I played Alto in a flute choir for EACC in my Jr. Year of high school. I LOVED IT! My favorite moment was playing on a corner on Main Street. It was during the Christmas block party, held every year.
I play the alto flute, and have played it in musicals and the like. I LOVE it! I play with an Orchestra as flautist and piccolo (plus oboe). I have both head joints. Depending upon what I am playing depends upon which head joint I use. With the curved head joint, yes, I do play it a wee bit above. One thing for sure, it is a gorgeous instrument, and I wish our Orchestra would have music of which calls for the alto flute! It is amazing how many flutes there are in the family - the bass flute and contra bass flute are also both amazing!
Awesome! Thank you for your comment and feedback on this beautiful instrument. Wish I could play and practice it more. So beautiful! And I agree, it should be used more in orchestra!
@@NaishaS I chose depending upon what I am playing. There are times the straight head joint gives upper register notes more clearly and less airy. It's something one has to figure out overall. Each person is different. For my regular flute, I have a specially made wooden head joint five more rich deeper sound
Tatiana... love your witty humor and I enjoy your teaching. You motivate me to practice more and improve on my Trevor James Chanson (c) flute... bravo!
I played alto and bass flutes, as well as soprano flute, in the university flute choir, and the bass and G (alto) flutes were both a blast to play. They both have their own thing and require their own practice time, but I think they ultimately enhanced my ability on flute in general. These days I no longer play alto or bass flutes, and I have long sold them, but I don’t regret the acquisitions or the experience. I played a straight headjoint alto. When I was no longer playing alto or bass flute, I decided to replace their practice time with saxophone!
I remember watching this when you made it. Around the time I got my alto flute. I always have admired you as a fellow flautist and a TH-camr. Thankyou for the fun 🎉
Have played an alto since before it was cool to own one (ok since I was 18 ~ about 40 years)... love alto big time but the biggest thing is to work on your core - you eventually can go from "middle C" to "C4" - yes it can be done....relax your mouth, your body and your arms... trust me.
Try the DiZhao alto flute. I just purchased mine a year ago and it's amazing how responsive it is, and how easy it is to play. I use it often in Celtic music. The haunting melodies and harmonies blend beautifully with the cellist I perform with. I do have to transpose everything (a fourth up) but it's worth it. Thank you for this episode. I enjoyed it -- very informative.
Also regarding the headjoint options: I used the curved headjoint a lot at first, because the weight of the flute is daunting, especially if you're in a long performance or practice session. I did notice the sound was not quite what I wanted ('bottled', as someone mentioned), so am now working with the straight headjoint. I do love the better sound.
I got my alto for $350 US on Ebay last year. It just needed tiny adjustments and it's perfect though certainly not solid silver. Never the less it sounds great to me. I own a solid silver C flute but I really like the alto now. Jazz yes, especially Brazilian jazz.
Blue Eyed Soul Man cool! That is a great idea. Sometimes you can really pick up great instruments second hand, especially if you know what to look out for! What brand is it?
@@TheFlutePractice It's an Armstrong. Made in Indiana, USA in 1972. The original owner used it only a bit and left it in the case. The action was not even stiff. No split E or trick keys but I can hit the higher E just fine. It took a few months of searching to find one at a low cost.
Great vid and so informative! As an an amateur i am in doubt to buy one myself. I think this flute is intended for the first two registers. It’s at his best there
i play the alto in my flute ensemble and i looove it! the one i use (it's not mine, unfortunately) has a very bad response, especially the curved headjoint and when we have to switch to the C flute or viceversa there's a huge difference. but, you know, it's a nice challenge indeed.
sara piazza it is! And sometimes really helps improves other aspects of your playing. Fighting with an instrument can sometimes be good. So cool that you get to play alto in the ensemble!
@@TheFlutePractice yess! since when i began on the alto one year ago i found that i have made progress with my embochure, intonation, breathe control and even with the stability with my hands. but i have to thank my teacher also for that. she put me on the alto because of that
I absolutely adore the alto flute! I love that mellow sound and I have tried a few. Having shorter arms, I prefer a curved headjoint. The rest I can work around. I definitely want to try one of the Trevor James Altos.
Gina Gamba awesome! Yes, I think we all have to work around our bodies. The first time I played alto for an extended period I did get some back and neck pain! So would also need to be careful with this. Curved is a great option and probably just takes some getting used to.
@@TheFlutePractice I have been having hand and wrist pain from the C flute and exploring options like lighter flutes or ergonomic design and even switching to piccolo. Seems ironic and a bit counterintuitive to want to explore a larger, heavier member of the flute family, even when I love it.
Totally hear you there! Perhaps also consider working with some sort of body movement specialist who may be able to help identify where and why you are getting the pain and help develop strategies to reduce it? I have done a lot of this type of work and I can say that it has really helped me a lot!
You traveled all the way from South Africa to London, England just to try an alto flute? Since you commented about low finances why not hire - purchase one? I hope your trap was fluteful for you.
