Another to add to the mix: Rob Forbes makes delrin Pratten-pattern flutes for less than $500. I've had one for a few weeks. It's *loud,* easy to play, and indestructible. (Been playing for 17 years. My main flute is a Sam Murray, for reference).
I get a François Baubet Irish flute couple year ago and it's a perfect flute. François is a very good flute maker and a gently guy, I recommend it, he desserved it.
His short delrin flute is totally affordable, around 350 euros. And yes, it's pleasant to speak with him. The sound is good and in tune. Perfect for a beginner like me.
I second the comment about Copley & Boegli flutes. After 30+ years of playing ITM on flute, I've finally learned that large flutes hurt my hands. (My hands are not small - glove size large). I decided that I needed a good flute with a short finger stretch. I ordered a keyless Olwell Modified Medium in January 2019, which per personal communication was Patrick's recommended flute for a small finger stretch. I subsequently had the opportunity to play two Copley & Boegli flutes, one unkeyed and one six-key. I found the C&B flutes easy to play, loud, with good intonation, and a short finger stretch. I ordered a six-key blackwood Copley & Boegli flute in August, 2019. Both flutes arrived during the same week in May, 2020. The unkeyed Olwell (silver slide, very nice leather case) cost about $2100. The six-key Copley & Boegli (silver slide, decent plastic case) cost a little under $2,600. The stretch on the two flutes is identical. The flutes are very, very close in tone, intonation (C&B slightly better) and response (Olwell slightly better). And I do mean slightly, as in barely detectable. The keys work fine on the C&B. I find myself playing the C&B almost exclusively because I like using the keys. And I did not have to wait six years. I believe that the keyed C&B flutes are a bargain. If the unkeyed C&B flutes are anywhere near as good, and I believe that they are, then they're a bargain, too. As an aside, both flutes suffer from that very flat Csharp that seems to be universal for modern conical-bore flutes. On the C&B, I can pull the Csharp into tune by depressing the Cnat key. On the Olwell, I can't since there's no Cnat key.
Really good info. Thank you! And so glad you have something that works for you. I have VERY small hands--and with flat fingers the big finger holes are no problem. But all hands/players are so different! So great to have good makers to accommodate us.
Hi Robert. Your info is very helpful for me, as I'm currently trying to upgrade from my Ormiston keyless. If you find that you'd like to sell the C&B, let me know. Thanks!
I got a Vincenzo Di Mauro delrin flute, for 500€ (he has a student model that is quite cheaper), and it's amazing! Beautiful response, great tone, very good volume if you push it, not heavy, and very good, clean craftsmanship. I'm surprised his flutes aren't more talked about.
Thanks for letting us know, and for adding that to the roundup. Of course, there are SO many great flutes out there. Hope others will mention their favorites here!
Thank you so much for this video , incredibly interesting. I got an old flute many years ago with the sweetest sound , but sadly out of tune, and I was advised to replace with a modern wooden flute, your video has answered a question . I bought an Eamon Cotter flute from County Clare . It has an amazing sound and is a Pratten style from your description. Then I got a chance to buy , from a friend, a Terry McGee flute . Again an amazing flute , but couldn’t be more different with small holes etc seems easier to play , so that would be a Ruddell style ? A much thinner lighter flute . But still with a big sound and this particular model has a metal head joint with a wooden sleeve around the emboucher. I do slightly prefer Eamon Cotter . But I think it’s a matter of preference rather than one being better than the other . Thanks guys .
Good question, Karen. I have small hands and keep my fingers quite flat on the bottom hand--that allows for coverage (with the wider spaced holes). And it also gives the ornaments the proper weight/sound.
good point -- nice to hear a demonstration of all those flutes, as well as information about prices. I suppose the prices are different (used or not, and every year maybe a slightly different fee). So this is an introduction. And so much more info on Blayne's site: www.irishflutestore.com
![Drunken Landlady [Reel in E Min] - Tune of the Month with Shannon Heaton](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hGTzZxPuZzs/mqdefault.jpg)
Another to add to the mix: Rob Forbes makes delrin Pratten-pattern flutes for less than $500. I've had one for a few weeks. It's *loud,* easy to play, and indestructible. (Been playing for 17 years. My main flute is a Sam Murray, for reference).
