Show Us Your Instruments!

SATCHMO · 09-09-2010, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

I'm always happy to share pics of my instruments! I forgot to add that I also own an alto flute and a bass flute, both of which are significantly bigger than the C flute, obviously! I really want a piccolo (they're not terribly expensive), and I would LOVE to own a contra-bass flute but sadly the price tag on a good quality one can range from $3,000 to $18,000 - $21,000! I can buy a brand new car for that price! I actually saw one contra-bass flute in a store here (a very ritzy music shop) priced at $50,000. But it was an absolutely beautiful instrument!

About the horn: I was just taking a wild guess based on what I know about brass instruments

I had a chance to talk to the flutist for the David Grisman Quintet (can't remember his name for the life of me) who also plays the bass flute, quite amazingly, and learned that it requires a great degree of diaphragm control to play correctly. I can't imagine what a challenge a contra-bass flute must be to play.

Burning Down · 09-09-2010, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SATCHMO

I had a chance to talk to the flutist for the David Grisman Quintet (can't remember his name for the life of me) who also plays the bass flute, quite amazingly, and learned that it requires a great degree of diaphragm control to play correctly. I can't imagine what a challenge a contra-bass flute must be to play.

Is his name Matt Eakle? That's cool that you got a chance to talk to him.

All flutes require a lot of diaphragm control and lung capacity, especially the bass flutes. There are many exercises that can be practiced to improve lung function for flute players, and also to strengthen the muscles around the mouth. Good embouchure control is essential in order to get a clean tone. The mouthpiece on bass and contra-bass flutes are larger so it takes some practice. After having played the bass flute for a year in a flute ensemble, I noticed that I can take bigger breaths and not take so many catch breaths in the middle of phrases, on a regular flute. It helps that I do not smoke either.

LoathsomePete · 09-09-2010, 10:35 AM

My Squier Strat is missing from the picture (I think it's in my Uncle's garage up in Canada, along with my Fender G-Dec amp), but that's my current set up. Quite liberal from what it was about 5 years ago when it seemed like I was trying to collect every BOSS pedal known to man.

09-09-2010, 10:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	My Squier Strat is missing from the picture (I think it's in my Uncle's garage up in Canada, along with my Fender G-Dec amp), but that's my current set up. Quite liberal from what it was about 5 years ago when it seemed like I was trying to collect every BOSS pedal known to man. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too