SIMPLE-SYSTEM TRANSVERSE FLUTES

Transverse Flutes - (from left to right) Sweetheart Maple Bb Fife, Casey Burns Blackwood Low D flute, Sweetheart Cherry C Fife, Casey Bruns Mopane Low d flute, Sweetheart Cloos Bb Fife

Irish flutes, whistles and fifes are part of the simple-system flute family. They are usually conical-bore, diatonic instruments and have six tone holes that, when covered, play the lowest note of the scale in the key to which they are tuned. This type of flute is what was played before Boehm introduced the fully chromatic silver flute associated today with classical music.

Simple-system flutes are usually made of wood, such as cocus, Blackwood, rosewood, ebony and boxwood, and may have up to thirteen keys. Six keys are necessary for a fully chromatic flute. Most Irish musicians play in the key of D so the D flute, like the D whistle, is the standard, although flutes are available in a broad range of keys.

When searching for a flute, it is important to decide whether or not a tuning slide is needed. As the flute warms up, it becomes sharper, and a tuning slide is important when playing with other instruments. Some tuning slides actually provide a lining for the inside of the entire head joint. This can give a clearer tone, but it also increases the risk of cracking a wooden head joint since the metal does not give room for the wood to shrink.

Another important factor is the size of the tone holes. Larger tone holes, such as those on flutes based on Pratten or Rudall and Rose models, give a loud, reedy sound. However, the stretch may be difficult for beginners or players with small hands.

The embouchure hole shape also influences the sound. A more square shape requires more air and a more controlled lip shape in order to obtain the proper air stream angle. Some flute makers are adding a cutaway feature to the far side of the embouchure hole, and this may make it easier for a beginner to get a clearer tone from the instrument.

Where material types are concerned, blackwood and ebony give a darker tone, while boxwood is mellower. Polymer and bamboo are becoming very popular for their lower cost. Bamboo flutes are not available with keys. Polymer is an excellent material for those who have allergies to woods and it is cheaper and more durable than wood.

Keyless flutes may be in two or three sections. The advantage of three sections is the ability to rotate the right hand to a position that may be more comfortable to the player. Keyed flutes need this even more to allow for a more comfortable reach of the keys.