Re: Wood flutes

[AGREENBA <AGREENBA...>]

Hi Mike - and others wishing to know a little about wood flutes,   - -   in 
brief,

The flutes we see most often in klezmer bands of the past show the 
simple-system mostly. There are a couple that I've seen using the Boehm system 
- and 
even a not-too-into-the 20th century silver Boehm system. This prompted me to 
believe that I was certainly okay in playing these more advanced flutes at the 
beginning of my wood flute venture. The sound we hear Kosch and Chazin playing 
is that of the wood flute and probably that of a flute which has around 11-13 
keys on it, even though we don't really truly need down to low B in the keys 
we're playing in. But I will presume that they are probably playing simple 
system flutes rather than Boehm. Boehm designed his flute in the 1830's but not 
everyone embraced the new design and, even into the 20th century, flutists 
didn't 
necessarily adopt his design either, holding onto their simple-system. (We 
call it that, but it's much harder, of course :-)!!)   If you have any baroque 
flute or recorder experience, the simple system will relate to those 
instruments.

So, when choosing to make the switch to wood flutes you have to first decide 
whether you want to totally switch fingering systems. This is not at all easy 
- for me :-) So, if you wish to achieve a fairly close sound but not switch 
fingerings you can ease into wood flutes by either purchasing an old Boehm 
system flute, cylindrical, or a new prototype of this. The newer ones are far 
easier to play, less resistance, but thereby you've changed your purpose.... On 
my 
CD I offered about 5 different sounds, including the new wood flute. You can 
hear the differences. What I hadn't learned yet was the simple system flute and 
that's what you heard at KlezKamp. Much harder to play because of the 
fingerings and, at this point, low register is weak because I don't know 
whether it's 
in its best playing shape or it's the limitation of the flute itself. I know 
how to "honk" the low register and it's not quite there. It's the best (the 
Zimmerman, nice Jewish boy, we "historians" are thinking) I own and I'm still 
looking. I just purchased a Bohemian Kohlert and the low register is horrible. 
But the pads are old as well, so there's more hope. So, in answer to your 
question, and for those wishing to try wood flutes of the nature that was seen 
in 
the old photos, you have to decide whether you wish to learn the simple system 
fingerings as well as how to best achieve the desired tones of the various 
wood flutes. As Jeremy pointed out, his experience on the kval may help him in 
playing Tilinka. For me this is a totally different animal and I can't spread 
myself out any further, so this is also a consideration: do you want to go for 
something that fits better what you already do or learn an entirely different 
animal. 
The Budowitz website shows flutes from the Zimmerman catalogue and explains a 
little which ones (the more keys, more advanced flutes) would have been in 
use in klezmer bands. Just last week I was truly truly bummed that I was sniped 
out of an 11 or 12 key Zimmerman flute on ebay. The ivory head wasn't even 
cracked - yet - and the price went zooming.   I was willing to go very high and 
thought I had it...
Anyway, hope this all helps! 

Adrianne

______________________________________
Adrianne Greenbaum
http://www.klezmerflute.com & http://www.klezband.com
Associate Professor of Flute, Mount Holyoke College
Klezmer flutist: “FleytMuzik” and “Family Portrait”
Classical: "Sounds of America"
http://www.fluteworld.com or http://www.cdbaby.com