*Pulls flute out of box.* *Assrmbles flute.* *Stares at flute for 10 minutes pushing random keys and playing random tunes.* "Maaan, this is the coolest thing I own."
I'm 62, I haven't touched my Yamaha flute for years. I was so discouraged Through Jr. and Senior High school because I had so much tension and just could not play fast. My tone was excellent but no speed at all. Now I know why. My hands are exactly like yours!!!! Now I may dig my flute out and try the cork and the ports. Maybe I can regain my love for the instrument. Thank you!!!
Hi, late reply here. You could also think about not having tension in your hand and just checking every few minutes/whenever you can the tension in your hand. I think that, in this video, there is a lot of psychology: she probably could have good grip on her flute without the cork and hand holder if she believe she could without them. Also, there is no rational way in which having your index finger pulled back more will elongate a back muscle. Tendons for the fingers and the wrists go through the forearm and stop at the elbow. This means that there was artificial tension created by a phsychological factor. Here, it might be a case study of "I don't think I can do it without this accessory", so buying it will fix the problem. But it is psychological in nature, so there are other ways to fix the problem. I really don't want to put myself above these problems as they affect me frequently, and they are almost innate things so they are incredibly hard to fend off. Having a clear image of your sound is a lot more important than having an instrument "corresponding" to your sound in my opinion, and it also applies to your technique. Imagine your hands and how they are placed on the instrument, but in your head. Inspect them. Where is the tension? What doesn't "feel" right (not what you semantically think/have been told isn't)? Just bringing these into consciousness will most likely fix at least a few things. If you have a few hours and 20$, I would highly recommend you read Timothy Gallwey's "The Inner Game of Tennis". It is beyond incredibly helpful, and may save you a lot of trouble and make you progress faster.
I think you should. Don't give up on your love for the flute. I'm 48 and started playing December 2019 Christmas day. I'm a long time musician having played guitar for over 36 years.
Ravi V thank you Ravi. I have played the Shakuhachi Japanese flute. John Neptune Kizune gave me a beginner lesson in Japan many years ago. Is a beautiful instrument as is the Indian flute.
Luis Donado thank you Luis, I looked at my flute in the case just yesterday but alas life has changed dramatically. Just no time at all now. Health and peace to you.
I love the tone of your rose gold flute! I honestly refuse to pick up a gold flute at festivals or flute events, because I already love how gold sounds when other people play it. I know I'll want one, and I just can't afford it 😕. The scary thing is, if I really wanted it, I'd kill myself with overtime to make it happen. I play an Altus and I love it. I don't want anything to destroy my love for my flute or I'll destroy myself trying to get a gold one! But your flute is basically my dream flute .... just with in line!
I have LONG AF FINGERS. Well before I got my customized flute, I would have a hard time playing fast and my fingers would hurt. Then I went to a local flute event and a flute maker asked to see my hands. She looked at them and brought me a flute, it was silver. It's was heavenly to say the least. She told me that the flute she gave me had rise keys. Soon I bought a new flute with the customization and it's treating me well.
It definitely sounds like the gold really supports your tone! For me I feel like I have a naturally bright tone on flute so when I played on a gold flute I felt like it was slightly dampening my tone and projection which I hated therefore I only look to silver flutes and I found silver really works for my sound.
+Gamer of the Winds That's great! That's exactly what I mean when I say that no one type of flute fits everyone. I'm so glad you found the one for you!
Gamer of the Winds Same here! When I was in high school, I fantasized about playing on a gold flute but it wasn't until three years ago that I realized that I really like the combination of a silver body with a gold headjoint. It's all a matter of preference. For my sound, I actually prefer silver over gold even though in the future, I might consider getting a gold headjoint
I think you have to reach a certain level in musical discernment to appreciate the differences in sound you described between the gold and silver flute. I probably comes with having heard a lot of flute music and training your ear. The beginner, like myself, is going to find it hard to pick up on and appreciate the differences. I purchased a thumb port based on your recommendation and it has been a big help in relieving stress in my right hand.
Exactly! As I mentioned in a previous post, flutes have already been altered from a flute in the 60s and a flute in the 90s. So about every 30 years a new flute is manufactured.
When you said that you had short thumbs I looked at my hands and realized I had the same issue!!! For a long time I would get a lot of pain in my right thumb and my teacher was considered about conditions surrounding that. So she had me order a Bo pep thumb guide. I should have listened to the reviews because while it helps me it is just a hunk of plastic that slides around on my flute. Also when you mentioned that you had the problem of your fingers going to the side when you play I have that same issue. I will be definitely ordering the thumbport because I believe it will help me a lot as a flutist and also no scratch up my flute as much as my Bo Pep does (still angry about it 😐) Thank you so much for your video this was really informational!!!
I've just bought myself a Fingerport and Thumbport after watching your video! Great advice for a fellow small-handed flautist! I'm already amazed at the difference its made, I've suffered a lot from pains and spasms in my arm if I play for a long time! I'm looking forward to seeing the long term benefits!! :) Thank you!! :)
Being an old timer, I have to giggle in amazement at the current technological advancements. I learned how on an Armstrong offset-g, plateau-keyed silver plate instrument, then as soon as I could afford it, bought a used 1965 solid silver Haynes with C foot, in-line open keys, and soldered tone holes. Best flute I ever played in my life, and none of the extra frillies of today, lol! But if I start testing out gold, and B foots, and high E facilitators and C# trill keys, I might go insane with envy! You're right...as times change, instruments change too. Love your videos!!😃
I want to customize my clarinet but so much money 😵 it'll be worth it in the future though. So in a few years, probably. I'm saving up money for a tenor sax
same, i’ve been playing alto, bari, soprano, and tenor recently. if you know alto you can learn tenor very easy! it’s been two months, and i’ve gotten really good to tenor!
