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Online Store > Low-Pitched Flutes
American flutemaker Casey Burns, well-known for his very
popular Folk Flute, is now making fantastic
and very affordable keyless and keyed low flutes, in the keys of B, B-flat
and A (starting at $700 US). Yes, they are big - but they are surprisingly
easy and comfortable to play. Grey Larsen plays both a B-flat and an A (a "low flute combo", as explained below), and
has absolutely fallen in love with their rich, dark, velvet sonority. Initially he had Casey Burns add six keys to his A flute, and a tuning slide to the single headjoint that serves both his A and B-flat flutes. More recently Casey made him an extended footjoint that takes Grey's low A flute all the way down to G# and G, like a modern alto flute.
Grey refers the low A flute as the "Irish alto flute", since it is analogus in pitch to the modern or Boehm-system alto flute.
Click here
to hear Grey play The Wind that Shakes the Barley on the B-flat flute.
(Further down this page are links for more sound samples.)
Grey feels that these flutes "...represent a remarkable
new development for Irish flute players, expanding the voice, tone colors
and emotional vocabulary of our beloved instrument in an exciting new direction.
Casey is really on to something here, and he has done flute players a great
service by providing us with a gorgeous new instrument, so easy and satisfying
to play, at an unexpectedly low price. Many Irish flute players who dearly
love their instrument will now come to realize that there is very little standing
between them and a new way to significantly expand their tonal palette."
Casey Burns writes, "Among the most evocative and haunting sounds heard
from the flute family are those of the low-pitched wooden flutes. With their
unmatched resonance and presence, these flutes are the choice of many for
a 'second flute.'"
Based upon excellent 19th century Rudall originals, Casey
has applied his recent and very impressive voicing and ergonomic refinements
to these flutes, resulting in an instrument which speaks as well as or better
than the historical instruments upon which they are based. The lowest notes
are strong, reedy, and "ready", speaking rapidly with little more
effort than that required for a D flute.
Casey Burns' recommended economical configuration:
a "Session Headjoint" in African Blackwood, for the greatest possible
efficiency of tone, and a body in Mopane, USD $750.
The same as above, but in all Mopane
with sterling silver rings, USD $950. (Note: This photo shows two vent holes
in an extended foot joint. This kind of footjoint is not standard but can
be ordered. However, Grey does not find the extended footjoint to be advantageous,
and the extension adds weight to the instrument.)
A low A flute in African Blackwood and silver, USD $ 1100, shown next to a D flute for size comparison. The D flute is a Terry
McGee "Grey Larsen Preferred" 6-key flute in African Blackwood
and sterling silver, which is also available
for purchase. In comparing the spacing of the finger holes on these
two flutes, notice that the space beween the top hand's group of three holes
and the bottom hand's group of three holes is larger on the low A flute
than on the D flute. However, the spacing among the three
holes for each hand is remarkably similar on both instruments. The same
holds true for the B-flat and D flutes shown in the photo below.
A low B-flat flute in African Blackwood with silver rings, USD $1100, again shown next to a D flute for size comparison.
Close-up of detail work on the endcap of a low
flute headjoint.
Listen to What These Low Flutes Sound Like
Click the links below to listen to Grey Larsen play some Irish
tunes on both the low B-flat and low A flute.
The Wind that Shakes the Barley, low B-flat
flute. The tune is fingered in D-major (the normal key), but sounds
in B-flat-major.
Lafferty's Reel, low B-flat flute. Here
the tune is fingered as if it were in A-minor (not the normal key of E-minor).
Since Grey is playing it on a B-flat flute, the tune sounds in F-minor,
the normal key in which one would hear this tune played in an E-flat session.
(In E-flat sessions, musicians play on instruments that are pitched, or
tuned, a half-step higher than normal.) Flute players may notice that Grey
is able to play all the notes of this tune in their original "fiddle"
register, not having to transpose the "below D" notes up an octave,
as one has to do when playing this tune on a D flute.
