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Penny
(218 points)
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People were asking around for different flutes so i thought I'd look into the Eb flute. I know armstrong and emerson makes these flutes but i just wanted to know more about them.
1) Would it be easier for small chidren to start on these (the intonation is demanding just like the piccolo, but does it require less breath support?) or would it make it hard for them to switch to the c flute later?
2) Does anyone have any recordings of an e flat flute? I keep looking but all I can find is people playing the e flat scale or playing pieces in the key of e flat.
Any imformation on the E flat soprano flute is welcome.
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JOhnlovemusic
(294 points)
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You will probably find it in Flute Chorus recordings.
HEre is a little info from Armstrong.
E FLAT SOPRANO FLUTE
The E Flat Soprano flute is larger than the piccolo, but about four inches shorter than the Concert flute in C. This popular flute is rapidly gaining favor with flutists the world over because of its unique tone. This sound_ combines a blend of both the piccolo and Concert flute qualities. Many teachers are finding it invaluable in training young flutists, and are utilizing its ease of handling and easier blowing requirements. The Soprano flute sounds a minor third higher than the Concert flute and has, at times, been referred to as the Terzflöte, or Third flute. Many bands are incorporating this charming flute into their E Flat clarinet section.
-John (but I am not a flute player so wait for the flute pros to answer).
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Penny
(218 points)
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I thought the key difference would mess them up, but it couldn't be any different then an alto sax player switching to a soprano sax. And I guess you would have to teach the flute player how to transpose, so that when they switch to the C flute, the concert pitch wont throw them off as much.
If you think about it, people who start on flute or any other transposed instrument(a.e oboe, bassoon, low brass, ect) are missing out on learning how to transpose.
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Plekto
(232 points)
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I'd actually recommend a Bb "Tenor" flute instead if you wanted a transposing flute, as it works well with a lot of music, especially jazz, and there are numerous Bb instruments out there, most notably Clarinet.
The Eb as nice as it is, it just a bit too limited and except for the top octave being a bit higher and clearer, is essentially nothing that a normal flute can't do(the last 4-5 notes on most flutes just aren't played in normal music or are moved to piccolo).
Bb, otoh, gives you extra low notes and great options a lot like an alto flute does, but without the difficulties in size and so on. almost any player can play one with a little practice - and the low end is fantastic.
<Added>
obviously the trick here is finding one. Does anybody know who makes one?
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Penny
(218 points)
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The reason I was wondering about the E flat flute is because its smaller and i was woundering if the size made it easier for a small child to sustain a steady/decent tone on, rather than the breathing problems they have on the larger C flutes. B flat flutes are larger and in theory would be harder for them to play.
Another reason is because I heard someone say that the Eb flute has a lighter tone similar to a wooden piccolo's, but not a shrill.
<Added>
heres an e flat flutes i found on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=140199469172&Category=47100&_trksid=p3907.m29
couldn't find a B flat though
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I also read somewhere that the e flat flute use to be used to take the place of an e flat clarinet, but not so much any more because of the tone difference.
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suzie
(340 points)
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I think Eb flutes would be too much of a waste of $. They usually sell for around $1k so I think it would be cheaper to just get something like a Jupiter Prodigy which usually sells for around $400 new.
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mbrowne1229
(410 points)
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Plekto- altus makes both a Bb flute and an A flute. flute world doesnt give a price for these flutes, but im assuming that theyd be approx. around $6000 or more.
sankyo also makes a flute in A but not in Bb. Probably around the same kind of money as the altus.
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