If you know clarinet, you know the basis for almost every woodwind (except probably the reeds - I have no idea though - never tried them!) It’s amazing how many clarinetists are encouraged to play tenor! Obviously not only is it the same key but 80% the same fingerings... also. If you have the embouchure for clarinet you can DEFINITELY play the tenor.... just loosen. EVERYTHING Lol. I played the clarinet through high school and continued on with the tenor... (that’s 10 years on clarinet... haven’t played for almost 20... been playing tenor for 22 years). Now I’m trying to get back to the clarinet and it’s RIDICULOUS how weak my embouchure and lungs have gotten. But dang it, I’ll get there!
Ik this reply is late, but Tenor is amazing. I recently asked my teacher if I could play tenor for jazz [switching from flute] and playing it is very fun. I also really want to play alto flute and clarinet... tenor be noicenoice
Thank you so much for doing these videos. I never had a private lesson teacher until college and even then she never really suggested any ways I could get my flute to work for me not the other way around. I have small hands too, and your suggestions and explanations of your experiences have been invaluable to my flute search and improvement on my flute! Thank you!!!!!
This video is very helpful. I was feeling tension in my right hand and pinky and I ordered a thumb port. I tried my teacher's thumb port and I could reach the pinky keys so easily. Thanks for mentioning that!
I just got a thumbport, you were my inspiration for getting it. I have smallish hands, but also have the same issue with my thumb not reaching the first knuckle of my index finger. I've only played with it once since I got it, but I can feel it helping.
Omg! I used to play flute but gave it up after about 7 years never liking the high register. Anyway, was about to shut you off when at 7:30 you showed us the cork on the left hand first finger and you said Paul Horn had that too, wow. But I actually had a reaction after a few years on that finger and it would swell up to twice the size and was related to the tendons in the palm being too tight (or something like that doctors said) and I had to get a four hour operation on that finger. Took about a year to be normal again. I play trumpet now, and like it better for the fatter sound. When I first learned about flutes, had I known about alto flute maybe that would have been better. Anyway, that's my story. ciao.
A little story- I was at the Florida Flute Convention and I went up to the Brannen flute "booth" and the sales associate there had lipstick on her tooth and I kept talking to her wondering if I should tell her. I ended up not telling her, because that would have been awkward. Let me explain why- I'm a 13 year old girl and the sales associate was some very well accomplished flute player. Well..... That would have been awkward. Love your channel!❤️
Personally, I adore the tone of wood flutes, as they fit my style best. Silver is very bright and projects, but as a bassoonist, my playing style is best suited by a mellow sound with lots of overtones. I prefer to blend and be a lot more submissive in playing. Not so much a bad way, but simply more blended. It makes solos that much more special, and while I may not sound in a manner that stands out, when I play with small groups or unaccompanied. Unfortunately I don't own my own wood flute, but the chances I've gotten to play then have been magical
9:29 When trilling between B and C#, you don’t have to lift both the B key and the C key, you only have to lift the C key because usually the B key has no affect On the notes unless the the C key is down (with the exception of middle D and Eb and upper register notes). It’s kind of the same when trilling between Bb and C, you don’t have use the Bb key, all you have to do is lift your thumb key, your right index finger being down on the F key has no affect when playing C.
I love gold flutes! I want to buy one for my mom one day as a gift. She used to play flute in high school, all she has is her ancient student flute. I would so love to surprise her with a beautiful rose or yellow gold flute. They are so beautiful and smooth and clear in sound, so warm. Its a whole other world when playing on a gold flute
I got a fingerport after watching your video about it! My left hand was getting the weirdest pains when I played high notes (I was gripping on for dear life, too, which didn't help), and ever since I've barely gotten any pains. So thank goodness for your video! I bought a flute several years ago without a B foot because I said to my foolish 14 year old self, "A flute's not supposed to play B! It's not like I'll ever need it! Maybe once or twice in my life!" Oh, little Jemima. You fool. I've just now bought a professional silver b-foot, c-sharp-trill, gizmo Altus with a fancy head joint. It has killed my bank account, but oh am I happy!!!
i have real long fingers, and as soon as i see the cork cemented on the C key, i knew i needed to do that, as soon as i put it on, i feel so much more comftble, you said not to copy you, but this i knew i needed, thank you ever so much for the idea.
Omg when you said you had backpain from playing and having tension on your left index, my life made so much more sense! I am so tense playing the flute that my hands cramp and my back hurts so bad after an hour of practice! Gonna try this hack with my student flute!
Ty you finally explained why I had so many issues playing when I was in high school. I gave it up, but will be getting some of those customizations and try returning to playing. Ty
I just purchased a thumbport a few months ago and it has changed my life. I put so much pressure on my right thumb that it would hurt and my pinky would flatten when using it. My hands are not small by any means, but I never realized most peoples thumbs go to the first joint of the index finger. Mine most definitely do not, which is interesting. I might do some research on the cork for the left index finger.
Thank you SO much for making this video. I played flute for years, but have hands almost identical to yours: the same thumb size, everything. (In fact, now in my 30's, I've yet to meet a grown adult who has hands smaller than mine.) This was a huge problem for me, and I was never able to once play low B since I also had open keys. I am just getting another flute after 20 years away and I am so excited to try out some of these extensions.
I love my Yamaha. I have a Julius Baker signature model and i don't see myself playing anything else, ever. Funny enough. I'd rather play a Yamaha piano over Steinway, Any day. So much easier to play for those of us with really short fingers.
Shelly W I actually bought a Yamaha flute a few months after I commented that and I must agree with you:it is a lot easier for my short fingers to play. It’s also is a much higher quality flute than my previous Gemeinhardt. I love it.