Lafferty's Reel, low A flute. The same tune
as above, fingered, again, as if it were in A-minor (not the normal key
of E-minor). But since Grey is this time playing it on an A flute (the "Irish alto flute"), the tune
sounds in E-minor, the normal key in which one would hear this tune played
at a standard Irish music session (i.e. a session in which the musicians
are playing instruments tuned to the normal pitch level). Flute players
may notice that Grey is able to play all the notes of this tune in their
original "fiddle" register, not having to transpose the "below
D" notes up an octave, as one has to do when playing this tune on a
D flute.
Martin Wynne's #2, low A flute. This tune is
fingered as if it were in E-minor/G-major. Since Grey is playing it on an
A flute, the tune sounds in it's normal key of B-minor/D-major. Flute players
will notice that Grey is able to play all the notes of this tune in their
original "fiddle" register, not having to transpose the "below
D" notes up an octave, as one has to do when playing this tune on a
D flute. To download a free transcription of Martin Wynne's #2
as played on a low-A flute, click here. (This
transcription is in the Adobe Acrobat ".pdf" format.)
The Low Flute Combo Package
The Low Flute Combo Package offers maximum
versatility and a great value: a single head joint and foot joint
that share separate B-flat and A bodies (see photos below). This
makes great economic sense, since you can't play both flutes at once!
You can save between $350 and $400 (over ordering two separate flutes)
with these combos.
Low Flute Combo Package, all African Blackwood with
sterling silver rings, USD $1550.
Low Flute Combo Package with Blackwood headjoint and
Mopane bodies and foot joint,
with sterling silver rings, $1300.
Prices for Low Flutes and Low Flute Combo Packages
Prices for low flutes start at $700 US dollars and range up to $1300,
depending upon your choice of woods and whether or not to include sterling
silver tenon rings and a brass tuning slide. Low Flute Combo Packages range from USD $1050 to USD $1750.
See the table below.
| Low Flute Prices |
All Mopane |
Blackwood Head, Mopane Body |
All Blackwood |
Sterling Silver
Rings
(no slide)
|
Tuning Slide plus Silver
Rings |
| Low B-flat |
$700 |
$750 |
$900 |
add $200 |
add $400 |
| Low A |
$700 |
$750 |
$900 |
add $200 |
add $400 |
| Combo Package |
|
|
|
add $200 |
add $400 |
Prices on the basic models of these flutes
are kept so low in part because they do not have metal
tuning slides. The top tenon is long, however, (about 33mm) which keeps the flute quite stable
while one makes intonation adjustments by pulling out
or pushing in the headjoint, allowing for about 7mm of tuning range. However, adding a tuning slide provides for maximum stability and minimum distortion of the bore.
When you're Ready to Buy:
We require a 25% deposit when you place your order. The balance will be due when your flute is ready to ship. Please contact us to arrange the details. You may pay by credit card, Paypal, check or mondey order.
Note: Your Low Flute will normally be ready within three or four
months. Keyed flutes will take longer.
The Session Headjoint
The Session Headjoint, shown below and in all of the low
flute photos on this page, comes standard with these low flutes. It has an
embouchure hole that is shaped to maximize response and liveliness while minimizing
the energy input required. This is the kind of embouchure that Grey prefers
and uses on his low flutes. However, if you desire a different style of embouchure,
arrangements can be made.
Top: The Session Headjoint from Grey's Low
Flute Combo Package, African Blackwood with sterling silver rings. Bottom:
Close-up of the same headjoint, showing more detail of its outer
carving with its three "dimples".
Measurement and Size Issues
Of course, these low flutes are longer than standard D flutes.
But, contrary to what you might expect, they are surprisingly easy to play.
The finger stretch is not challenging for most people, due to Casey's impressive
ingenuity with finger hole placement. In fact, the spacing of the finger holes
is very similar to that of a standard D flute.