Patrick Chambers hehe...that wasn’t my only reason for visiting. I actually was in Italy playing at a festival and then connected some business with the trip as well. I filmed several videos at some of these shops that I am very excited to edit soon 😃 I’m sure I will be able to invest in my own alto flute sometime soon and then I will most likely be traveling to London again to buy 😍😍😍
Yes the sound of curved headjoint is worse, as will be the tuning of some notes; it's an acoustics thing. Personally it feels to me like the sound is "in a bottle" if I push for resonance. There are some Hogenhuis low flutes where he's made the curve more gradual but Idk if he makes an alto like that (edit: I guess I was wrong; I don't know what maker I was actually thinking of that does that with the curve; I know there is one.) There is third option for setup of the curved headjoint, line it up with the rod and adjust the mouthpiece from there; it's the way I set up my bass flute after it was recommended to me at a low flutes thing and I think it does balance better that above or to the side on that instrument, though with alto I have more problems and just in general prefer the straight headjoint. Request: Starting the CONTRABASS FLUTE
As soon as I can get around a contrabass flute I WILL do this!!!!! That would be so so cool! Thanks for the great tip about the head joint and your experiences. While editing I actually hear that bottling effect quite clearly that you spoke of. Hit the nail on the head there. Very cool 😎
I also play the flute and have been thinking about buying an alto flute for a while. But what I also really liked about the video are your earrings! Where did you get them? They‘re fantastic!
But since NaSaLiE wants us to believe Earth is a sphere, with attached curved water, if the end of the flute is in Australia, wouldn't that make the flute like a half circle? Your accent sounds like UK right ?
I played Alto in a flute choir for EACC in my Jr. Year of high school. I LOVED IT! My favorite moment was playing on a corner on Main Street. It was during the Christmas block party, held every year.
I play the alto flute, and have played it in musicals and the like. I LOVE it! I play with an Orchestra as flautist and piccolo (plus oboe). I have both head joints. Depending upon what I am playing depends upon which head joint I use. With the curved head joint, yes, I do play it a wee bit above. One thing for sure, it is a gorgeous instrument, and I wish our Orchestra would have music of which calls for the alto flute! It is amazing how many flutes there are in the family - the bass flute and contra bass flute are also both amazing!
How do you choose which headjoint to use?
Awesome! Thank you for your comment and feedback on this beautiful instrument. Wish I could play and practice it more. So beautiful! And I agree, it should be used more in orchestra!
@@NaishaS I chose depending upon what I am playing. There are times the straight head joint gives upper register notes more clearly and less airy. It's something one has to figure out overall. Each person is different. For my regular flute, I have a specially made wooden head joint five more rich deeper sound
Tatiana... love your witty humor and I enjoy your teaching. You motivate me to practice more and improve on my Trevor James Chanson (c) flute... bravo!
I played alto and bass flutes, as well as soprano flute, in the university flute choir, and the bass and G (alto) flutes were both a blast to play. They both have their own thing and require their own practice time, but I think they ultimately enhanced my ability on flute in general. These days I no longer play alto or bass flutes, and I have long sold them, but I don’t regret the acquisitions or the experience. I played a straight headjoint alto. When I was no longer playing alto or bass flute,
I decided to replace their practice time with saxophone!
I remember watching this when you made it. Around the time I got my alto flute. I always have admired you as a fellow flautist and a TH-camr. Thankyou for the fun 🎉
Thank you so much for this. Will be very helpful for those picking up an alto for the first time!
Diane McCreedy pleasure!
I, as an Australian, love and respect you. 😘❤️😀
Ah! Awesome. Thanks ❤️
Have played an alto since before it was cool to own one (ok since I was 18 ~ about 40 years)... love alto big time but the biggest thing is to work on your core - you eventually can go from "middle C" to "C4" - yes it can be done....relax your mouth, your body and your arms... trust me.
You should have played the solo from California Dreamin'. A classic.
I absolutely adore the alto flute. Like the style of this video, looking forward to more like it. Nice job 👍
Yay! Thanks. I look forward to more videos like this as well and working with some other formats. 🎶
Try the DiZhao alto flute. I just purchased mine a year ago and it's amazing how responsive it is, and how easy it is to play.
I use it often in Celtic music. The haunting melodies and harmonies blend beautifully with the cellist I perform with. I do have to transpose everything (a fourth up) but it's worth it.
Thank you for this episode. I enjoyed it -- very informative.
Also regarding the headjoint options: I used the curved headjoint a lot at first, because the weight of the flute is daunting, especially if you're in a long performance or practice session. I did notice the sound was not quite what I wanted ('bottled', as someone mentioned), so am now working with the straight headjoint. I do love the better sound.
I got my alto for $350 US on Ebay last year. It just needed tiny adjustments and it's perfect though certainly not solid silver. Never the less it sounds great to me. I own a solid silver C flute but I really like the alto now. Jazz yes, especially Brazilian jazz.
