Re: Wood flutes

[Mike Cohen <mrquin1...>]

Thanks for the info. Sorry for emailing this question to everyone. I promise
to be more careful next time:> I¹d blame my computer,  but that would be
like blaming the reed :>
> 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: ³FleytMuzik² and ³Family Portrait²
> Classical: "Sounds of America"
> http://www.fluteworld.com or http://www.cdbaby.com



> 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: ³FleytMuzik² and ³Family Portrait²
> Classical: "Sounds of America"
> http://www.fluteworld.com or http://www.cdbaby.com