Below is a table comparing the finger-hole spacing measurements
of Grey's D flute with those of the Casey Burns low B-flat and A flutes. The
measurements are from the center of one hole to the center of the next.
| Finger
Hole Spacing |
Left Hand
Hole 1 to Hole 2 |
Left Hand
Hole 2 to Hole 3 |
Right Hand
Hole 1 to Hole 2 |
Right Hand
Hole 2 to Hole 3 |
| D
Flute |
36 mm
1.42 inches |
36 mm
1.42 inches |
31 mm
1.22 inches |
36 mm
1.42 inches |
| B-flat
Flute |
37 mm
1.46 inches |
37 mm
1.46 inches |
39 mm
1.54 inches |
38 mm
1.50 inches |
| A
Flute |
39 mm
1.54 inches |
38 mm
1.50 inches |
39 mm
1.54 inches |
39 mm
1.54 inches |
To further enhance hand comfort, some of the finger holes
are offset from the central axis of the flute, as you can see in the photos
on this page. Also, since the top three finger holes and the bottom three
are on separate pieces of the flute, one can offset the alignment of these
two flute sections and find the optimum relationship of the top three holes
in relation to the bottom three holes.
Perhaps a more important consideration is the distance from
the center of the embouchure hole to the center of the first finger hole.
This is longer than on a D flute, and requires the left arm to extend out
to the right further than with a D flute. For the B-flat flute, this distance
is about about 29 centimeters, or 11.42 inches. For the A flute, it is about
32 centimeters, or 12.60 inches. Grey finds that most people can handle this
just fine, but some people with short arms may find it a uncomfortable, at
least at first. For reference, on Grey's D flute the distance from the center
of the embouchure hole to the center of the first finger hole is about 21.5
centimeters, or 8.46 inches.
This is summarized in the following table:
| |
Distance from center of embouchure hole to center of first finger
hole
|
| D
Flute |
21.5 centimeters
8.46 inches |
| B-flat
Flue |
29 centimeters
11.42 inches |
| A
Flute |
32 centimeters
12.60 inches |
It's easy to find out what this distance feels like on a
low A or B-flat flute. Find a one-meter measuring stick or a yard stick. Holding
it like a flute, place your mouth at the 3 centimeter or one-inch mark. To
simulate the B-flat flute, place the index finger of your left hand at the
32 centimeter or 12 and 3/8 inch mark. To simulate the A flute, place the
index finger of your left hand at the 35 centimeter or 13 and 5/8 inch mark.
Most people find this geometry to be very manageable, even if it feels unfamiliar
initially.
If you have any questions about these flutes that we have
not answered on this page, please feel free to contact
Grey.
Session Playing with Low Flutes
Grey loves playing these low flutes in Irish music sessions.
They contribute a new, warm, and fresh sound to a session. They are like the
violas of the flute family and can have the effect of pulling the group sound
together.
Since it is pitched a fourth lower than the standard D flute,
Grey plays the A flute in sessions by fingering the tunes as if they were
in a key a fourth higher than their normal key. These two factors then cancel
each other out, and the music comes out in the right place, matching the other
musicians in the session. In E-flat sessions, he uses the B-flat flute in
the same way.
To put this another way: the A flute plays one fourth lower
in pitch than the standard D flute. Grey fingers tunes on the A flute as if
the tunes were pitched one fourth higher than their normal pitch
level. The flute is lower, you finger the tunes in a higher key, and the music
comes out at the right pitch.
This works especially well for tunes in several of the common
keys for Irish music, as shown in the table below. For tunes in D-major, you
finger them in G-major, a very flute-friendly key. Tunes in E-minor you finger
in A-minor. Tunes in A-major you finger in D-major (much easier!). Tunes in
B-minor you finger in E-minor (also easier).
| Tunes
in: |
Finger them on the low A flute as if they were in: |
| D-major |
G-major |
| E-minor |
A-minor |
| A-major |
D-major |
| B-minor |
E-minor |
However, since this is a keyless flute, tunes in the keys
of G and A-minor don't translate so well. Playing them on the low flute would
require fingering them as if they were in C-major and D-minor respectively.
Both of scales contain F-natural, a note which is difficult to play in rapid
passages without keys.
So, Can You Get Keys?
Yes, Casey can retrofit keys onto his low flutes if you wish.
Or, you can order your flute with keys. Keywork is available at $450 per key.
Please be aware that ordering keywork may extend delivery time of your flute.
Please contact Grey if you are interested in
these options.
