Dear Forum ....

A number of people have responded to my post about "Marigaux" flutes.

I have been directed to different links, regarding just "whom" offers wooden flutes --- and I appreciate it.

Yet, one question still haunts me, that has not been answered: Since the flute is a "woodwind" instrument, how did we transgress to "metal" flutes?

The Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon remain "wooden instruments".

HOW did the flute becomce the only "woodwind" instrument, now made of metal materials?

I don't get it. Sorry for my ignorance. Perhaps those on the forum who know more about flute construction than I, could enlighten me?

My ONLY guess is (and it's just a guess) is that the wooden flutes don't have enough "projection" to be "heard".????

Just curious, and looking for answers.

Regards, Jim

HOW did the flute becomce the only "woodwind" instrument, now made of metal materials?

The following two web pages may provide a clue, i.e., related to the influence of the French Flute School, and its prefenence for a metal Boehm flute.

http://www.flutehistory.com/Playing/Frenchschool.php3

http://www.flutehistory.com/Instrument/FrenchBoehm.php3

<Added>

spell check: preference not prefenence

Try here:
http://www.atelierdelutherie.info/Flute-History?lang=en

Check out the 1846 entry.

The first entry begins in the year 1320.

Joe B

1846 --- He experiments with different metals, decides on silver for the best tone quality and least fatiguing to play.

Entry doesn't mention experiments with wood vs. metal, only different metals.

Interesting that Boehm's experiments conclude that material does effect tone, i.e., silver is best, and silver is still the prevailing material.

Yes, that was interesting.

Joe B

Thanks to all for your feedback and the links.

I'm sure other members appreciate it, too.

Regards, Jim

As far as projection from a wood flute goes, my experience is with a wood headjoint in a silver (c-foot) flute.
The tone that I get from the wood flute seems to me richer and 'rounder', and it is very similar in volume to my silver or silver plated headjoints, though the metal HJs do project a bit more.

You would go through a lot of wood if you made mistakes in manufacture of the headjoint, whereas you can melt silver down to start over. (This would probably mostly apply to older handmade manufacture, before the machine age made consistency much more prevalent.)

HOW did the flute become the only "woodwind" instrument, now made of metal materials?

It's not. Saxophones are also made out of metal. Of course, they have a wood reed (usually). I have also seen metal clarinets, though they are not the norm.

Regarding metal flutes, I think it's because metal is a lot easier to work with than wood. I could be wrong though.

Thank you, atoriphile.

Yeah, I forgot about saxophones. I guess I just don't like that "bleeting" sound. Maybe that's why I never thought of them as a woodwind instrument.

How about wooden saxophones? Hey! We could go into business!

As an aside, the only saxophone I ever heard that I liked was S Rascher's (sp?) performance with the Phil O: Pictures at an Exhibition.

Regards, Jim

I think a lot of it had to do with early marching bands. They even tried making clarinets out of metal for a while(I remember seeing one growing up).

Somehow, metal seemed to have "stuck" with flutes in the U.S. and Europe.

But you can get a modern flute in wood as well now - just Yamaha and others charge insane prices for it.

Thank you, Pletko.

I'm surprised --- I really thought wooden flutes would be less expensive.

I guess that's because it would be a "special order" (you know how manufacturers are).

Regards, Jim

I like wooden flutes, they look they are easier on the hands, like to hold, as though they feel more comfortable. It seems to me like that I also like the wooden flute that Yamaha produces, I would love if like Gemeinhardt, and Pearl make wooden flutes. They'd be my next thing to spend money on.

Thank you, flutesandpiccolo:

I agree with your response to this post.

Regards, Jim

They even tried making clarinets out of metal for a while(I remember seeing one growing up).

Reminded me that I have one in my "collection". There are always some up for auction on eBay.



<Added>

In the movie "Wild Man Blues", during a visit to the Buffet factory, Woody Allen tried a metal clarinet that was part of the Buffet collection. He liked it very much, but Buffet would not sell it to him. He ended up with a wooden clarinet.

Thanks for your input, dio.

I've never seen a metal clarinet. Didn't even know that they existed!

Regards, Jim