of our flautists, but i dont hold too much hope for it to be honest.

google, useless! ive contacted a few shops via email, doubt il get any positive replies.

i did email is it APM lyres? the standard ones, and i basicaly said theyre crap, do u make any sturdier ones, but i hold no hope to that either

they still exist, i WILL find one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:39 pm

I really suggest memorizing your music. Of course, I don't know your situation, so it may not be practical to memorize it all.. I had to memorize all my music for marching band in high school and it really wasn't as hard as you'd think. If you know a piece reasonably well you usually have it almost memorized already. Just learn a little bit at a time and come back to it every day, playing what you've memorized so far..

Hayley · Post by **Hayley** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 3:57 am

you both make me sound really young and silly.

crazyaboutflute2393 · Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:09 pm

I really really hope when I get to high school I don't have trouble memorizing music! If I do I'm switching to guard... one less flute they have til concert band... jk! lol

Sorry I laugh at everything

nii_neko · Post by **nii_neko** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:17 pm

OH CRUD!!! I have band camp this summer! I have to get a lyre!!! How much are they???

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:20 pm

I'm going to echo some advice from when this thread was new....Memorize your music. There really is no lyre out there that is designed well for flutists, so you might as well save your money and memorize. If having one is a requirement, memorize and then wear the lyre just for looks.

crazyaboutflute2393 · Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:21 pm

If you're lucky like me, your band director will give you one

. (We had Middle School Band night, where all the middle schools came and played with the high school for one night at a football game.) I can ask my director where they got them and how much they were.