Hey Joanna! This video was very helpful! I've been thinking into getting a fingerport and after hearing this video, I analyzed the size of my hands and how they're shaped when holding the flute. I even looked up a hand diagram of proportions and I realized a lave a long palm with short fingers 😂 I know feel like a fingerport would help. Also, I have a video suggestion. I've been playing the flute for about three and a half years and in the books I've studied in band, we've practiced lots of technique exercises as you mentioned in your 'I hated practicing technique' video. In that video, you also mentioned natural, harmonic, and melodic "forms" of music. I don't know if I am just too inexperienced so far or if those "forms" are not taught. If/when I continue music I'll probably learn more about those forms, but I would love a video about it and to hear what you have to say on them. :)
WOW our experiences could not be more different. The first time I picked up a gold flute was at KMEA All-State music festival, and it was a Muramatsu. Then an Altus. Then a Miyazawa... and I knew I hated gold! It's really warm and dark and covered, but it was so stuffy. I never found gold to ever be responsive. I actually prefer the brighter tone of silver with a touch of platinum on the lip, and I definitely prefer the feel. Also, heavy wall headjoint can give some of that darkness without any response issues. I also just realized my thumb is short... My thumb comes nowhere near my first knuckle... I had to quit flute. I moved to oboe because I was getting tendonitis in my right hand. Oh, wow. Realization.
Thank you SO much for showing the bopep and thumb extension! I have the little Asian hands (thanks mom!) and have always had major hand cramps after long practices. I found piccolo during marching season to be a relief because there weren’t any finger strains going on. Going to look into buying these two mods and get back to my Gemeinhardt silver headed open holed extended B foot flute ❤️❤️❤️
Man, you inspired me to pick up my trumpet... haven't played it in two months... been depressed. Thanks for making great vids :) it's nice to see that you thought hard about your flute and just didn't buy it for looks. It's nice that you make others think and to not just follow the famous people... i know everything is differ for everyone but what flute would you recomend for a noob flute player but that has been playing music and flute ever so often? Man, I wish you did more vids where you play more like cover or something. I know there are many that do this type of stuff but you're sound is awesome. In band or orchestra or any ensemble do you ever find yourself switching flutes to acomódate easier? Like blend or lead easier? Great vids like always!! I think i might play with some of those things you use... not because I have small hands but I think I have too big hands ... hm.... haha!
Oh my flute I have customized it with a hand crutch, like the solexa fingerport, but it's a Bo-Pep hand rest with a bassoon crutch bracket attached to it, and my onyx bassoon handrest. It's pretty large, but it means I don't have to the cork installed on my C key. I have a split F# on my picc, and I am hoping for a Brossa F# someday. Same goes for the C# trill. I have a silver headjoint as well as a wood covered nickel-silver headjoint with an ONYX lip plate and blow-edge. As for my piccolo, I've got an antique ivory headjoint (a pain to travel with; I have to get sneaky), to go with my ebonite one, I got cork pads installed, and on my marching piccolo I have chrome pads installed; they definitely help projection.
Funny I should watch this just as I'm learning the same LOTR tune you played here. I'm a newbie, I've only played for 5 weeks but I'm very allergic to my student flute. My flute teacher reckons I've managed to learn in a month what most people learn in 6 months, and he was very happy to hear I'm getting ready to get step-up flute, as he feels it'll help me progress even faster. The flute I'm looking at has a rose gold lip plate. It won't sound as beautiful as your solid rose gold flute, but I'm confident it will have some of the mellow sound. Can't wait for my next paycheck to arrive so I can get my new flute!
I bought a thumb port a few weeks ago for my flute and it has made a huge difference, but I didn't even think about the fact that I have a short thumb! I've thought about looking into a fingerport for my left hand to see if that helps my baby hands find a more comfortable position. I loved this video!
Hello! Just sharing Joanna's end question. I own a Sankyo Silver flute with the specs of B foot, split E mech with offset G, C# trill key and heavy wall(.42mm wall)! And I absolutely love it. :)
Oh my god. Why haven't I heard of a c# trill key 5 years ago when I got my new flute. It bleos my mind how big of a difference you can hear even in the video. I cannot imagine what it sounds like in real life. I fell like this must be heaven on earth.
Omg. Ok, I think I'm in love with gold flutes now. Tho, I think it'll be a very long time before I could get one, so I'll have I stick with a silver. But the sound was so beautiful and warm! I have really small hands too, and I think I may invest in a finger port and thumb port.
I tried both the thumbport and the finger port and for me it's more comfortable to play without them because I have long fingers. I chose offset g because it's more comfortable for my hands and when I've tried inline I always have to strain my ring finger. I did not try a gold flute until I was 20 ( I outgrew my intermediate flute pretty quickly) and that was because my first teacher from my undergrad played on a 14k rose gold Jack Moore flute with silver keys and my last teacher, she would have me play on her flute ( She had a silver Powell body with a 14k yellow gold Nagahara headjoint)for some things because she would frustrated with the mechanism on my old flute ( I currently play on an Altus but at that time I was still playing on my Gemeinhardt.) I got that Gemeinhardt in 2010 which was the summer before my senior year of high school which was also before they overhauled the whole Gemeinhardt line in 2012. I dreamed of having a gold flute in high school but now I actually like the combination of gold and silver. In the future, I might consider getting a gold headjoint.😃❤️🎼🎹
+Kiara Eijo That is awesome! I really love that companies have come out with gold/silver alloys, since that offers more color/warmth/depth varieties. So glad you found the flute for you! 😊
I never knew that foot joints were so varied. I think my student flute (cause I was poor and never went on past it) actually came with a b foot but many of the other flutes in my school band had just a c foot. Also, my thumb is like yours, so I might have to get me a thumb port to give it a try.
love this vid, love the comparison. i think you chose a perfect tune to show the difference. i hear the warm tones you are talking about. i also hear crisper end of notes. the gold seems to have superior resonance that stops the moment air passage stops with no residual reverberation.
oh. my. god. I never thought that i'd find someone with the same hand position problems as me!!!! my hands are literally the exact same size as yours (my thumbs are so short) and fast playing is my biggest downfall as a flute player because my fingers get so tired and so strained. thank you SO much for telling me about the finger/thumb ports!! i'm excited to order these items and try them out!