I get a François Baubet Irish flute couple year ago and it's a perfect flute. François is a very good flute maker and a gently guy, I recommend it, he desserved it.
Great to hear! And I'm so glad you've found a perfect fit.
His short delrin flute is totally affordable, around 350 euros. And yes, it's pleasant to speak with him. The sound is good and in tune. Perfect for a beginner like me.
Props to Blayne. He provides first rate service and excellent advice.
Totally down with this vid, Shannon! Bringing Blayne out for this is top! Cheers, Blayne & Shannon!
yes, he's such a great resource!
Thanks for this info! Particularly cool to learn about the Ellis Ebonite Essential flute.
I second the comment about Copley & Boegli flutes. After 30+ years of playing ITM on flute, I've finally learned that large flutes hurt my hands. (My hands are not small - glove size large). I decided that I needed a good flute with a short finger stretch. I ordered a keyless Olwell Modified Medium in January 2019, which per personal communication was Patrick's recommended flute for a small finger stretch. I subsequently had the opportunity to play two Copley & Boegli flutes, one unkeyed and one six-key. I found the C&B flutes easy to play, loud, with good intonation, and a short finger stretch. I ordered a six-key blackwood Copley & Boegli flute in August, 2019. Both flutes arrived during the same week in May, 2020. The unkeyed Olwell (silver slide, very nice leather case) cost about $2100. The six-key Copley & Boegli (silver slide, decent plastic case) cost a little under $2,600. The stretch on the two flutes is identical. The flutes are very, very close in tone, intonation (C&B slightly better) and response (Olwell slightly better). And I do mean slightly, as in barely detectable. The keys work fine on the C&B. I find myself playing the C&B almost exclusively because I like using the keys. And I did not have to wait six years. I believe that the keyed C&B flutes are a bargain. If the unkeyed C&B flutes are anywhere near as good, and I believe that they are, then they're a bargain, too. As an aside, both flutes suffer from that very flat Csharp that seems to be universal for modern conical-bore flutes. On the C&B, I can pull the Csharp into tune by depressing the Cnat key. On the Olwell, I can't since there's no Cnat key.
Really good info. Thank you! And so glad you have something that works for you. I have VERY small hands--and with flat fingers the big finger holes are no problem. But all hands/players are so different! So great to have good makers to accommodate us.
Hi Robert. Your info is very helpful for me, as I'm currently trying to upgrade from my Ormiston keyless. If you find that you'd like to sell the C&B, let me know. Thanks!
Did you order your C&B with the standard hold spacing or the closer hole spacing options?
I got a Vincenzo Di Mauro delrin flute, for 500€ (he has a student model that is quite cheaper), and it's amazing!
Beautiful response, great tone, very good volume if you push it, not heavy, and very good, clean craftsmanship.
I'm surprised his flutes aren't more talked about.
Thanks for letting us know, and for adding that to the roundup. Of course, there are SO many great flutes out there. Hope others will mention their favorites here!
Thank you so much for this video , incredibly interesting. I got an old flute many years ago with the sweetest sound , but sadly out of tune, and I was advised to replace with a modern wooden flute, your video has answered a question . I bought an Eamon Cotter flute from County Clare . It has an amazing sound and is a Pratten style from your description. Then I got a chance to buy , from a friend, a Terry McGee flute . Again an amazing flute , but couldn’t be more different with small holes etc seems easier to play , so that would be a Ruddell style ? A much thinner lighter flute . But still with a big sound and this particular model has a metal head joint with a wooden sleeve around the emboucher. I do slightly prefer Eamon Cotter . But I think it’s a matter of preference rather than one being better than the other . Thanks guys .
happy that we could help clarify a little. And you are right completely that this is such a personal preference. Only YOU know what's best for you!
How do people with small hands ?
Good question, Karen. I have small hands and keep my fingers quite flat on the bottom hand--that allows for coverage (with the wider spaced holes). And it also gives the ornaments the proper weight/sound.
This should have been your 15 minute consult. What and why were not covered all about the tones and how they play and price ranges.
good point -- nice to hear a demonstration of all those flutes, as well as information about prices. I suppose the prices are different (used or not, and every year maybe a slightly different fee). So this is an introduction. And so much more info on Blayne's site: www.irishflutestore.com
Female flutist are so hot....and male flute players just don't care what you think. I'm playing a dixon.