 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-11 16:03
Well, it is rather odd because I am asking it on a clarinet board but who else am I going to ask?
I have come into possession of an Eb soprano flute. I don't play flute (I play clarinet!) Well, I do know that this Eb flute has the same fingering as it's C flute (standard flute) counterpart (other than it is missing the very last key at the bottom which is responsible for the very low notes which a soprano flute isn't supposed to play anyway!)
So, I got a hold of a flute fingering chart and transposed the note names to the proper key. Now I can learn the notes. Now here is my question, is it worth all of this effort? I will never be able to find Eb flute music as Eb soprano flutes are not even made anymore. (I checked with Yamaha, Emerson and Gemeinhardt just to make sure). This flute is about 75 years old and in near mint condition.
I I continue to learn how to play this thing then I will have to transpose everything piece I play. I really want to learn how to play a new insturment but now I am thinking I might be better off making a display piece out of this.
Sigh............. Any words of wisdom?
Shelly
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-04-11 16:13
Why not play it using the C flute fingering (pretend it's a C flute). The flute will tranpose the music, and it shouldn't matter if you play alone. Just relax and enjoy.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-04-11 16:25
What do you mean by "...very low notes which a soprano flute isn't supposed to play anyway". A well adjusted flute, particularly a modern one, plays these notes very well. If there is a limitng factor it is mainly the player, not the flute!
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-04-11 16:34
Gordon: I "assumed" she was referring to the low B option, but maybe not.
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Author: jo
Date: 2001-04-11 17:01
Picc doesn't have a low C#, C or B. Maybe she is referring to something of that nature.
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-11 17:09
Yup, a standard C flute has an extra key at the bottom (I think it is a B key?) this flute doesn't have that but it has all of the rest of the keys. The fingering I can play starts with the F right above middle C. As far as I can tell, this is the lowest note I can play. It is the same fingering as D above middle C for the standard flute.
The lowest note on a standard flute is middle C. I can not finger that nor the C# because I am missing that key. (If I could finger it on this flute it would be the notes Eb and E natural respectively)
Does that make sense? The only reason I understand it is because I also play piano.
michele
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-04-11 17:15
Does it have 3 sections like a flute: headjoint, body and foot joint; or two sections: headjoint and body like a piccolo?
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Author: Mike Irish
Date: 2001-04-11 17:50
the lowest note playible on my C flute is middle C......it is a toughy for me, cause it takes very little air, and I am use to giving quite a bit...
I can do three octives with it.... but the top end of the third is rough..
I would venture to say, it maybe dont have the key for middle c ( or the equivelant fingering.... )
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-04-11 18:01
Shelly -
Artley tried to popularize the Eb flute in the late 1950s and early 60s. They put out a record, "Flutists' Showcase," that featured it along with several other non-standard flutes. It shows up in used record bins from time to time and is worth looking for, since it has some really fine fluting.
The Eb flute never caught on, and as you say they're not made any more, except perhaps on custom order from a high-priced maker. Even when Artley introduced it, they pushed it mainly as an Eb clarinet replacement in bands, since a flute is easier to play up high than an Eb clarinet and doesn't squeal like an Eb clarinet in the hands of a less than expert player.
I tried one years ago. It played very easily -- more so than a regular flute in C. If you want a break from clarinet and have no Eb clarinet in your band, you can play the part on your flute.
Have fun. That's what it's for.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Al
Date: 2001-04-11 23:38
As suggested by Bill above, just play regular flute music and it will sound fine................a minor 3rd higher. If,however, you're
going to play in a band, why not ask if you can play the Eb clarinet part?
Of course you won't be able to play down to the written E(soundsG) but it will work.
Al
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-04-12 01:30
Actually the Eb flute goes back further than the 1950s/1960s. Once upon a time, in some areas, flute/piccolo choirs were popular. The Eb and other versions were used in these choirs. Other than the C flute (which was used in orchestras), most of these flutes in other keys did not have the keys to play the printed C and C#. So your Eb flute is "normal" in that regard. You can also find band music from the early 1900s that sometimes called for Eb flutes.
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-12 01:48
I was sure that the Eb flute did go back further because this one is at least 75 years old. I guess I will play around with it a bit and not retire it to hanging on my wall yet
Shelly
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Author: Willie
Date: 2001-04-12 04:33
Is this an alto flute (slightly larger that a "C") or a model smaller that the "C".
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-12 16:51
It's a soprano flute, same diameter but shorter. The headjoint is actually longer than a C flute but the over all length is shorter.
michele
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Author: beth
Date: 2001-04-12 22:42
they have new Eb flutes in the woodwind and brasswind catolog...so i think they're still made. and the Eb flute i guess is used in flute choirs...i played a flute septet for NYSSMA which was written for 5 C Flutes, 1 G Alto Flute, and 1 Eb Soprano Flute...The Eb flute was 'flute 1' so most of the time it was the lead part (also flute 2 which was the highest C flute) and had any solo parts that there were...so i guess it may play an important role in some flute choirs? the score came with transposed parts for the Eb and Alto flute parts...unfortunatly we played it with 7 C Flutes.
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-12 23:50
WOW! Can you tel lme how to get a copy of this catalog??
Shelly
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-04-13 09:31
They have an on line catalog (pdf format) at http://www.wwandbw.com . You can call them at 1 800 348-5003, and ask them to send you one. I only "saw" (no picture) an Emerson Eb for $1,475. It's on back order.
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-13 16:51
I found them, thanks. Yes, I saw that Eb flute too. It is so funny because Emerson told they didn't make them any more. I almost fainted when I saw the pirce. I guess I need to take pretty good care of this one!
Shelly
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Author: meg
Date: 2001-04-13 17:36
mmm...that's a doozy.
Is there a way you can learn its fingerings as if it were in C? I don't really know if that just made any sense, but hey, why not?
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-13 17:50
I can use a C flute fingering chart but I have to transpose the notes. For example, I look at the chart and learn the fingering for a D but when I blow it I am not playing a D but rather an F! I can get a little confusing I have to remember I am playing 3 half steps up. Thank goodness I like challenges
Shelly
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Author: joseph o'kelly
Date: 2001-04-20 23:15
Why don't you sell it and buy a standard C flute. From what I see these Eb flutes sell pretty high in price. You might be able to buy a pretty nice C flute.
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