I am thinking the fingerport for sure would help me out a lot. One of the reasons I've played less after college is because there is so much tension in my left pointer finger to the point that I get an indentation in my finger from playing. Will need to assess my right hand position to see if the thumbport would be needed. I'm currently saving up for an offset G flute as I know 100% I need that. I definitely struggle to reach the G key with ring finger. Thank you for making this video!
Omg when you mentioned piccolo music being written with low Cs and Bs I wanted to cry because I've come in contact with that problem an unbelievable amount of times... Wow... I feel so much better knowing that I wasn't going crazy.
Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for this input. That's was excactly what I was looking for - how to improve sound and handling. Good job. And I like your channel. You are funny. Keep up that good work :)
Interesting... I play an older Haynes, open hole, in line G, low B. My hands are fairly large, so it's fine for me. But I've always found the gizmo key a bit of a stretch, and not really necessary (my Haynes doesn't have it). For me, it's really pretty easy to push down only the B key (if C/C# close a little too, it doesn't hurt anything).
I believe the Woodwind Anthology has an article that demonstrates in earlier centuries the piccolo had had its range extended downward as low as Bb by a few manufacturers. Orchestration books such as by Forsyth present many instruments that have enjoyed a period of inclusion and then became either obsolescent or obsolete. Maestro Jean Pierre Rampal had been quoted regarding "extra" keys. "It is not to make the insrument easier. It is to practice." I enjoyed your heart-felt thoughtful presentation in this video. It gave me, basically a single reed player, some isight on how to stablize my hands when they tire in a long practice session. While I don't know who the Haynes family apprenticed, they began a dynasty: W S Haynes begat Verne Q Powell begat the Brannen Brothers, assistedby Albert Cooper. That's quite a lineage. Best wishes.
I never knew I wanted to play a gold flute till now. I feel like I know exactly how to set it up and get playing since my hands are just like yours! - Only I play the violin, not the flute ;)
Hi, thanks for all your great videos! What do you think of the Tornado tone booster? Dropped one in my head joint few years ago, Seems to help third octave notes especially.
Your youthful enthusiasm warmed my old heart. Your hands are just fine, by the way. They are well proportioned and very nice. I got a callus on the side of my left first finger, sort of a biological "rest"! I noticed some notes on your rose gold Brannen Brothers flute had greater resonance, that can just happen, but I wondered if all the ergonomic aids might be damping? Remember those the old left-hand knob things on old flutes, forgot what they're called, a rest? People took them all off because somebody said that they damped the tone. Does it sound better naked, done up, or does it even matter? Did you ever get an ulcer below your lower lip? I did, from the tarnish, perhaps. Oh well, keep up the good work!
The silver flute sounded like a lot more airy and soft, and the gold one was like a lot clearer and richer tone it was so pretty
*Pulls flute out of box.*
*Assrmbles flute.*
*Stares at flute for 10 minutes pushing random keys and playing random tunes.*
"Maaan, this is the coolest thing I own."
LMAO. That was literally me when I first got mine X3
Same
that's me
Same here
Same here, with a former gf’s flute. 4 years later I’m still playing, taking lessons and searching bands or ensembles to join
I'm 62, I haven't touched my Yamaha flute for years. I was so discouraged Through Jr. and Senior High school because I had so much tension and just could not play fast. My tone was excellent but no speed at all. Now I know why. My hands are exactly like yours!!!! Now I may dig my flute out and try the cork and the ports. Maybe I can regain my love for the instrument.
Thank you!!!
You can try indian bamboo flute bansuri
Hi, late reply here.
You could also think about not having tension in your hand and just checking every few minutes/whenever you can the tension in your hand. I think that, in this video, there is a lot of psychology: she probably could have good grip on her flute without the cork and hand holder if she believe she could without them.
Also, there is no rational way in which having your index finger pulled back more will elongate a back muscle. Tendons for the fingers and the wrists go through the forearm and stop at the elbow.
This means that there was artificial tension created by a phsychological factor. Here, it might be a case study of "I don't think I can do it without this accessory", so buying it will fix the problem. But it is psychological in nature, so there are other ways to fix the problem.
I really don't want to put myself above these problems as they affect me frequently, and they are almost innate things so they are incredibly hard to fend off.
Having a clear image of your sound is a lot more important than having an instrument "corresponding" to your sound in my opinion, and it also applies to your technique. Imagine your hands and how they are placed on the instrument, but in your head. Inspect them. Where is the tension? What doesn't "feel" right (not what you semantically think/have been told isn't)? Just bringing these into consciousness will most likely fix at least a few things.
If you have a few hours and 20$, I would highly recommend you read Timothy Gallwey's "The Inner Game of Tennis". It is beyond incredibly helpful, and may save you a lot of trouble and make you progress faster.
I think you should. Don't give up on your love for the flute. I'm 48 and started playing December 2019 Christmas day. I'm a long time musician having played guitar for over 36 years.
Ravi V thank you Ravi. I have played the Shakuhachi Japanese flute. John Neptune Kizune gave me a beginner lesson in Japan many years ago. Is a beautiful instrument as is the Indian flute.
Luis Donado thank you Luis, I looked at my flute in the case just yesterday but alas life has changed dramatically. Just no time at all now. Health and peace to you.
Gold suits you really well! That depth and warmth to your sound was wow
+Hesphaestus Thank you! I love my baby 😊
My mind was so SHOOK with the difference of the silver and gold flute
I love the tone of your rose gold flute! I honestly refuse to pick up a gold flute at festivals or flute events, because I already love how gold sounds when other people play it. I know I'll want one, and I just can't afford it 😕. The scary thing is, if I really wanted it, I'd kill myself with overtime to make it happen. I play an Altus and I love it. I don't want anything to destroy my love for my flute or I'll destroy myself trying to get a gold one! But your flute is basically my dream flute .... just with in line!
