I've been looking at Irish flutes for a while now, but I can't seem to find any that are in the key of C. I'm not all that great at transposing, and I'm interested in trying out some different flutes.

Are there any Irish flutes made in the key of C? and if so, could anyone lead me in the right direction? I'm looking for an Irish flute that has the same keys as a (i'm not sure of the technical term) normal flute.

I've been to many different sites, and have sent numerous amounts of e-mails asking this question, but I don't ever recieve an answer.

Also, if you have any suggestions on any other kinds of flutes that would be interesting to try out, I'm open to any ideas as well!

Thank you!

Well, I'm sure you could custom order an Irish/Baroque flute in the key of C, but why would you want to? They're in the keys they're in (D being the most widely available) because most Irish/Celtic music is in the key of D or G (or their relative minors). Trying to play this music on Irish flutes in another key would involve many very awkward fingerings. Also, you won't find an Irish flute with the same key system as a "normal" (Boehm) flute....They're two separate things. If you did, you'd have yourself a wooden Boehm system flute, rather than the Baroque simple system flutes Irish music is traditionally played on. If you're interested in playing Celtic music, it can be done on a Boehm flute (most of the ornaments are still possible), but it may be slightly more difficult.

There are a number of maker's of "Irish" flutes in C.

Terry McGee is an example.

http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/C_flute.htm

Also, do a search or ask on the Chiff & Fipple flute forum.

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewforum.php?f=2

However, as already stated, you really want a flute in the key of D for Irish tunes.

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I don't think you'll find an "Irish" flute that has the same keys as a normal (Boehm) flute. It would be a considered a normal/Boehm flute, and not an Irish flute, although it can be used to play Irish tunes.

Irish flutes are typically made of wood. You could get a wooden Boehm flute, but it would still not be considered an Irish flute.

What you might want is a 4 or 6 keyed wooden Irish flute. The 4 key flute is considered fully chromatic, i.e., you can play all the sharps and flats as well as natural notes.

The "D" Irish flute (and pennywhistle, technically) is really pitched in the key of C, but because the lowest note it fingers is a "D", that's the nomenclature assigned to it. If you play a D on an Irish flute in D, you are covering holes 123 123. Same with the Boehm flute. The only thing that differs is that with the D flute, f# and c# are fingered normally; you have to half hole to get the c natural and f natural. Have I confused you yet?

Here's a great primer on Irish trad flutes & music:

http://www.woodenflute.com/

Thanks for all the information! I guess I could make more sense in what I want . . .

I play a lot of instruments, but I've been playing my flute the longest and I want a different sound. I absolutely love the sound of Irish Flutes and Shakuhachi, but I don't want to play the actually Celtic music. I'm interested in being able to play the normal music I play now in the community band I'm in. I asked the conductor and he wasn't sure, but he said that if I wanted to do that I would have to transpose with a D flute, and like I said before, I'm not the best at it.

I'm probably confusing you all . . . but I'm very grateful for your help. Thanks again!

You could try a wooden headjoint on your Boehm flute. This might be the best initial comprimise.

I've been through several, keyless & keyed, wooden flutes, and shakuhachi(s). I've come full circle back to the Bohem flute. I still have a couple of nice wooden flutes and shakuhachi. I only use them occasionally.

Thank you all very much! You've really helped!