My High D Flute/Piccolo

I recently decided to offer a high D flute made from the same pvc pipe that I use to construct my other smaller-bore flutes. The bore diameter of this pipe is 15.5 mm, which makes it quite a bit larger than other flutes and whistles in high D. For example, my silver concert piccolo has a bore diameter of 11 mm, while another plastic D piccolo that I own has a bore diameter of 12 mm. The larger bore diameter of my flute/piccolo makes for a very robust first octave, which is ideal for a folk flute, whereas my concert piccolo and other fifes are not as responsive in this range. My flute/piccolo plays two full octaves, but the last couple of notes of the second octave are rather shrill, something, by the way, that I find on other instruments, as well. Since these highest notes are not frequently used in most folk melodies, I don't consider this a major problem with the flute. The flute has a Tipple-Fajardo wedge in the headjoint to improve second octave intonation. It also has a C natural thumb hole that has a dual purpose. It can be used to finger C natural instead of using the cross fingering. It also can be partially vented to help bring in and adjust the pitch of the highest notes of the instrument, similar to thumbholes on recorders and other orchestra woodwinds. This thumb hole can be taped over if you don't want to use it.

The photo shows the high D flute compared to the Clarke D penny whistle. You can click on the photo to enlarge it. So far I haven't received any audio files from good players, so I recorded a tune, which will have to do until I receive something better.

http://www.box.net/shared/xauk0fc22c

On New Year's Day 2010 I was invited to a house party and was instructed to bring a flute, as there were to be a group of folk musicians attending. It doesn't look like it in the photo below, but the room was full of people. I played a few tunes on my D piccolo, and the 70 year-old hostess danced a jig, much to the amusement of her husband.

Since only a few people have played the flute thus far, I have limited feedback about the flute. A professional NYC flautist, who is using my small bore flutes for Broadway musicals, gave the flute a "thumbs up". Also, a professional ITM multi-instrumentalist in southern California commented, "I really like it. It's a lovely little thing. It's possible, if you use more of an orchestra flute style embouchure, to play it both at a tasteful volume and with good intonation." On the other side of the coin, there are a couple of limitations that can be mentioned. For one thing, the holes on this flute are close together. If you have larger fingers, you may not have room to comfortably finger this little flute. Also, this can be a very loud flute. That's good if you are trying to be heard in a loud session. For practice, however, I have found it best to use some ear protection, at least in my right ear.