professional plateau-keyed flutes?

melantha71 · Post by **melantha71** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:36 pm

I have decided, after 25 years of playing on open-holed flutes, that I now need a closed hole model. For years I have had problems with playing a low B scale or the chromatic scale from low B because of slipping off the keys on the right hand, or I have pain from pressing down too hard trying to keep the slipping from happening.

Today, I got plugs in the mail and plugged them up, and found that I can race through these scales like crazy! Wow! However, the open-holed flutes are not meant to be played plugged up, and I can tell a huge difference in the sound of the instrument when it's plugged - accoustically dead. So, obviously, I need a closed-holed model that is designed to sound amazing with plateau keys.

I'm not wanting to step back down to a student model, though. I would find that frustrating. So, I am asking you folks - is there such a thing as a professional closed-holed flute with a low B foot? They all seem to be silver plated (I want solid silver) and with a low C foot. I love to have the low B.

I need to look for used instruments - ocassionally I see a closed holed Haynes but I never see it with a low B.

Any advice is appreciated!

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:49 pm

Haynes makes one:

Haynes Solid Silver Hand-made French Flute
Superbly crafted, this exceptional hand-made instrument is offered in thin (.014-soldered toneholes only), medium (.016) or heavy (.018) wall models with your choice of open or closed holes, and drawn or soldered tone holes. Haynes flutes are world renowned for their beauty of tone.

melantha71 · Post by **melantha71** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:53 pm

Aren't the new Haynes flutes made in China now? I think I'd be more likely to get one of the vintage ones. I see a few closed holed ones on eBay from the 50's - isn't that their "golden age" or whatever?

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:04 pm

Haynes does have a line of flutes made in China, but their higher end flutes are still made in Boston as far as I know. One consideration about the flutes made in the 50's is the scale. My Haynes was made in the 70's and it is tunes to 440, which has been a bit of an issue from time to time, depending on who I am playing with.

As far as a flute with closed holes and a B foot, that is not standard, but I am sure many companies would be willing to accommodate such a request. Pretty much and handmade flute out there is also available with closed holes. You may just need to check with a few dealers and see what is available.

I would also check out Flute World's used flutes listing. I see a lot of unusual flutes there from time to time. They also have a trial program, which you will definitely want to take advantage of. Once you find a flute you like, you may be able to find someone who has a B foot or who is willing to make a trade.

melantha71 · Post by **melantha71** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:28 pm

A friend of mine also swears that even the professional, hand-made, closed-holed flutes do not resonate and sound as nice as the open-holed ones. Can anyone confirm or deny?

I suppose I should wait until I can try a wide variety of them before I decide.

Also...how important is it *really* to be able to play that one scale...I have no pieces in my repertoire that require me to make those jumps with my pinky...how often do you really need to be able to do that?

*pondering*

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:53 pm

First off, we talk often about the term "professional" when referring to flutes. The term is very misused by companies and often talks of upper end flutes, but not always handmade instruments. In my opinion, handmade flutes are in a different class due to the amount of workmanship.

As for one sounding better, that will have to be up to you. I personally prefer open hole flutes, but this is probably because that is all I have played for a very long time and it is what I am used to. I have not tried a flute like mine with closed holes, so I can't give an opinion on that.

My personal flute does not have a gizmo key, and I have not missed it. To be honest, I never used it when I had it. I do play low B from time to time in solo rep. As for scale, it can be a very important issue for some. My flute tends to play rather flat, so I have to make adjustments. I love it and can work with it, but some can't. There are also other issues with older flutes, but if you are primarily a soloist, it will most likely never be an issue. If you play with a number of ensembles, it could be a nightmare.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:36 pm

I have a Miyazawa that is handmade with Plateau keys.

http://www.miyazawa-flute.co.jp/catalog ... el_03.html

The whole "Openhole flutes sound better!" is nothing more that a myth. Open holes on a flute is nothing more than a feature.

The sound primarily comes from the headjoint design. The problem is the better headjoints are on higher end flutes. In the west, these flutes are mostly open hole. This just fuels the myth.

The rare occasion that I play with a classical music group, people gripe about my flute with plateau keys, until they try it. THen they wish they had one!

Phineas

melantha71 · Post by **melantha71** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:22 pm

Phineas, it drives me crazy that Americans are so snobby about closed-hole, offset G flutes. I think there are several reasons - the open-holed flutes are supposedly prestigious to own, take more "skill" to play, and are considered a step up from the plateau keys. But honestly, I could care less what other players think of me - what I'd like is for them to hear me smoke them with a closed hole model...LOL

Hey everyone - anybody used the Powell PlugO's? I'm wondering if these sound the same as plugging it up with cork or silicone plugs.

snowstripedmoose · Post by **snowstripedmoose** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:37 pm

Hi,

Sankyo makes B foot flutes with plateau keys in there professional line up of models from the CF-501 up to the CF-901 maybe special order though I know it is possible i have recently had contact with sankyo in japan to ask them a few questions. I think muramatsu now offers some as well.

I have been using Powell PlugOs on my sankyo for years they sound a lot better than the plastic plugs or cork plugs. I've had my F key plugged up for years and I recently took it out and started playing without it and I didn't notice a difference at all to the sound. The only problem i have found with the PlugOs is that with age they start to deteriate i've had mine since 99 and only now some of them arn't doing there job so well.

I've tried the plastic ones and were not impressed, silicone ones arn't too bad but trying to get one that fits the open key can be interesting the sankyo hole is larger and the silicone and plastic ones tend to be smaller and fall straight through or just fit but when playing dislodge.

melantha71 · Post by **melantha71** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:43 pm

Oh now I want to try the PlugO's! Do you know where I can buy them online from a US store? I can only seem to find them on the justflutes site which is in UK pounds - and our US dollar is so weak right now. :-/

snowstripedmoose · Post by **snowstripedmoose** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:53 pm

they are not easy to find
not many places that sell them I have been looking for a few months now and it seems that justflutes, allflutesplus.co.uk and a south african store sell them.

I got mine in japan last time. You may be able to get someone (music instrument store) to order them for you.

melantha71 · Post by **melantha71** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:00 pm

Ok, thanks - I went ahead and ordered them from the UK. I mean, even for $40 they are worth a shot!

vampav8trix · Post by **vampav8trix** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:21 pm

There is a Muramatsu on usedflutes.com right now fro less than 1,000 US dollars.

Check it out. It might be what you are looking for at a good price.

I also think that I saw a couple of used plateau flutes on flute world and NY flute exchange.

Good luck.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:32 pm

Well, it seems that this request has almost been answered, but anyway...

You have a lot of options. You could find a handmade closed hole flute, or request one from a Company. Most handmade flute companies happily accomidate these sorts of requests. You could also see about having a low B lever fitted to your flute. That way you can activate the Low B with your left hand pinkie. That way, you can keep your flute's resonance [for the most part], and yet make it more functional for you.

As for slipping off of the keys, there are TONS of options there. My preferance for solving this issue is the Thumbport. It is a rubber attatchment that adjusts a person's hand position in the right hand. It also makes the flute a lot more stable. But this is just my experiance. I LOVE my thumbport. But there are also other solutions as well. There are Bopeps, and Ton Kooiman attatchments, and so many more. You could also just put a small circle of moleskin on the flute tubing to provide a better texture that is less slippery. That way your thumb won't slip.

Anyway, just be creative!

chaos0008 · Post by **chaos0008** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:14 am

There's a lever that allows you to activate the low B with your left pinkie? Perhaps you mean right pinkie?