Open or closed?
- KaciK
- Susie_Q
- KaciK
- Susie_Q
- KaciK
- Susie_Q
- scherzando
- Susie_Q
- windilyn
This archived discussion is "read only".
» KaciK - Kaci Koltz Ah, the great art of fluting! I'm thinking of gett
Kaci KoltzAh, the great art of fluting! I'm thinking of getting a new flute and want to know how much difference there is in sound between a closed and open hole flute. Seems to me that the open-holes sound better. Unfortunately, I learned on a closed-hole and my fingers have grown bent, so if I do get a closed hole I'd have to have corks in every hole! Is it worth it?
-- posted by KaciK
» Susie_Q - It's worth it, especially if you plan on performing more interme
It's worth it, especially if you plan on performing more intermediate or advanced level music. Open hole flutes allow you to use more alternate fingerings, helping in both technique and intonation. Plus, there are all these keen special effect sounds you can do! Just wean yourself gradually away from the corks. Start removing one at a time, starting with the corks on the keys that use your strongest fingers. As far as helping yourself in finger position, watch yourself in a mirror as you do scales or something you know well so you can concentrate on the curve and closeness of your fingers. Another idea: have someone hold their hand over your knuckles very closely while you're playing, close enough to allow your fingers to raise just far enough to open the keys. When I have the parents of my students do that, the kids hate the idea of their mom being there so much, they licked their bad habits quickly :-) And, I'm still fighting raising my fingers high. Keep your left wrist turned more towards you, too, but not enough to bind your arm, so your fingers can lie flat, and the fleshy part can completely cover the holes. Good luck, and keep in touch!Karen Stafford
Editor, Flutes and Flute Playing
-- posted by Susie_Q
» KaciK - Kaci Koltz Okay, I've looked into open-hole flutes and you're
Kaci KoltzOkay, I've looked into open-hole flutes and you're right, they sound much better. My local music store is having a sale this week, and I want to know which is the better buy--Gemeinhardt or Emerson? Is there a difference in quality?
Kaci Koltz, the Cat Lady
-- posted by KaciK
» Susie_Q - A lot of it is your personal preference. Sorry! I started with
A lot of it is your personal preference. Sorry! I started with a Gemeinhardt,and that's what's sold around here a lot, but that's doesn't mean anything. I play a Muramatsu (as does Galway), and some folks won't touch them with a ten-foot pole! I'd play both, and possibly have a flute teacher (if that would make you more comfortable) check the mechanics. Also check the service warranty. If you've got a fairly honest salesperson (especially since they know you're going to buy!), ask them which model is usually brought in for repairs the most. Don't go for one just because it has a pretty gold lipplate :-) (I had a student do that). You can always get a different headjoint. I'm glad you're going for it! You'll find you can do so much more with an open-hole, B foot. Let me know how it goes!Karen Stafford
Editor, Flutes and Flute Playing
-- posted by Susie_Q
» KaciK - Kaci Koltz Okay, I did it. I spent more money than I can affo
Kaci KoltzOkay, I did it. I spent more money than I can afford, but got a really good deal. I bought an Emerson Alpha, and you're right, the sound is so beautiful. I prefer the silver lipplates over the gold. I tried out both and the gold has too dark of a sound for me. I discovered I'll always have to keep two corks in, though, because my fingers don't spread that far apart without breaking! Anyway, thanks for all your advice, it helped a lot. Now can you tell me some fingerings over high B? And any tricks for open-holes that you can't do with closed?
Kaci Koltz, the Cat lady
-- posted by KaciK
» Susie_Q - You can check back to my article on fingering sites. And, you m
You can check back to my article on fingering sites. And, you might want to invest in the book that I mentioned in that article, the Complete Guide to Fingerings for the Flute. It has tons of stuff! There's a lot you can do, more than I can mention here! That's what's so neat about open hole. I'm glad you like it!Karen Stafford
Editor, Flutes and Flute Playing
-- posted by Susie_Q
» scherzando - AHH!
Oh my goodness!! Is this another Kaci - who plays flute??? Oh wow!!! NEAT!!!!!Kaci S
-- posted by scherzando
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