Blue Eyed Soul Man cool! That is a great idea. Sometimes you can really pick up great instruments second hand, especially if you know what to look out for! What brand is it?
@@TheFlutePractice It's an Armstrong. Made in Indiana, USA in 1972. The original owner used it only a bit and left it in the case. The action was not even stiff. No split E or trick keys but I can hit the higher E just fine. It took a few months of searching to find one at a low cost.
Well done! Sounds like a really amazing buy 😃
Great vid and so informative! As an an amateur i am in doubt to buy one myself. I think this flute is intended for the first two registers. It’s at his best there
Starboarder yes, I do tend to agree...although that third register can be really haunting and beautiful too if played well!
such a gorgeous tone, thank you.
i play the alto in my flute ensemble and i looove it! the one i use (it's not mine, unfortunately) has a very bad response, especially the curved headjoint and when we have to switch to the C flute or viceversa there's a huge difference. but, you know, it's a nice challenge indeed.
sara piazza it is! And sometimes really helps improves other aspects of your playing. Fighting with an instrument can sometimes be good. So cool that you get to play alto in the ensemble!
@@TheFlutePractice yess! since when i began on the alto one year ago i found that i have made progress with my embochure, intonation, breathe control and even with the stability with my hands. but i have to thank my teacher also for that. she put me on the alto because of that
I absolutely adore the alto flute! I love that mellow sound and I have tried a few. Having shorter arms, I prefer a curved headjoint. The rest I can work around. I definitely want to try one of the Trevor James Altos.
Gina Gamba awesome! Yes, I think we all have to work around our bodies. The first time I played alto for an extended period I did get some back and neck pain! So would also need to be careful with this. Curved is a great option and probably just takes some getting used to.
@@TheFlutePractice I have been having hand and wrist pain from the C flute and exploring options like lighter flutes or ergonomic design and even switching to piccolo. Seems ironic and a bit counterintuitive to want to explore a larger, heavier member of the flute family, even when I love it.
Totally hear you there! Perhaps also consider working with some sort of body movement specialist who may be able to help identify where and why you are getting the pain and help develop strategies to reduce it? I have done a lot of this type of work and I can say that it has really helped me a lot!
@@TheFlutePractice I can't afford it right now, but it's on my list. Thanks for understanding!
You traveled all the way from South Africa to London, England just to try an alto flute? Since you commented about low finances why not hire - purchase one? I hope your trap was fluteful for you.
Patrick Chambers hehe...that wasn’t my only reason for visiting. I actually was in Italy playing at a festival and then connected some business with the trip as well. I filmed several videos at some of these shops that I am very excited to edit soon 😃 I’m sure I will be able to invest in my own alto flute sometime soon and then I will most likely be traveling to London again to buy 😍😍😍
Love Alto flute
googo151 me too! It’s so beautiful
Love the sound of the alto sooo much (tho i only played it once in an ensemble
Alison WU it is really beautiful yes!
Yes the sound of curved headjoint is worse, as will be the tuning of some notes; it's an acoustics thing. Personally it feels to me like the sound is "in a bottle" if I push for resonance. There are some Hogenhuis low flutes where he's made the curve more gradual but Idk if he makes an alto like that (edit: I guess I was wrong; I don't know what maker I was actually thinking of that does that with the curve; I know there is one.) There is third option for setup of the curved headjoint, line it up with the rod and adjust the mouthpiece from there; it's the way I set up my bass flute after it was recommended to me at a low flutes thing and I think it does balance better that above or to the side on that instrument, though with alto I have more problems and just in general prefer the straight headjoint. Request: Starting the CONTRABASS FLUTE
As soon as I can get around a contrabass flute I WILL do this!!!!! That would be so so cool!
Thanks for the great tip about the head joint and your experiences. While editing I actually hear that bottling effect quite clearly that you spoke of. Hit the nail on the head there. Very cool 😎
Fine. Awesome
I love the alto flute. Ive played on a Bass, but not a Alto.
I also play the flute and have been thinking about buying an alto flute for a while. But what I also really liked about the video are your earrings! Where did you get them? They‘re fantastic!
I want to buy one
Viktoriya Molchanova 😍
I think I would get a curved headjoint. Just try it, looks interesting.
Would it be bad to want to try and start with alto flute rather a c flute?
Beau son, trés doux.
Please review a bass flute.
These beautiful eyes again :D
Tobias Herrmann 🥺
can i get one that isn't over 3k
Is this Cape Town?
googo151 I was actually in London and filmed this video there 😃 have a few other videos on their way!
Haha holding a bass flute is harder than alto
This is very true 😅
1:35 it is really small compared to a bass flute
But since NaSaLiE wants us to believe Earth is a sphere, with attached curved water, if the end of the flute is in Australia, wouldn't that make the flute like a half circle? Your accent sounds like UK right ?
As a recorder player, I laughed wickedly when you broke your brain over transposing....this is meat and potatoes for recorder players.
"fingering" and "using the D". The jokes write themselves.