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Inline G versus offset G

Inline G versus offset G

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Inline G versus offset G    20:43 on Saturday, May 30, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

Cristine88
(2 points)

Hey everyone,

I am new here, and this is my first post. I have been playing flute for about six years. I bought a new flute last year, and am extremely happy with it. I had an offset G originally and got one the second time with out really thinking about it. What is the difference between and offset G or an inline G. Is it primarily comfort reasons or does the position of the keys chance the sound at all. Well I was just wondering. Thanks in advance for your help. I hope to be of some help to someone in the future as well.

Cristine

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    21:32 on Saturday, May 30, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

arfsflutes
(9 points)

it dosen't affect the sound. it for comfort before like 1980 there were no off set gs on the flute all in line.i perfer them to off set becasue duing fast passages they are easier to reach than inline gs. thats how i feel i don't know about you its all personal preference. happy practicing

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    23:53 on Saturday, May 30, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 1 vote

suzie
(569 points)

I agree that it was for comfort but there WERE offset G's prior to the 80s.

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    04:29 on Sunday, May 31, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

contra448
(402 points)

It's purely a matter of which your fingers find more comfortable.

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    12:59 on Sunday, May 31, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

Tibbiecow
(407 points)

There are some mechanical issues as well.
With inline, a split E becomes mechanically less stable.

But mostly, it is a matter of ergono0mics- some people can tolerate inline G with no problem at all, some (like me) do fine as long as the G key has a plug, and some people (mostly with small hands) develop repetitive stress injuries to their hands on inline.

<Added>

And Louis Lot developed the inline G a looong time ago.

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    17:27 on Sunday, May 31, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

Zevang
(339 points)

Yes they were for sure. My old Yamaha 21-S, which I bought back in 1978, was offset G.

One advantage for people who really like it, is that the offset G permits the instalation of the Split E mechanism, a resource that really facilitates emiting the high E (My old Yamaha had it too :-). Note that this doesn't mean that a flute without this mechanism would play badly. Practicing solves anything...

Zevang

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    21:40 on Sunday, May 31, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

suzie
(569 points)

There were flutes made with CLOSED HOLE keys, inline OR offset G and some were from the 1800s! I believe this was mentioned some time last year where I babbled on about offset G, semi-offset G and inline G keys being on both open AND closed hole flutes...
--**Hunts down pictures on hard drive!**--

-----CLOSED HOLE FLUTES-----

Very early flutes w/ Dorus G# had inline G & ring keys:
1 - http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/foreverwoodwinds/ringkeyflute/IMG_5536_2.jpg
2 - http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/foreverwoodwinds/ringkeyflute/IMG_5584_2.jpg
(Pardon the fact that the G# touchpiece was broken off and not seen in photos... The key on the left would be the Dorus G# - see http://www.oldflutes.com/articles/dorusim/dor1.gif .)

German-made French-pointed silverplated flute w/ closed hole & inline G:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/foreverwoodwinds/germanpointedflute/IMG_1111.jpg

Handmade Gemeinhardt flute w/ closed hole & offset G from early 1900s:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/foreverwoodwinds/gemeinhardtflute_wayold2.jpg

Handmade French(?) closed hole flute w/ offset G & C# trill (c.1920-1940?):
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/foreverwoodwinds/IMG_4177.jpg

-----OPEN HOLE FLUTES-----

Selmer Paris handmade flute (c.1930-ish), open hole & offset G:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/foreverwoodwinds/L1050549_info.jpg

Gemeinhardt M3 (c.1950-1960) w/ inline G:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/foreverwoodwinds/gemm33shflute/CIMG4989.jpg

Hope that helps date inline & offset G with open hole keys! There were PLENTY around prior to the 1980s! I think I'm starting to confuse myself with links of pictures but that should set you all straight on keys vs. time periods!

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Re: In-line G versus offset G    07:44 on Monday, June 01, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

Micron
(1759 points)

"...There are some mechanical issues as well.
With inline, a split E becomes mechanically less stable...."

True. Eg when going from third octave G to F#, the Bb key is inclined to remain down, messing up the F#, especially if the G key is pressed firmly. Unfortunately some top manufacturers still offer this unsatisfactory combination of features.

In-line G also means the Bb/A/G keys are far less rigid in the way they are mounted. That is not good for a high precision mechanism where adjustment and precision are ideally in the order of 0.01 mm (0.0004") or better.

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    10:59 on Monday, June 01, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

flutebabe
(8 points)

I like the offset g as it is easier to teach young kids how to play better than inline. I also like to play offset g as it is easier for the faster songs.

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    11:21 on Monday, June 01, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

Cristine88
(2 points)

Thanks everyone for your coments. I thought it was purely for comfort, but I wanted to make sure. Thanks for all the added info as well.

Cristine

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    14:33 on Thursday, June 04, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

vampav8trix
(427 points)

Suzie,

I always enjoy your pictures of old flutes. You are like a flute picture library.

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    14:36 on Thursday, June 04, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

vampav8trix
(427 points)

I could play a flute with an inline G comfortably until I broke my hands. Now it becomes painful after a few days.

You just have to find out what works for you.

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    19:33 on Thursday, June 04, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

suzie
(569 points)

Lol thanks vamp! Always glad to provide flute pics of anything I can find that may be beneficial to others!

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Re: Inline G versus offset G    20:07 on Friday, June 05, 2009 Vote for this post Vote against this post 0 votes

Plekto
(362 points)

IIRC, a few of the major makers also has a half-offset option. Apparently this is kind of the best of both worlds approach.

Another approach is to get an inline flute with closed holes, since you can then hit the G key a bit off-center without causing much strain. but these tend to be pricey handmade ones.

   

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