New flute

stina · Post by **stina** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:09 pm

Hello, I am thinking of buying a new flute and would apreciate your feedback. I would like a flute that plays easily in the third octave. I have played many years on a Powell which I like very much, but feel that it is a bit unpredictable in the third octave ( could be me of course ) It would be great to have the reassurance that the flute would always respond with ease in the third octave. Any advice on makes and models? Thanks.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:36 pm

http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=2411

The only way to figure out which flute is for you is to go shopping for one and try it. There are just too many choices out there to make suggestions.

Could also be an adjustment issue with the flute you already have. When was the last time you had it Cleaned and Adjusted?

Phineas

stina · Post by **stina** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:06 am

Hello Phineas, Thanks for your reply. I know you are right when you say that the best way is to go out and try lots of flutes. The problem is that where I live there are no music shops so I thought if anybody had any experience with a certain make that was particularly easy in the third octave, I could take it from there. My flute has been regularly serviced and is in good shape, so can´t really blame the flute. I tried a Nagahara some time back and found it to be quite difficult to control, a bit like a wild horse! It had lovely tone and beautifully made, so maybe I would be better of with a donkey! Have you got any ideas?

Stina

MissyHPhoenix · Post by **MissyHPhoenix** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:48 am

I know what you mean about living in an area where there is no choice of flutes to try. If you are happy overall with your Powell (what a nice flute!) other than the third octave issue, you might want to try a different headjoint. FluteWorld is very knowledgeable about flute issues, so you could talk to them and see if they can recommend a new headjoint and/or flute for you to try. It could be just as simple as a headjoint that just doesn't work for you -- I had that problem not long ago and when I found the right one, it was like it was hand-made just for me.

Good luck!

stina · Post by **stina** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:19 am

Hi Missy, Thanks. It seems to have become a "problem" lately and I am not sure why. The flute is in good conditon so maybe I am just loosing my touch. I did try one old student flute which was so much easier to play, but didn´t have the quality of tone so I had hoped I could find something of good quality but with all the effortless that went with it. Is there such a flute?
All the best
Stina

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:00 am

If it happened suddenly, then one of two things have probably happened. It's either a tone problem or a flute problem. It IS possible that you have gotten a slight leak somewhere that is impacting your sound. Get your flute checked again before rushing into pricey purchases.

It is also possible that you just need to work on tone excercizes. It could be that you are just now hearing your shortcomings in your upper register. Many times we don't hear our problems, and then one day something about our playing sounds awful. It isn't that it got worse suddenly, but rather that we are just now hearing the problem.

Put in some hard work on tone/upper register before buying something. I have always believed that hard work will always fix something more thoroughly than buying a new gadget to fix it for us. If after a month or so you aren't seeing any improvement, start looking for a new headjoint.

Powells are really good flutes. Try just replacing the headjoint first, and if that doesn't solve your problems, THEN start looking at a whole new instrument.

stina · Post by **stina** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:24 pm

Thanks guys for your support and good comments. I think the problem probably is with me, not the flute. I will get cracking with some exercises to see if that helps. It sure feels good with nice people like you.

JButky · Post by **JButky** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:24 pm

The Third register is greatly affected by the cork. If the third register has recently become a problem I would look for a specific issue with the cork first.

The cork may be sealing airtight, but at the wrong end. Many techs do not taper their corks to match the tapered tube and as a result, they still seal but at the crown end instead of the plate end. Moisture gets in there and it leaks partway up wreaking havoc with the third register.

You need someone to actually pull the cork out and see if that is the case.

Here's what that specifically looks like:

stina · Post by **stina** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:59 pm

Thanks Joe. I will have a look. Never thought about the cork, so thanks.
Stina