I have an F# Stellar flute (basic package type). I find that any sharp burst of air will cause it to jump an octave. I know that jump can be done on purpose, but with this flute it seems way to easy to me (note this is the only one I've ever played, so this is ignorance speaking). I cannot prevent it from happening at the lowest note no matter how soft I blow. On the next to the lowest I can successfully give a quick burst if I 'm blowing very softly, but the sound is way too quiet. I've tried moving the fetish around in relation to the hole and blowing in at different angles to no avail.

I really like how giving each note its own burst of air sounds and would like to be able to use the full scale. Is this "normal" or is there anything else I can do or try?

Thanks,
Shevie

Shevie:
I am not a flute maker but my guess is this is a design or mfg flaw. You have made reasonable attempts to play the flute with no avail. I personally would not enjoy a flute with this feature. I suggest you contact the maker and see if it can be replaced or repaired. You might have an expeirenced player try it to make sure it is not just you but sure does not sound as though it is. I have found the maker of that flute to be more than accomdating in addressing customer concerns. If you purchased it from the maker I would not hesitate to have him send you a replacement.

Good call, Noisy Bear. If block placement and breath control are not solving the problem, then a physical alteration to the flute is necessary. However, be prepared for the tuning or voicing of the flute to change a bit with modification.

Sometimes this can be corrected with block placement. Try moving the block back from the edge of the sound hole, about 3/32 of an inch, or so. If that doesn't work, then you need to contact the maker.

Thanks for the info, Bear, Geoffrey, and Rick. I have tried moving the block back and forth and changing the angle slightly. There is an optimum position about 1/16 inch from the hole and about a 1 degree skew from parallel with the flute axis, but that only helps slightly by confining the breaking to the lower two notes. I've considered contacting Stellar Flutes, but have hesitated due to the possiblity it might be me. Should have gone with my feeling and called them long ago.

Thanks again, all. This forum is fantastic.

Shevie

Back in June I was in Mt. Shasta, CA and had the opportunity to play a few flutes from High Spirits and others in a shop there. All could be made to break, but they required an intentionally strong burst to do so. All the holes were easily reached and covered. One flute in particular felt like I'd been playing it forever. It was, of course, the most expensive and being in a cash flow bind at the time I had to pass.

That proved to me, beyond any doubt, that it wasn't me causing the breaking. When I got home, I packed up my flute, case, book, & CD and sent it back with a letter. They emailed me saying the flute had a "jumping fundamental" and could be easily repaired, but they honored my request for a refund. This is a year after I bought it, so I am truly impressed with them on that matter.

When I called the Mt. Shasta store, the flute I'd connected with had been sold. {sigh}

The other day I received another F# flute, case, CD & book from the people I bought my first flute from. It's being returned tomorrow. This thing is horrid. Holes are spaced unevenly weird and cause my fingers to almost cramp just reaching them. Plus it breaks as easily as the first one and the block is simply ugly. I have no idea why they sent it to me, but the refund is still in place.

One thing I noticed - the two flutes I received in the mail were very light, thin, and felt quite fragile. The flutes in Mt. Shasta were heavier (not heavy), and felt sturdier.

Now I must find another flute, but I'm real leery of another internet purchase.

Shevie

Shevie,

Don't be leery about the Internet. Be leery of who you are buying from.

For me, right now the Internet is all I have. But there is great advice about makers on this forum and you can get a good flute this way.

Good luck!

Shevie, You have experienced one of the more common problems with the NAF.......octave jumps that are too sensitive. This is a very common problem indeed, and while there are some player adjustments that can be employed to control some flutes, others cannot be controlled at all.

If you would like to email me privately, and explain what you have had problems with, and what you haven't had problems with, in terms of makers, I would be happy to offer some suggestions for a maker you might find to your liking.

Shevie,

If High Spirits flutes are what you have connected with at the store, I'd try thier website. (www.highspirits.com). My first 3 flutes were from them and regardless of what some consider the drawbacks of the brand, they are definately consistent and fairly priced and make a good choice for a starter flute. Also I really enjoyed Odell's teaching method on his instructional cd's and DVD's.