I have LONG AF FINGERS. Well before I got my customized flute, I would have a hard time playing fast and my fingers would hurt. Then I went to a local flute event and a flute maker asked to see my hands. She looked at them and brought me a flute, it was silver. It's was heavenly to say the least. She told me that the flute she gave me had rise keys. Soon I bought a new flute with the customization and it's treating me well.
It definitely sounds like the gold really supports your tone! For me I feel like I have a naturally bright tone on flute so when I played on a gold flute I felt like it was slightly dampening my tone and projection which I hated therefore I only look to silver flutes and I found silver really works for my sound.
+Gamer of the Winds That's great! That's exactly what I mean when I say that no one type of flute fits everyone. I'm so glad you found the one for you!
Gamer of the Winds Same here! When I was in high school, I fantasized about playing on a gold flute but it wasn't until three years ago that I realized that I really like the combination of a silver body with a gold headjoint. It's all a matter of preference. For my sound, I actually prefer silver over gold even though in the future, I might consider getting a gold headjoint
I feel like I must have been holding my flute wrong my entire life since my hand looks exactly like in the video without the thumb port thing. =A=
Kiwi Flute I'M SUBSCRIBED TO YOUR CHANNEL YOU'RE SO GOOD
Somebody Else WAHHH HELLO! Thanks for your support lol
Kiwi Flute lolol you're welcome... I really love your stuff!
Kiwi Flute HEWWOOOOOOOOOOOO
Kiwi Flute I’ve just discovered that too!
im a trumpet player and your music scares me
And y'all be blaring in the back wbu
sir waffle all of y'all notes look like b flat concerts and A notes to us flute players.
It is known that my fellow flutist are dangerous and deadly.
Us flutists are pretty scary
Im a flutest and your lack of anything under a 8th note scares me
Mysterious scales for flute:
Byzantine #4 ( C, Db, E, F#, G, Ab, B, C )
Phrygian Dominant #4: ( C, Db, E, F#, G, Ab, Bb, C )
+Jari Satta Woooooooo!
Jari Satta b flat
Jari Satta and b natural
+Hufflepuff Life Nah,not really.
3:23 sounds so beautiful
Aw, thanks!
chimin yang what are you talking about the whole thing is beautiful
Agree. Also this piccolo sounds awesome-
ua-cam.com/video/ljL1iRewzsU/v-deo.html
You should do a "Flute collection video" where you show and explain all your flutes, piccolos, and supplies☺
I think you have to reach a certain level in musical discernment to appreciate the differences in sound you described between the gold and silver flute. I probably comes with having heard a lot of flute music and training your ear. The beginner, like myself, is going to find it hard to pick up on and appreciate the differences. I purchased a thumb port based on your recommendation and it has been a big help in relieving stress in my right hand.
pmh1nic the material makes no difference it's how it's made
El Taco Mexican How it's made is important but the material does change the quality of the sound.
pmh1nic so what would the difference between gold, silver, and wood flutes be
pmh1nic not true I noticed the difference really easily and I've only been playing flute for a month
El Taco Mexican different materials resonate at different frequencies.
The gold sound is so rich and lovely. Thanks for the demonstration!
Exactly! As I mentioned in a previous post, flutes have already been altered from a flute in the 60s and a flute in the 90s. So about every 30 years a new flute is manufactured.
When you said that you had short thumbs I looked at my hands and realized I had the same issue!!! For a long time I would get a lot of pain in my right thumb and my teacher was considered about conditions surrounding that. So she had me order a Bo pep thumb guide. I should have listened to the reviews because while it helps me it is just a hunk of plastic that slides around on my flute. Also when you mentioned that you had the problem of your fingers going to the side when you play I have that same issue. I will be definitely ordering the thumbport because I believe it will help me a lot as a flutist and also no scratch up my flute as much as my Bo Pep does (still angry about it 😐) Thank you so much for your video this was really informational!!!
I've just bought myself a Fingerport and Thumbport after watching your video! Great advice for a fellow small-handed flautist! I'm already amazed at the difference its made, I've suffered a lot from pains and spasms in my arm if I play for a long time! I'm looking forward to seeing the long term benefits!! :) Thank you!! :)
Thanks! Your content is fantastic, especially for giving advice to other small handed flutists :)
Wow, thank you so much!!! I'm really happy to share so everyone can play the flute comfortably!
Thanks :) Would you offer an online lesson to discuss some issues I'm having with hand size etc ?
Being an old timer, I have to giggle in amazement at the current technological advancements. I learned how on an Armstrong offset-g, plateau-keyed silver plate instrument, then as soon as I could afford it, bought a used 1965 solid silver Haynes with C foot, in-line open keys, and soldered tone holes. Best flute I ever played in my life, and none of the extra frillies of today, lol! But if I start testing out gold, and B foots, and high E facilitators and C# trill keys, I might go insane with envy! You're right...as times change, instruments change too. Love your videos!!😃
I instantly heard the difference once you started playing the gold flute. Such bliss!
I love the amazing difference between the silver and gold! And the way you played the Lord Of The Rings Theme was gorgeous!
I want to customize my clarinet but so much money 😵 it'll be worth it in the future though. So in a few years, probably. I'm saving up money for a tenor sax
I'm a clarinet player too! I'm saving up money to a buy a flute. Tenor sax sounds so awesome I wish I could play it.
same, i’ve been playing alto, bari, soprano, and tenor recently. if you know alto you can learn tenor very easy! it’s been two months, and i’ve gotten really good to tenor!
If you know clarinet, you know the basis for almost every woodwind (except probably the reeds - I have no idea though - never tried them!)
It’s amazing how many clarinetists are encouraged to play tenor! Obviously not only is it the same key but 80% the same fingerings... also. If you have the embouchure for clarinet you can DEFINITELY play the tenor.... just loosen. EVERYTHING Lol.
I played the clarinet through high school and continued on with the tenor... (that’s 10 years on clarinet... haven’t played for almost 20... been playing tenor for 22 years). Now I’m trying to get back to the clarinet and it’s RIDICULOUS how weak my embouchure and lungs have gotten. But dang it, I’ll get there!
