[CashSax]

My old Selmer Flute has them already installed.

But here's the Q...I have a Powell O/H flute coming that may need them, anything special about the Powell re: plugs ??

I see some nice handmade Sterling disc w/cork plug on Ebay that looks pretty spiffy..

 

[bruce bailey]

Those Powell ones are nice but I just use the neoprene ones that are cheap.

 

[soybean]

Cash, I just got a set of sterling silver ones from Richard Lupo (eBay). To be installing them in a flute today or tomorrow. I will post back here with my impressions.

 

[turf3]

My previous post on this subject apparently was eaten: I like the Powell Plug-Os, because they sit down in the hole so they make the keys look almost like closed hole keys; and they use an O-ring to seal rather than something compressible like cork so they won't get loose and fall out.

 

[CashSax]

Great ideas and suggestions, curious where to obtain the official Powell Plugs, I will be watching to see how the Lupo plugs work too..of course I may do what Bruce did and grab a regular set if a Powell does not require special plugs.

 

[Dr G]

Are open holes really that difficult to use? I switch between closed-hole and open-, and really don’t notice any issues with my open-hole flute. I actually prefer the more solid feel of having my fingers on the holes.

 

[KeithL]

My previous post on this subject apparently was eaten: I like the Powell Plug-Os, because they sit down in the hole so they make the keys look almost like closed hole keys; and they use an O-ring to seal rather than something compressible like cork so they won't get loose and fall out.

I like these as well and have them in both my Yamaha and Muramatsu. I prefer the way they both look and feel as well as that they won't fall into or out of the keys which the little silicone plugs seem to do. The only disadvantages I see are the special tool needed to pop them out and the price.

 

[CashSax]

I like these as well and have them in both my Yamaha and Muramatsu. I prefer the way they both look and feel as well as that they won't fall into or out of the keys which the little silicone plugs seem to do. The only disadvantages I see are the special tool needed to pop them out and the price.

Curious what they look like. Also where would you get them and how much..??

 

[CashSax]

Are open holes really that difficult to use? I switch between closed-hole and open-, and really don't notice any issues with my open-hole flute. I actually prefer the more solid feel of having my fingers on the holes.

I have always plugged mine so I don't know. But there's a monster long thread here in the Flute section on your question.

 

[Dr G]

I have always plugged mine so I don't know. But there's a monster long thread here in the Flute section on your question.

I am aware of the thread.

Bottom line: Plugs work if you need them. The thread is mostly about not getting a benefit from buying an open-hole flute. If you already bought a flute with holes in it, why not try flying as-is before putting plugs in?

 

[bandmommy]

I've got an old Selmer flute with open holes, and an inline G.
I got some inexpensive ($5) clear 'plastic' plugs from a music shop for just in case. I used them, stopped using them, plugged the G if I was feeling lazy... I prefer playing unplugged.
The only way I would go back to using the plugs would be if I were physically unable to maintain the necessary left hand position.

 

[Reet McVouty]

I purchased a used flute last year and the plugs were already installed. Since I'm a newbie on flute I will leave them in for now. If I ever get competent I will remove them and see what the differences are.

 

[KeithL]

Curious what they look like. Also where would you get them and how much..??

My Yamaha came with them but I bought the ones I have in my Muramatsu from these guys; https://www.fluteworld.com/Plug-O-Flute-Plugs--PLUG-POFP-.html

Most of the major online flute retailers carry them.

I use plugs simply because it's more practical for me. I played the Muramatsu without them a few times but playing fast technical stuff I found to be a challenge as I wasn't always getting the holes completely covered. I play flute as a double and for my own enjoyment so I have no designs on being a concert flautist. Whatever marginal gain there could possibly be for me in playing open-holed simply isn't worth the bother. It's already a difficult enough instrument to play so why torture myself. I would have just as well gotten a flute with plateau keys but I've seen few locally that I could try that weren't student models as open holes and B foot flutes rule in the US. I nearly purchased a Miyazawa BR602 from Matthew's Muziek for a fantastic price because it was plateau keys and C foot but when I graciously offered the opportunity to tried some very expensive ($20kish) Miyazawas locally I found I liked other flutes better so I passed.

At the end of the day play what you like and what works for you. I know I'm going to use plugs so I'd just as well have nice ones that seal well, stay in place, and look good though I know they aren't for everyone.

 

[Dr G]

I purchased a used flute last year and the plugs were already installed. Since I'm a newbie on flute I will leave them in for now. If I ever get competent I will remove them and see what the differences are.

If you bought a new saxophone that had a mouthpiece in its case, would that compel you to use the provided mouthpiece?

 

[turf3]

I played open holes for 35 years and then made a considered decision as an adult, experienced flutist to go closed hole when I bought a new expensive flute. If you do some reading you'll see that there are quite a number of superior artists (though a minority) who do not subscribe to the open hole monoculture which seems to be primarily a French, US, and Japanese phenomenon. There are valid reasons for those of us who play closed hole. In my case, because I didn't want to special order my flute as closed hole with no return, I bought an open hole flute and plugged the holes. The Plug-Os go clear to the bottom of the pad so it's essentially the same thing as having closed cups.

Acting like those who plug the holes are idiots is not helpful.

 

[Dr G]

I played open holes for 35 years and then made a considered decision as an adult, experienced flutist to go closed hole when I bought a new expensive flute. If you do some reading you'll see that there are quite a number of superior artists (though a minority) who do not subscribe to the open hole monoculture which seems to be primarily a French, US, and Japanese phenomenon. There are valid reasons for those of us who play closed hole. In my case, because I didn't want to special order my flute as closed hole with no return, I bought an open hole flute and plugged the holes. The Plug-Os go clear to the bottom of the pad so it's essentially the same thing as having closed cups.

Acting like those who plug the holes are idiots is not helpful.

Congrats on your experience and your choice. Did you read my previous post #10? I get it. I have a quality closed-hole flute (John Lehner, as well as my alto flute), I also have an open-hole flute. All I am saying to Cash is that if you have an open-hole flute, try it to see if it works for you.

I never called anyone an idiot.

 

[rcpayne]

I agree with Dr. G. It can't hurt to try it without the plugs. Also it doesn't take that much to get used to playing open hole. You could start with the plugs in and remove them one at a time and as you get used to it, then remove the next plug and so on. Also if a flute is designed to be in tune with open holes it might play more in tune without the plugs. Playing open hole also helps you keep your fingers in the correct position, and that's important for intonation as well because if the flute moves too much due to improper hand position or hammering fingers it will affect your sound and intonation, not to mention articulation because it's knocking your flute out of alignment with your embochure. For me anyway, I'd never go back to a plateau flute or the use of plugs. I just prefer open hole, but we're all different with different goals perhaps.

 

[CashSax]

I have had a couple open hole Flutes, my current Selmer has plugged holes.. I always used plugs.

I am curious about the different types available especially the Powell specific O ring plugs. I would like to see them, I suppose a good flute shop would stock them.

 

[turf3]

I got my Plug-Os from Carolyn Nussbaum. They aren't specific to Powell. If I remember correctly there are two sizes to fit two different types of design. I assume you could order some and return them. They aren't cheap.

 

[KeithL]

I have had a couple open hole Flutes, my current Selmer has plugged holes.. I always used plugs.

I am curious about the different types available especially the Powell specific O ring plugs. I would like to see them, I suppose a good flute shop would stock them.

The pictures at the link I posted above are probably better than actually seeing them since they are magnified though if you can find them in a shop they may let you install them and try them out. They are very easy to install but a bit tricky to remove since you can't just push them through the holes into the flute body. The set includes a small plastic lever for pushing them back out from below.