 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-10-30 23:06
Hello
I'm a (very ordinary) flautist, I've been asked to play a gig with clarinet (doubling flute).
Those other doublers out there - what is a "decent" flute to use as my "second" instrument that won't break my bank.
your input is appreciated
(p.s. I'm only interested in responses from those of you who currently play clarinet and own a flute for doubling purposes).
diz, sydney
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-30 23:20
diz...The Yamaha flutes are high quality and very consistant.
The 300/400 series are the intermediate flutes - probably a good place to start. The 200 series are the student models, and the high end starts with the 500 series and continues upwards.
In addition, many doublers (clarinetists) find having an offset G key to be most comfortable.
Good luck...GBK
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Author: Pam
Date: 2002-10-31 00:01
I play flute also and concur with the opinion that the Yamaha flutes are a good place to start. I have a used 285II which they don't make anymore with open holes and a c foot. You probably won't need a b-foot right away; and believe it or not it's the lower notes that are harder to play on the flute than the ones in the upper range at least in the beginning.
Mine has an in-line G, but whatever you are more comfortable with is fine. I've never heard that one way is better than the other.
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-10-31 00:03
I would agree with GBK. I've tried a few of the intermediate Yamahas and like them better than the Gemeinhardt 3SHB I own.
I've not had a problem with my inline G though. When I've tried offset G flutes, I don't personally notice that much of a difference, although the one I tried that also had Split E really made the E sound good! I've heard from "real" flutists though that it causes other problems with respect to intonation or something on some other high notes...YMMV.
Katrina
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-10-31 00:12
I use the Yamaha 481H. It's all the flute I need for doubling. I think that a new headjoint would be the next step for me rather than buying a new flute. I've seen head joints that sell for nearly $5K. Nuts isn't it!
jbutler
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-10-31 00:50
diz: I play flute rarely, but it is enjoyable now and then. My instrument is a Buffet 228 -- no world-beater, but it does the job. In fact, it's better than the one I used many years ago for pop music doubling. I got it through eBay for less than US$100 and then spent about 25 or 30 having it spiffed up a bit (yes, I do my own Clarinet repair -- but this is not a Clarinet, you may have noticed). GBK is wise. Unless your ring finger and middle finger are near the same length (mine are not), get one with offset G key. To me, playing a flute with an inline G key is about as ergonomically satisfying as opening a can of beer with a railroad spike. And if you are an "ordinary" flautist, you've got me beat. I'm "sub-mediocre" at best.
Regards,
John
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-31 02:40
My flute is an old King open hole with a B foot--in line G, but it works for me. I use it in show orchestras and jazz gigs, but as a flutist, I'm pretty good at clarinet and saxs.
BTW, speaking of doublers, has anyone watched the trombone player in the Letterman Orchestra. Sometimes he plays trumpet and flute, but last night, he was doing the Stars and Stripes picc solo and sounding good. The "middle" guy stays with the trumpet and the sax player plays all the sax stuff (never clarinet, though). But this other horn guy seems to "do it all". Anybody know anymore about him????
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-10-31 03:50
I have a new appreciation for doublers. Two weeks age my wife and I attended a touring stage show called "Radio Days" featuring four very talented singers and selections from the 30s/40s repertoire of big band music. In this performance they were accompanied by the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, seated onstage, with five woodwind players:
Book 1 - Bb clarinet and alto sax
Book 2 - Bb clarinet, alto sax and flute
Book 3 - Bb clarinet, alto sax and flute
Book 4 - Bb clarinet and tenor sax
Book 5 - Bb clarinet, bass clarinet and bari sax
I confess, I didn't watch the singers all that much, but I was in absolute awe of these terrific musicians.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-10-31 04:14
Yep - you might be surprised to know this type of combo happens in Oz too - artfully doubling is a skill, to be sure
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-10-31 04:44
William writes:
"speaking of doublers, has anyone watched the trombone player in the Letterman Orchestra. Sometimes he plays trumpet and flute, but last night, he was doing the Stars and Stripes picc solo and sounding good. The "middle" guy stays with the trumpet and the sax player plays all the sax stuff (never clarinet, though). But this other horn guy seems to "do it all". Anybody know anymore about him????"
His name is Tom Malone, and he's one of NYC's great doublers. Tom's a charming guy and an amazing doubler.
I play clarinet, sax, and flute, and suggest you find the very best instrument you can. If it's a double, it should be a great horn.
The finest doublers in NYC have and use only the best all the time.
Never take an inferior instrument on any gig, no matter how small a job it may be. You'll be judged by your last bad performance. Always use the best instruments you can find and afford. If you can't afford a good flute, don't play it professionally. The people who pay you deserve the best for their money. You need to sound good whenever you play in public, so practice on and perform with fine instruments. Live music needs to sound great if we are to survive.
JJM
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-10-31 05:36
Years ago, one of my teachers was the former principle flutist of the Israeli Philharmonic. At that time, I owned an Armstrong 104 which is the cheapest of flutes and will hardly sell on Ebay. He never suggested once that I get a better flute. It still plays easily but the sound is not well focussed. Now I feel that there is a correlation between the price you pay and the ease of playing and have played for quite a long time on a Brannen which seems to play itself. The student level Emerson flutes seem pretty good and the Yamaha student flutes seem pretty good also. This week, I fixed a silver Selmer flute with gold keys that sounded ok and was fairly easy to play. Good luck!
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Author: David
Date: 2002-10-31 12:35
I don't get the Letterman show over here, but wasn't he in Jake and Elwood's band?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-31 12:41
David...Yes...Click on the bio link referenced above...GBK
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Author: David
Date: 2002-10-31 17:03
Oops, thanks. I sailed right past it the first time.
Not often you see people straying from woodwind to brass (or vice versa).
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-11-03 21:05
I think Diz was talking about a cheaper step up model so I will put forward a couple of suggestions other than Yamaha. Do not buy a Yamaha F100 ASII under any circumstances! A Temby Australia mid range with a plated body but solid silver head is good value, likewise is the same configuration of Jupiter providing you look after them. Also the Armstrong 102SS or 102SSE (split E) are good value and again have a solid silver head. I know suggesting anything Taiwanese is likely to invite ridicule but the lower priced Yamaha's are made either there or Indonesia anyway. I use an old Deford although I seldom double flute anymore.
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