Good luck and enjoy the journey.

My first flute was from High Spirits and later I bought two more from them. I am very pleased with them, without saying anything about other makers (I lack that experience). The first one I did try at the shop, the others I bought from Sweden. I called Mr Borg two times and discussed what I would need. Got very good advice, he took time for me, as I said, I am pleased with what I got.
Gerard

My own first flute was a High Spirits A minor and I loved it. Great flute and I think it cost about $60.
There are a few makers who make what are widely considered "starter flutes" and that have a great price to quality ratio, and High Spirits are one of them.

As far as being for beginners, that may be generally true, but I've heard quite a few professional recordings where High Spirits flutes were used and they sounded pretty darn good!

Besides, I really liked Odells mission statement at the time: He wanted to get a decent, playable flute into the hands of anyone who wants one, even if they don't have a lot of money. I can't count how many customers have told me that they started on a High Spirits flute.

My impression was that after being able to try several flutes, there was enough difference, that confidence in getting a good flute without a selection, had waned. So, my take was that the maker mattered less than the ability to choose.

However, if the question was "how reliable are High Spirits flutes?", the answer is.....very reliable. While there will some variation from flute to flute, from any maker, High Spirits flutes are very reliable, they play very well, and often play the full scale (something other makers seldom accomplish.)

They are, however simple in design, and so, get less credit than they deserve, from some people.

I would agree, High Spirits flutes are very consistent. I still have my very first NAF, a High Spirits in F. I gave away my High Spirits G, the A I have I'm going to gift, and the high D is my bicycling flute that I keep in my CamelBack. They are excellent beginning flutes in my opinion. However, I find that they are generally a bit on the breathy side. As soon as I discovered flute circles and then through the monthly meetings, came to know other flute makers, I began buying what I considered to be better flutes. Or at least flutes that pleased my ear more.

Just my humble opinions.

One thing I noticed - the two flutes I received in the mail were very light, thin, and felt quite fragile. The flutes in Mt. Shasta were heavier (not heavy), and felt sturdier.

Now I must find another flute, but I'm real leery of another internet purchase.

Shevie
[/quote]

Shevie,

I recently ordered a High Spirits flute in F# that had similar issues which I had to return. My other B flute from them works great.

Check my review of John Stillwell's Ancient Territories Flutes under the the REVIEWS section of our forum. Depending on how much you want to spend, his Backpacker and Craftsman models are both under $200 and fantastic playing flutes for the money. They are well-made and look great. His Backpacker model flutes are really sturdy and may fit your needs perfectly. I also have a link there as well to his great web site.

Check him out!
Richard.

I owned a High Spirits A and enjoyed it. I recently co-sponsored a "flute library" for our local flute circle. Members donate flutes they "outgrow" so that when we receive new members that don't know what they would like or expect in a flute or can't afford one, we can "lend" them one to start them on their journey. That is where this flute is. I also have a couple of Butch Hall flutes that will be making their way into the library soon. I had the pleasure of meeting Odell at Zion. Nice guy! As with many makers I have met, he makes different levels of flutes. One of my friends just got one of his new laminated big bores. I haven't playe it, but my buddy really enjoys it!

My first flute was a High Spirits Golden Eagle (which is F#), and it's still my favorite.

It does have a breathy, windy tone to it, but I like that characteristic. It borders on the tone that I hear in Kevin Locke's playing, which I love.

I also have to be careful with overblowing, as it's pretty easy to accidentally go into the second register.

Two things that I really like about Odells flutes though, are the blown end and the hole size and spacing. I've held and/or played High Spirits flutes as large as a B, and they all had manageable fingering for my medium-sized hands.

What I like about the blown end is the large size of the blowhole, and the blunt end. I don't really care much for the nipple-style or tapered ends. I like the large blunt ends that you put against your mouth rather than those that go into your mouth.

I don't have nearly as many flutes as many of you, but I have no problem recommending High Spirits flutes. I think it's interesting that High Spirits almost seem commercial since you see them all over the place, but yet they're still quality flutes and come recommended by and for players of all levels.