I know this was from a year ago but i hope you got your tenor sax my freinds plays one and the instrument is amazimg
Ik this reply is late, but Tenor is amazing. I recently asked my teacher if I could play tenor for jazz [switching from flute] and playing it is very fun. I also really want to play alto flute and clarinet... tenor be noicenoice
Thank you so much for doing these videos. I never had a private lesson teacher until college and even then she never really suggested any ways I could get my flute to work for me not the other way around. I have small hands too, and your suggestions and explanations of your experiences have been invaluable to my flute search and improvement on my flute! Thank you!!!!!
I want to start learning the flute in January when I passed for C exam on clarinet so your vids really help me out here!
This video is very helpful. I was feeling tension in my right hand and pinky and I ordered a thumb port. I tried my teacher's thumb port and I could reach the pinky keys so easily. Thanks for mentioning that!
Love the Shire music....Quite happy to hear it !
I just got a thumbport, you were my inspiration for getting it. I have smallish hands, but also have the same issue with my thumb not reaching the first knuckle of my index finger. I've only played with it once since I got it, but I can feel it helping.
Currently looking at wood bass clarinets!! Wood instruments have such a beautiful rich, full, sound and I love the way they work with me!!
Music can be quite expensive...
Especially if you play a double reed instrument
Annnnd that’s why singing is the best... it’s free
Lisa Matsugu yeah! but their sound is worth it!
It is..!
It is! But sometimes worth it!
Omg! I used to play flute but gave it up after about 7 years never liking the high register. Anyway, was about to shut you off when at 7:30 you showed us the cork on the left hand first finger and you said Paul Horn had that too, wow. But I actually had a reaction after a few years on that finger and it would swell up to twice the size and was related to the tendons in the palm being too tight (or something like that doctors said) and I had to get a four hour operation on that finger. Took about a year to be normal again.
I play trumpet now, and like it better for the fatter sound. When I first learned about flutes, had I known about alto flute maybe that would have been better. Anyway, that's my story. ciao.
It is great to find an instrument that feels right. I am so happy you are happy with your flute.
A little story- I was at the Florida Flute Convention and I went up to the Brannen flute "booth" and the sales associate there had lipstick on her tooth and I kept talking to her wondering if I should tell her. I ended up not telling her, because that would have been awkward. Let me explain why- I'm a 13 year old girl and the sales associate was some very well accomplished flute player. Well..... That would have been awkward. Love your channel!❤️
That's made me laugh
Scratch your tooth. A subtle way to let them know.
Personally, I adore the tone of wood flutes, as they fit my style best. Silver is very bright and projects, but as a bassoonist, my playing style is best suited by a mellow sound with lots of overtones. I prefer to blend and be a lot more submissive in playing. Not so much a bad way, but simply more blended. It makes solos that much more special, and while I may not sound in a manner that stands out, when I play with small groups or unaccompanied.
Unfortunately I don't own my own wood flute, but the chances I've gotten to play then have been magical
9:29 When trilling between B and C#, you don’t have to lift both the B key and the C key, you only have to lift the C key because usually the B key has no affect On the notes unless the the C key is down (with the exception of middle D and Eb and upper register notes). It’s kind of the same when trilling between Bb and C, you don’t have use the Bb key, all you have to do is lift your thumb key, your right index finger being down on the F key has no affect when playing C.
I love gold flutes! I want to buy one for my mom one day as a gift. She used to play flute in high school, all she has is her ancient student flute. I would so love to surprise her with a beautiful rose or yellow gold flute. They are so beautiful and smooth and clear in sound, so warm. Its a whole other world when playing on a gold flute
I got a fingerport after watching your video about it! My left hand was getting the weirdest pains when I played high notes (I was gripping on for dear life, too, which didn't help), and ever since I've barely gotten any pains. So thank goodness for your video!
I bought a flute several years ago without a B foot because I said to my foolish 14 year old self, "A flute's not supposed to play B! It's not like I'll ever need it! Maybe once or twice in my life!" Oh, little Jemima. You fool. I've just now bought a professional silver b-foot, c-sharp-trill, gizmo Altus with a fancy head joint. It has killed my bank account, but oh am I happy!!!
i have real long fingers, and as soon as i see the cork cemented on the C key, i knew i needed to do that, as soon as i put it on, i feel so much more comftble, you said not to copy you, but this i knew i needed, thank you ever so much for the idea.
The Brannen is so relaxed and inviting
Omg when you said you had backpain from playing and having tension on your left index, my life made so much more sense! I am so tense playing the flute that my hands cramp and my back hurts so bad after an hour of practice! Gonna try this hack with my student flute!
Fabulous! Your physiologic analysis info is invaluable! THANKS
I love how you customized your flute!
Great video, thanks for telling us about all of the adjustments on your flutes.
I have the same short finger problem too!!! I am so glad I have found your channel!
Ty you finally explained why I had so many issues playing when I was in high school. I gave it up, but will be getting some of those customizations and try returning to playing. Ty
The Brannen does sound amazing.
Ooh I've never heard of that add on. I have small hands so that would really help. I have the problem with my pinky too.
I just purchased a thumbport a few months ago and it has changed my life. I put so much pressure on my right thumb that it would hurt and my pinky would flatten when using it. My hands are not small by any means, but I never realized most peoples thumbs go to the first joint of the index finger. Mine most definitely do not, which is interesting. I might do some research on the cork for the left index finger.
Thank you SO much for making this video. I played flute for years, but have hands almost identical to yours: the same thumb size, everything. (In fact, now in my 30's, I've yet to meet a grown adult who has hands smaller than mine.) This was a huge problem for me, and I was never able to once play low B since I also had open keys. I am just getting another flute after 20 years away and I am so excited to try out some of these extensions.
