considering adding flute

[otomah]

Having played clarinet for over 30 years, I picked up the sax about two years ago and I've made comfortable progress - well enough to play in our civic band and perform solos in church. While I still have a great deal to learn on the sax, going from clarinet to sax was not too difficult.

Lately, I've had a strong desire to try my hand at the flute. I have a very old silver flute that I inherited from a dear relative that played professionally. This would have been a doubling instrument for him and although I have not found any information about the instrument, I suspect it is pre-wwII vintage. (Jewish name, made in Germany - that might explain why I can't find out any information about it).

Because of the emotional attachment I have to the instrument, I'd like to get it fixed up and learn on it. I do wonder though if flutes of that vintage might be more difficult to learn on.

So I guess my question is this: Given the age of the instrument, should I attempt to learn on it, or pick up a modern student model?

Thanks in advance for your comments and insight.

Tom

[SuiZen]

It's hard to answer your question without knowing more about the flute.

If the flute is in good playing condition, e.g., no leaks, the critical part is then the headjoint. There have been some improvements in modern embouchure cut that may make it more repsonsive. It may be easier to blow/play for a beginner. You could always add a new headjoint to the old flute body. There have also been some improvements in tuning, and movement to higher than 440 Hz pitch.

I think you should "go for it".

Bill

[otomah]

Bill

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm sure that the flute will need more work than its worth, but the added pleasure of playing this particular flute would be worth it. It hasn't been played in over 30 years.

Forgive my stupidity, but when your talking about the head joint, are there types of head joints made which would be especially good for a beginner to get? Do I shop for them like mouthpieces? I guess its time to be looking for a good teacher to get me on the correct path.

Along that same thought, is the "art of flute" as good as the "art of saxophone (Teal)? That one has helped me a great deal.

Thanks
Tom

[SuiZen]

Since you have a sentimental attachment to the flute, I'd get it fixed, and give it a try. It may be play well for you.

Headjoints are like mouthpieces, only much more expensive for what I'm thinking of. You'd need to try a variety of makes and models, and get it fit to your flute.

Bill

[michaelbaird]

Go for it. I taught myself how to play when I was 13.

[Gordon (NZ)]

Being silver is no guarantee that it is a high quality flute. Many sterling silver flutes sound pathetic by todays standards, and that includes old Haynes flutes which were as good as you get could half a century ago.

By all means get it fixed for sentimental reasons, but be aware that it MAY play very poorly indeed, even compared with say a current model student Yamaha.

A flute is an intricate mechanical 'contraption', needing to be in precise adjustment to play reliably - ALL parts 'right' in design, manufacture, and state of repair. Mechanically, you could compare an old flute with an old car. It may well cost an enormous amount of money to get it into a reliable state, and even then its reliability is unlikely to be anywhere near that of a modern good quality vehicle.

A replacement head may improve the tone/response, but that is not the only issue. The state of the mechanism is an important consideration.

Emotional attachment can be quite misplaced when functionality is a significant issue. You could spend a lot of money and get a flute that is not easy to play, and which will never be reliable, especially if it was an obscure make.

Flute manufacture has been closely aligned with the silver-smithing craft, which has often given sadly little consideration to the mechanical accuracy needed in flute mechanism. Visual beauty does not necessarily equate with a good flute.

[Dr G]

So I guess my question is this: Given the age of the instrument, should I attempt to learn on it, or pick up a modern student model?

If the flute has sentimental value yet may not be up to the task of playing well, why not get it overhauled AND buy a good current student model to learn on?

[otomah]

First off - thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies. I just picked up my restored flute about 2 hours ago. So far my range goes from C above the staff down to first line E on the staff. D when I'm lucky.

I plan to try out some student flutes at the music store once I get a bit of time with this one under my belt. If they are easier to play, I'll likely look for a good used one to work with.

I've got The Art of Flute playing and I've gone through the section on the embouchure serveral times already.

Gordon, would you be good enough to send your article on playing the flute? tteigen#swbell.net (replacing the # with an @ sign of course)

The condition of the instrument - well, I'm certainly not qualified to judge, but it does have ribbed construction, soldered tone holes which are beveled (looks like my Martin) and a brand new set of pads throughout.

Lot's of fun so far, and a very nice feeling to know that an instrument that has been silent for better than 50 years is "singing" again.

Thanks all
Tom