Tunes that Go Too Low for the Standard D Flute
Using the low flute is especially rewarding when playing
tunes which contain notes that go below the low D note of the D flute. On
the D flute, one must transpose such too-low notes up an octave. Using the
low flute, Grey plays such tunes with almost all their low notes in their
original low register. It's very satisfying to be able to do this when playing
along with fiddle, accordion, concertina, banjo, mandolin - the instruments
that are capable of playing below the range of the standard D flute. With an extended foot joint (adding low G# and G on an A flute for example) you can play all the way down to the lowest note of the fiddle or mandolin.
The Third Octave: Easier to Play!
Grey finds that the notes of the third octave speak much
more easily on these low flutes than on standard D flutes. With some practice,
you can learn the fingerings for the top of the second octave and the lower
part of the third octave. Then, not only can you play the low notes of tunes
which go below D, you can reach all the high notes of the tune in
their proper register as well. This is great for tunes like the reels Farrell
O'Gara, Martin Wynne's # 2 and Lafferty's.
Tune Transcriptions for Low Flutes
Click here to view and download a free transcription
of the reel Martin Wynne's #2. This transcription (the tune transposed
up a fourth to the key of G) shows how to finger it on a low A flute such
that it will sound in the correct key of D, in unison with other standard
session instruments. (If you play this on a low B-flat flute, the tune will
sound in E-flat.) To hear Grey play this tune on his low A flute, with ornamentation
as shown in the transcription, click here.
Note that you can play all of this reel's low notes in their
original register, as Martin Wynne played them on the fiddle. On a standard
D flute, you must transpose up an octave the notes that are below low D.
Note also that there are two notes in the B-part, the third
octave D and E, which are higher than what most Irish flute players are accustomed
to playing. As mentioned above, such high notes speak more easily on these
low flutes than on standard D flutes. Grey fingers the third octave D the
same way he fingers the second octave D, namely oxx|xxx,
simply blowing a faster stream of air. He fingers the third octave E as xxo|ooo,
which is also the standard fingering for A. When we use this fingering to
play A in the second octave, we are overblowing the flute to reach the first
harmonic of low A. By simply blowing slightly faster than that, we overblow
to the next higher (second) harmonic of low A, which gives us the desired
third octave E.
So, this way you can play the entire tune with all of its
notes in their original register, as Martin Wynn composed it and as other
fiddlers play it today.
Soon, Grey will make available more transcriptions showing
how to finger tunes on low A and B-flat flutes. Please check back here from
time to time, or contact Grey to ask him to notify
you when these transcriptions are ready.
Low Flutes Are Great for Accompanying Singers
Grey says, "When playing my standard D flute behind
a singer, I have so often wished I could play lower, blend better, and have
more freedom to explore underneath a vocal line. Now I can do so far better
than I had imagined. These low, darker flutes are perfect for blending with
the voice. I have a Boehm-system alto flute that I had procured largely for
this purpose. Now I have something much better."
Cases
Casey Burns' low flutes come with a heavy-duty cloth case, as pictured below.
For flutes that are ordered with keys, we provide a three-slot sewn zippered
case made by Mike Saunders in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Information on Mopane Wood
In testing less expensive alternatives to African Blackwood, Mopane, a tree
widely distributed in Africa, was found to be an excellent substitute.
A headjoint made of Mopane.
This wood has only begun to be recognized for its similar properties to Blackwood
and flutemakers are using it more and more. It has a beautiful red-brown color
which darkens with age, and a lovely figured grain.
On Sapwood Inclusions
Casey Burns flutes may have sapwood inclusions.
Sapwood inclusion in Grey Larsen's Low B-flat flute, African
Blackwood
Mopane and African Blackwood sapwood can be quite light in
color, providing a striking and beautiful contrast to the dark-colored heartwood.
In no way do sapwood inclusions affect tonal qualities or durability of the
instrument. Through utilization of Mopane pieces with sapwood inclusions we
improve our stewardship of this resource while providing beautiful, affordable
flutes. Casey Burns currently uses wood cut in South Africa.
When you're Ready to Buy:
We require a 25% deposit when you place your order. The balance will be due when your flute is ready to ship. Please contact us to arrange the details. You may pay by credit card, Paypal, check or mondey order.
Note: Your Low Flute will normally be ready within three or four months. Keyed flutes will take longer.
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