Joanna, I love the way you play, much love! You should play more often in your channel♥️
I played on my flute teacher’s brand new Yamaha flute and it was so effortless to play and I was like praising it
I love my Yamaha. I have a Julius Baker signature model and i don't see myself playing anything else, ever. Funny enough. I'd rather play a Yamaha piano over Steinway, Any day. So much easier to play for those of us with really short fingers.
Shelly W I actually bought a Yamaha flute a few months after I commented that and I must agree with you:it is a lot easier for my short fingers to play. It’s also is a much higher quality flute than my previous Gemeinhardt. I love it.
Love your articulation that song you played was so freaking beautiful I love your Brennan flute it's gorgeous💗😊
I’m going to be learning flute over the summer and your videos are so helpful and fun :) 10/10 would recommend
I almost shit at 6:48 cause my flute teacher is called Paul Huang hahahahaha
I own a silver flute, but the only gold flute that I played was not all gold but the lip plate with gold.
Hey Joanna! This video was very helpful! I've been thinking into getting a fingerport and after hearing this video, I analyzed the size of my hands and how they're shaped when holding the flute. I even looked up a hand diagram of proportions and I realized a lave a long palm with short fingers 😂 I know feel like a fingerport would help. Also, I have a video suggestion. I've been playing the flute for about three and a half years and in the books I've studied in band, we've practiced lots of technique exercises as you mentioned in your 'I hated practicing technique' video. In that video, you also mentioned natural, harmonic, and melodic "forms" of music. I don't know if I am just too inexperienced so far or if those "forms" are not taught. If/when I continue music I'll probably learn more about those forms, but I would love a video about it and to hear what you have to say on them. :)
WOW our experiences could not be more different.
The first time I picked up a gold flute was at KMEA All-State music festival, and it was a Muramatsu. Then an Altus. Then a Miyazawa... and I knew I hated gold! It's really warm and dark and covered, but it was so stuffy. I never found gold to ever be responsive.
I actually prefer the brighter tone of silver with a touch of platinum on the lip, and I definitely prefer the feel. Also, heavy wall headjoint can give some of that darkness without any response issues.
I also just realized my thumb is short... My thumb comes nowhere near my first knuckle... I had to quit flute. I moved to oboe because I was getting tendonitis in my right hand.
Oh, wow. Realization.
Also, it became very clear why our preferences are different: I prefer to play first flute, especially in orchestra, so I need the zing.
Thank you for this! I have extremely short thumbs (and fingers) as well. I will be ordering finger and thumbports.
+TraciLynne Awesome! I hope they work well for you!
I have a Yamaha 362h intermediate flute I just got it this week and it is amazing
Thank you SO much for showing the bopep and thumb extension! I have the little Asian hands (thanks mom!) and have always had major hand cramps after long practices. I found piccolo during marching season to be a relief because there weren’t any finger strains going on. Going to look into buying these two mods and get back to my Gemeinhardt silver headed open holed extended B foot flute ❤️❤️❤️
Man, you inspired me to pick up my trumpet... haven't played it in two months... been depressed. Thanks for making great vids :) it's nice to see that you thought hard about your flute and just didn't buy it for looks. It's nice that you make others think and to not just follow the famous people... i know everything is differ for everyone but what flute would you recomend for a noob flute player but that has been playing music and flute ever so often? Man, I wish you did more vids where you play more like cover or something. I know there are many that do this type of stuff but you're sound is awesome. In band or orchestra or any ensemble do you ever find yourself switching flutes to acomódate easier? Like blend or lead easier? Great vids like always!!
I think i might play with some of those things you use... not because I have small hands but I think I have too big hands ... hm.... haha!
Oh my flute I have customized it with a hand crutch, like the solexa fingerport, but it's a Bo-Pep hand rest with a bassoon crutch bracket attached to it, and my onyx bassoon handrest. It's pretty large, but it means I don't have to the cork installed on my C key.
I have a split F# on my picc, and I am hoping for a Brossa F# someday.
Same goes for the C# trill.
I have a silver headjoint as well as a wood covered nickel-silver headjoint with an ONYX lip plate and blow-edge.
As for my piccolo, I've got an antique ivory headjoint (a pain to travel with; I have to get sneaky), to go with my ebonite one, I got cork pads installed, and on my marching piccolo I have chrome pads installed; they definitely help projection.
Daaaaaanm now I want a new flute even though I suck!
OMG. I also really enjoy being second flutist. But unfortunately the first flute quit so... ._.
Funny I should watch this just as I'm learning the same LOTR tune you played here. I'm a newbie, I've only played for 5 weeks but I'm very allergic to my student flute. My flute teacher reckons I've managed to learn in a month what most people learn in 6 months, and he was very happy to hear I'm getting ready to get step-up flute, as he feels it'll help me progress even faster. The flute I'm looking at has a rose gold lip plate. It won't sound as beautiful as your solid rose gold flute, but I'm confident it will have some of the mellow sound. Can't wait for my next paycheck to arrive so I can get my new flute!
I bought a thumb port a few weeks ago for my flute and it has made a huge difference, but I didn't even think about the fact that I have a short thumb! I've thought about looking into a fingerport for my left hand to see if that helps my baby hands find a more comfortable position. I loved this video!
+Sarah DelBene Awesome! The fingerport will probably help you out a lot too! Huge saviours of tiny handed people like us!
JustAnotherFlutist Definitely! My philosophy is to work smarter not harder!
Hello! Just sharing Joanna's end question. I own a Sankyo Silver flute with the specs of B foot, split E mech with offset G, C# trill key and heavy wall(.42mm wall)! And I absolutely love it. :)
Oh my god. Why haven't I heard of a c# trill key 5 years ago when I got my new flute. It bleos my mind how big of a difference you can hear even in the video. I cannot imagine what it sounds like in real life. I fell like this must be heaven on earth.