Jason

I also OK Odell Borg's flutes. My first flute from him was Am and then I bought an F#m, Dm and high Dm. I was able to play the Am right away and it plays several songs before wetting out, much longer than any of my other flutes. I now have many other flutes from various makers. I fell in love with flute music at Mountain Man Rendezvous in 1989 when I bought my first flute but was never able to master playing it. I've had that flute and another in a different key until four years ago when I discovered Odell's flutes and have found such joy in playing the NAF. I discovered www.flutetree.com and sheet music to play on my flutes, then Mary Youngblood's CDs and songbooks which I've used extensively. I needed organized and structured music to really get started. Now I am able to play from the heart which was very difficult for me at first. The right flute in the begining is so very important so your journey will not be frustration as we both have experienced.
Carol

Well, Hi, Carol!

Welcome to flute heaven! We are glad you have decided to speak up!

Look forward to hearing more from you!

I've only been playing for about a year and have a High Spirt C & a Heller F. I love the High Spirit flute but have been hesitant to get a lower keyed one as I wasn't sure if the quality followed down. From the comments on here it appears it would be a safe bet.

As the closest flute circle is 160 miles from me it has been quite frustrating looking at the internet and trying to determine who are the quality flute makers. Already made one disasterous Ebay purchase that now serves as nice wall decor.

Would anyone like to recommend a lower key 6 hole flute maker ($200-$300 range) for a lady who likes vibrato and half-holing?

Thank you

Good choice would be Kuzin Bruce Belmore, who makes very nice playing flutes for a reasonable cost. He has recently expanded his line of mid range flutes into some lower keys, also.

http://kuzinbruceflutes.tripod.com/

Of course depending on the key, there are some other good choices within that price range, but not all makers make flutes that are easy to half hole, or bend notes.

If you are interested in mid range flutes, A-E, then there are any number of good flutes out there in that price range, and even lower.

The JT Navajo flutes on ebay, are excellent flutes, especially if you make sure they are his newer rectangular TSH (true sound hole), as opposed to the round one, which is a little breathier. You will be more limited in key, though.

Many of Butch Hall's flutes are actually below that price point, but he makes both standard and alternative tuned flutes, so you need to be aware of that, in ordering the right tuning / fingering, for what you like. Butch makes excellent flutes in the high B to low D range, but the selection isn't quite as extensive in standard tunings, with A, G, D being the ones I know he offers in standard tuning.

Again depending on key, Colyn Peterson and Randy Stenzel both make good flutes in that price range, so you might want to peruse the price list for some of the makers who have web sites, as that will help to guide you on prices, based on key and more commonly available woods.

High Spirits flutes are also good flutes in that range, depending on key.

Bob Child makes a good flute in that price range as well, but he is supposed to be moving sometime in the next month, so right now may not be the best time to get one from him, unless he has something on hand. His flutes do not "push" as much as some makers though, being more suited to those who play by note, than in a very "expressive" style. I have an E from him that is an exquisite flute, that was $245.

There are really lots of possibilities......but the key, wood, and decoration, will all play a role in the cost of any flute. To stay within a budget, try to stay with woods that are more plentiful and available, therefore lower in cost, and simple designs, that require less time in the making, and keys in the mid range, which are made in greater quantity, from A-E. Staying in that budget, shouldn't be a hard task, while acquiring some truly excellent flutes, in terms of playing quality.

Hi nokeys,

Welcome to the forum!

Glad you've joined us!

As to flute makers, there are many good ones, but my favorite is Geoffrey Ellis of Earth Tone flutes. Unfortunately, he isn't taking any orders until October 15th.

(I understand how you feel. The nearest flute circle to me is about two hours away.)

There will be many other folks here that will give you their opinions as well.

Again, welcome!

Thank you! Thank you for your input. I will check out these artisans- good reminder regarding the handedness as I am left -handed and have noticed some makers using curved hole placement.

Is it also true that harder woods tend to offer more resonance in the really low keys?