Irish Flutes
Background
The traditional Irish flute descends from the orchestral flute of mid 19th century Europe. These wooden ‘simple system’ flutes were the premiere modern flutes of their day, before the advent of the silver Boehm system flutes displaced them from orchestral use. Their rich tonality, open holes and ease of fingering suited folk musicians very well, however, and since the late 19th century wooden flutes have emerged as the dominant type of flute used in traditional Celtic folk music.
The basic flute is a six hole wooden pipe whose lowest note (blown with all of the holes closed) is the D above middle C. It will play a D scale (D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#) as the holes are sequentially uncovered. This flute can be played in the keys of D and G without resorting to difficult fingerings, and is therefore sufficient for a large variety of traditional melodies. The six holes correspond to the holes on a D tinwhistle. All of the whistle’s ornaments and fingerings can therefore be directly applied to the flute.
The melodic range can be broadened with the addition of metal keywork. Four keys (short F, G#, Bb and Eb) are needed to produce a fully chromatic instrument. Two more keys (long F and high C) improve access to accidentals, and two more keys (low C and C#) can be added to extend the range down to middle C.
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Playing
Turn the embouchure hole towards you so that the far edge (the sounding or blowing edge) is in line with the center-line of the finger holes. This brings the far edge of the hole closer to your lips so you can hit it with a focused stream of air. How far to ‘roll in’ depends on your taste, posture, and the instrument itself.
Without a relaxed playing position, tension can develop in the hands, wrists, and shoulders, possibly leading to injury. An ideal playing posture is one that allows you to do all of the following, without tension or strain:
- stand or sit up straight
- maintain a comfortable, relaxed, and yet secure hold on the instrument
- free your fingers from having to just hold the pipe, allowing them to play music!
- blow a directed, focused stream of air
- maximize the use of your breath
To hold the flute you balance it in your hands between several points of support. You (1) brace the flute with the saddle-like area just beyond the first knuckle of your left index finger. This is counterbalanced by (2) your lower lip and (3) right thumb. Rather than being gripped tightly in your hands, the flute is lightly balanced between these three points. In playing, you’ll find that it‘s easier to seal the holes of the flute with the fleshy undersides of your fingertips rather than the ends. Your elbows should be held loosely and comfortably at your sides. Your shoulders should be down and relaxed. Experiment until you find a comfortable position, and check yourself in a mirror.
Good tone comes only with good control of the breath, and a cleanly focused stream of air striking the far side of the mouth-hole. When you get your breath focused, you’ll find it much easier to play the flute. Try to keep your breathing relaxed, and remember to breathe deeply. All that then remains is to put your breath in the right place. Beginners may find it useful to blow long, slow notes to develop breath control and tone.
After playing, remove excess moisture by swabbing the pipe with a soft lint-free cloth on a slotted stick or cleaning rod. A recorder swab may also be used. Occasionally, swab the inside and wipe the outside with a cloth moistened with almond oil or clarinet bore oil. Be careful not to get any oil on the keypad areas if your flute has keys, as it may gum up the works. Cork grease may be used on the joints when dry. Prevent cracking by avoiding sudden changes in temperature, excessive dryness, and heat sources such as a radiator or sunlight.
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Discography
The following is a non-exhaustive list of wooden flute recordings, in alphabetical order by artist’s last name/CD name.
- Bro Dreger VIII — An excellent collection of Breton flute music from county Tregor.
- Paddy Carty — Traditional Irish Music
- Eamonn Cotter — Traditional Irish Music from County Clare
- Kevin Crawford — D flute album
- Frankie Kennedy — Ceol Aduaidh (w/ Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh), Altan
- Catherine McEvoy — Traditional Flute Music in the Sligo-Roscommon Style
- Matt Molloy — Matt Molloy (w/ Donal Lunny), Stony Steps
- Chris Norman — Portraits, The Beauty of the North, The Man With the Wooden Flute
- Seamus Tansey — Easter Snow
- Jean-Miche Veillon — Er Pasker, Pont Gwenn ha Pont Stang (w/ Yvon Riou), E Koad Nizan, Ar Seizh Avel (Kornog)
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Tutorial Books
There aren’t many tutorial materials available specifically for the wooden flute, but there are a few useful items out there.
- Timber, The Flute Tutor by Fintan Vallely (Mel Bay). One of the few books out specifically for playing a simple-system flute in Irish music. A cassette is also available.
- The Complete Irish Tinwhistle Tutor by L.E. McCullough (Oak Publications). This book is a comprehensive guide to all of the ornaments and fingerings for playing the whistle. All of it translates directly to the wooden flute. A cassette is also available.
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Tune Books
There are lots of good tune books out there. Here are a few recommendations:
- O Neill's 1001 Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Airs, and Marches (Mel Bay). This is a classic collection.
- O Neill's Music of Ireland by Miles Krassen (Oak Publications). Another good "O Neill's" collection.
- Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. A compilation of Irish Tunes played at Seattle Sessions, self published by Caoimhin Gaimh, sometimes known as Kevin Gow.
- Toniou Breizh-Izel, collected by Polig Monjarret (Editions B.A.S.). The "Green Book" is the definitive collection of Breton folk tunes.
- Traditional Slow Airs of Ireland by Tomas O Canainn (Ossian). More than 100 slow, beautiful airs ideal for the flute. A cassette is also available.
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