Very interesting, especially for a very beginner with the flute, like me! Thank you very much!
i got goosebumps and chills from the Brannen
Wow, so beautiful, it really did make a better sound
Your music choice for demonstrating gold vs silver made this nerd smile ;)
Omg. Ok, I think I'm in love with gold flutes now. Tho, I think it'll be a very long time before I could get one, so I'll have I stick with a silver. But the sound was so beautiful and warm!
I have really small hands too, and I think I may invest in a finger port and thumb port.
What was song you played in 2:26
I would love to start learning how to do that
I tried both the thumbport and the finger port and for me it's more comfortable to play without them because I have long fingers. I chose offset g because it's more comfortable for my hands and when I've tried inline I always have to strain my ring finger. I did not try a gold flute until I was 20 ( I outgrew my intermediate flute pretty quickly) and that was because my first teacher from my undergrad played on a 14k rose gold Jack Moore flute with silver keys and my last teacher, she would have me play on her flute ( She had a silver Powell body with a 14k yellow gold Nagahara headjoint)for some things because she would frustrated with the mechanism on my old flute ( I currently play on an Altus but at that time I was still playing on my Gemeinhardt.) I got that Gemeinhardt in 2010 which was the summer before my senior year of high school which was also before they overhauled the whole Gemeinhardt line in 2012. I dreamed of having a gold flute in high school but now I actually like the combination of gold and silver. In the future, I might consider getting a gold headjoint.😃❤️🎼🎹
+Kiara Eijo That is awesome! I really love that companies have come out with gold/silver alloys, since that offers more color/warmth/depth varieties. So glad you found the flute for you! 😊
I never knew that foot joints were so varied. I think my student flute (cause I was poor and never went on past it) actually came with a b foot but many of the other flutes in my school band had just a c foot. Also, my thumb is like yours, so I might have to get me a thumb port to give it a try.
I have hands just like yours! I will have to try a thumb port to see if it helps out with my lower hand. I never knew this was the purpose for it.
love this vid, love the comparison. i think you chose a perfect tune to show the difference. i hear the warm tones you are talking about. i also hear crisper end of notes. the gold seems to have superior resonance that stops the moment air passage stops with no residual reverberation.
You made both flutes to sound amazing
Omg thanks for the finger port suggestion because my hands are exactly like Exactly like yours even the thumb thing
oh. my. god. I never thought that i'd find someone with the same hand position problems as me!!!! my hands are literally the exact same size as yours (my thumbs are so short) and fast playing is my biggest downfall as a flute player because my fingers get so tired and so strained. thank you SO much for telling me about the finger/thumb ports!! i'm excited to order these items and try them out!
I literally have the same exact back pain from the 1st left hands finger im gonna do that cork thing u did
super interesting. I suggest we talk once about how organ flute stops are built mouthwise, I guess heads would be way more variable on flutes as well
I am thinking the fingerport for sure would help me out a lot. One of the reasons I've played less after college is because there is so much tension in my left pointer finger to the point that I get an indentation in my finger from playing. Will need to assess my right hand position to see if the thumbport would be needed. I'm currently saving up for an offset G flute as I know 100% I need that. I definitely struggle to reach the G key with ring finger. Thank you for making this video!
The stuffed animals in the background are cute!
Omg when you mentioned piccolo music being written with low Cs and Bs I wanted to cry because I've come in contact with that problem an unbelievable amount of times... Wow... I feel so much better knowing that I wasn't going crazy.
I love your description of the yellow gold flute,” umm liquid gold in pitch sound form.” 😂😂
Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for this input. That's was excactly what I was looking for - how to improve sound and handling. Good job. And I like your channel. You are funny. Keep up that good work :)
Interesting... I play an older Haynes, open hole, in line G, low B. My hands are fairly large, so it's fine for me. But I've always found the gizmo key a bit of a stretch, and not really necessary (my Haynes doesn't have it). For me, it's really pretty easy to push down only the B key (if C/C# close a little too, it doesn't hurt anything).
A long video, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
I LITERALLY NEED TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF BRANNEN THIS IS!!!JOHANNA PLEASE HAVE MERCY
wow what a nice flute the gold Brenan is. It sounds as nice as it looks
I believe the Woodwind Anthology has an article that demonstrates in earlier centuries the piccolo had had its range extended downward as low as Bb by a few manufacturers. Orchestration books such as by Forsyth present many instruments that have enjoyed a period of inclusion and then became either obsolescent or obsolete.
Maestro Jean Pierre Rampal had been quoted regarding "extra" keys. "It is not to make the insrument easier. It is to practice."
I enjoyed your heart-felt thoughtful presentation in this video. It gave me, basically a single reed player, some isight on how to stablize my hands when they tire in a long practice session.
While I don't know who the Haynes family apprenticed, they began a dynasty: W S Haynes begat Verne Q Powell begat the Brannen Brothers, assistedby Albert Cooper. That's quite a lineage.
Best wishes.
Mateki, by the distance of Eons, God bless.
I never knew I wanted to play a gold flute till now. I feel like I know exactly how to set it up and get playing since my hands are just like yours! - Only I play the violin, not the flute ;)
There are Braun piccs that can go to low c.
dainerflute woah
I love the song you first played. The shire is my favorite song from the Hobbit
Hi, thanks for all your great videos! What do you think of the Tornado tone booster? Dropped one in my head joint few years ago, Seems to help third octave notes especially.
I went to a flute festival yesterday and got a Trever James cantible
Your youthful enthusiasm warmed my old heart. Your hands are just fine, by the way. They are well proportioned and very nice. I got a callus on the side of my left first finger, sort of a biological "rest"!
I noticed some notes on your rose gold Brannen Brothers flute had greater resonance, that can just happen, but I wondered if all the ergonomic aids might be damping? Remember those the old left-hand knob things on old flutes, forgot what they're called, a rest? People took them all off because somebody said that they damped the tone. Does it sound better naked, done up, or does it even matter?
Did you ever get an ulcer below your lower lip? I did, from the tarnish, perhaps. Oh well, keep up the good work!