 The Fingering Forum
|
Author: Matt R.
Date: 2000-06-16 19:08
What are advantages and disadvantages of an open-hole flute
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bill
Date: 2000-06-16 21:05
The primary advantage of an open hole flute is that it forces correct hand position. If a hole is not completely covered, the note won't sound or sound correctly. Strict hand position is a disadvantage for a beginner or a person with hand problems. Beginners usually start out with an inexpensive closed hole flute, and high school students feel a sense of achievement in going to an open hole flute.
You can get an open hole flute, and use plugs. This may affect the tone very slightly, since the open hole flute was designed to play "open." You can also do some note shading with an open hole flute, but most players never use this technique. If peer pressure is not an issue, then get whichever one you think you'll be most happy with.
Other questions are C-foot vs. B-foot. The latter makes the flute heavy, but gives an extra not (low B) which you may rarely use. Some say the B foot improves intonation, but I'm not sure this is true. Off-set G vs. in-line G is another consideration.
I'd avoid an inexpensive silver plate flute.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-06-19 14:35
Most clarinets are made open-hole. A closed-hole clarinet is a rarity, although they do exist. The reasons for using the open hole system are usually just that there are less pads to go wrong and that the construction is less complex and therefore cheaper. I presume the same applies to flutes.
The reasons given by Bill all seem valid to me too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bill
Date: 2000-06-19 16:49
Eoin - The open hole Boehm flute keys have pads. They are donut style, i.e., a hole in the middle. There are simple system flutes that do not have keys, and hence no pads.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bethany
Date: 2000-09-12 15:46
i play open hole and have been for 4 yrs. now. i like it because when i go to competition the judges like the open whole better and i think it is because it takes more skill to play open whole!
do you play open whole?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: saxyboy
Date: 2002-02-18 17:14
I know this topic is kinda old, but i figured i'd answer it. "open hole" flutes simply have the middle part of a key ring removed. this allows for the key to be depressed and vented at the same time. For some higher notes it will correct the pitch, without distorting the sound. Also you'll notice in the charts on this page that some high trills involve pressing only the "ring" of the key ring, which isn't possible on a closed hole. Also most open hole flutes come with a "B" foot, which is useful in getting high notes. It's not really a "prestige" thing it's just that open hole flutes allow more complex figures.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
