The "split-E"

numptie · Post by **numptie** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:07 pm

Hands up who's used a split-E model and who hasn't?

Does it make any difference in the middle-E above the C natural in the treble clef?

I've read it makes a difference in the higher octave. My problem is I keep splitting the E uncomfortably in the treble clef. Numptiness lol.

Would a B foot joint make any difference to splitting the E? I figure it's all down to tube ratio and length etc.

Thanks.

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:13 pm

I played 26 years without one, but have found that with one, it makes the E3 a lot easier, especially when slurring from A3 to E3. I ordered my new Brannen with one, but can also play my Gemmy (camping flute) just fine without one.

What the Split E does is close the lower G key (without closing the upper G key) when an E3 is fingered. Most manufacturers will put a Split-E on with an offset-G, but only those with Pinless Mechanisms e.g. Brannen, Burkart, etc, will put one on a flute with an Inline-G. Haynes added a Split-E and C# Trill to my flute back in 1998 and I haven't had any trouble with it.

Another option is the donut, a lot less expensive, but have read that it can flatten the A1, A2.

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:47 pm

I've played both with and without split E. With experience, a good flutist can adapt either way. Yes, the split E does make the third octave E easier especially on certain jumps such as the A3-E3 as cflutist mentioned. However, it also creates some problems with the G3-A3 trill. My main flute is a Muramatsu AD and I installed a donut insert. I find that is a reasonable compromise. It improves the E3 but doesn't affect the G3-A3 trill. Regarding the flattening of A1 & A2, I have not found that to be a problem. If it flattens those notes, it is so slight that I automatically compensate and don't even have to think about it. Even modern scale flutes still have slight intonation issues with some notes and a good player just listens and adjusts accordingly.

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:56 pm

pied_piper wrote:However, it also creates some problems with the G3-A3 trill.

I guess I have never noticed that because I trill this with the C# Trill and the upper trill key.

Does the Split E without a C# Trill make a G3-A3 trill impossible?

asoalin · Post by **asoalin** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:02 pm

cflutist wrote:I ordered my new Brannen with one, but can also play my Gemmy (camping flute) just fine without one.

You have a "camping flute"?? Like for playing around the campfire?

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:13 pm

Yep, I take my Gemmy camping (silver body, plated keys) and play it in the outdoors.

My Haynes was too nice for that, and I don't plan to play my new Brannen outdoors either.

asoalin · Post by **asoalin** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:19 pm

That's great! What are you favorite campfire flute songs?

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:25 pm

I just play popular music, stuff like Elton John, Andrew Lloyd Weber, etc. Nothing really special.

One time I was playing My Heart Will Go On from Titanic and some Cub Scouts crept up behind the trees. Their Scoutmaster asked if I could play at their nightly campfire program, and I politely declined.

Hubby and I were hiking once at Pt Reyes National Seashore (in CA) and I saw someone playing their flute in the woods, since it was foggy that day, it was really neat, kind of ethereal.

Don't think the general public would appreciate Bozza's Image, or the Dutilleux Sonatine ... LOL

MissyHPhoenix · Post by **MissyHPhoenix** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:52 am

My Pearl had the split E, and I really liked it. I thought I couldn't play without it because the reach was so much easier for my arthritic fingers. However, I fell in love with my Prima Sankyo which is inline, and found that with this particular flute I have no problem whatsoever! What is strange is that I've tried other inline flutes and I DO have trouble playing them. Also, my Sankyo has a very beautiful high E -- jumps right to it, with usually no intonation problems unless I am tired. Even with the split E, the Pearl still gave me trouble with that E.

I think the Sankyo was just made for me ......

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:35 am

I like the split e personally, and have one on my Miyazawa. I have the C# trill key also. In the end though... it really doesn't matter that much. I have played flutes without the split e that played the a-e jump beautifully.

asoalin · Post by **asoalin** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 11:24 am

I'm getting a Miyazawa to try (I will probably end up keeping this one because I've tried Miyazawa before and loved it) w/ split E. I read all the back-and-forth chatter about it, and I just decided to go for it. I just tried a Sankyo w/ the g disk, and I didn't like it that much. I have to wait 2 weeks for the Miya, and it seems like forever!

numptie · Post by **numptie** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 3:42 pm

All good things about split-E keys so far.

I guess the rest of us who don't have it, don't know what we're missing!

Thanks for the input everyone.

Does a split-E mechanism offer any help at all for intonation in the transition point between the second octave E on the top staff space, from the D in the treble staff space?

My guess is that it doesn't, but I'm just wanting to be sure.

c_otter · Post by **c_otter** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:48 pm

I've never had one on my flute and don't have a problem with E3. My piccolo has one.

My trick (when needed) for E3 is to lift the RH pinky. The E3 is easier to play and slightly flatter (more in tune for me). This fingering makes it much easier to shift between E3 and A3.