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A while back, I wrote a post about different materials that piccolos are made of. You can find piccolos in various metals, woods, and even plastic. Aside from their different materials, you can also find different piccolo bores.

The bore is the shape of the inside of the tube of a wind instrument. Many instruments, like the oboe, have a conical bore. Other instruments, such as the concert flute, have a cylindrical bore.

You asked for it, and now I’m delivering! In this post, we are going to look at the differences between cylindrical and conical piccolo bores.

Cylindrical Bore

If an instrument has a cylindrical bore, that means that the tube does not get larger or smaller from one end to the other. The best example for this is the modern metal flute.

If you measure the diameter of a flute at the tenon between the headjoint and body, you will find the same measurement at the end of the foot joint. The headjoint itself does taper slightly, but that is beside the point for this post.

Pros

A cylindrical bore gives a fuller sound in the low register. Since the tube diameter does not get smaller at the end, the sound has more space to resonate.

Cylindrical bores also tend to have a more even scale, and the harmonics are closer to where they should be. Cylindrical bore piccolos are also more similarly built to flutes than conical bore piccolos.

Cons

Not many piccolos are cylindrical bore. That makes these instruments hard to find. Most cylindrical bore piccolos are made of metal, which is not usually a preferred material.

Because the low register is so strong, other tuning issues, particularly in the upper range, can arise. That means more time practicing or searching for alternate fingerings.

Models

Nagahara Mini

Jupiter JPC700

Armstrong 204

Most metal piccolos

Conical Bore

A conical bore instrument has one end that is noticeably smaller or larger than the other. Within the instrument, the tube tapers like a cone. In some instruments, like the oboe, it gets bigger as you reach the end of the instrument.

The case is reversed with the piccolo; the end of the instrument is smaller than at the top.

Pros

Conical bore piccolos are plentiful. Most piccolo models are made with a conical bore. If you only plan to learn how to play one bore, go for a piccolo with a conical bore.

Piccolos with a conical bore have fewer tuning issues than their cylindrical counterparts. And since most professionals and teachers have played a conical bore piccolo, more information and alternate fingerings are readily available.

Cons

The footjoint end of a conical piccolo is smaller than on a cylindrical piccolo, and that results in a smaller sound in the low register. Some piccolos, like those by Yamaha, really struggle in the low range.

One reason that the flute is cylindrical is because of various developments that helped the flute become a better instrument. However, the piccolo has been left in the dust. It is almost as if the piccolo is stuck in the 19th century, pre Boehm.

Models

Gemeinhardt 4SP, 4SH & 4SS

Most plastic, composite, and wood piccolos

How to Choose?

In most cases, you cannot request a certain bore for a piccolo. Some models are made with a cylindrical bore, others with a conical bore. While you can change certain specs on a piccolo, like adding a split E, that is not the case for the bore.

Rather than choosing a piccolo because of its bore shape, choose a piccolo based on materials, workmanship, and how it fits you. I have played an owned both a cylindrical bore piccolo and a conical bore piccolo, and they both play well.

It’s less a question of the shape and more a question of whether or not you can get a good sound out.

So…

Have you tried both cylindrical and conical bore piccolos? Which piccolo bore did you prefer? Let me know in the comments!

As flutists learn and grow, that student model no longer suits them. It’s time for an upgrade. There are so many different flutes out there for advancing musicians, that a trial is almost always necessary before buying a step up flute.

In this post, we are going to talk about flute trials, how you can get started with them, and how they work. Flute trials allow you to test out different flutes to see which one works best for you.

There are multiple ways to get started with a flute trial. You can go through your own flute repair tech/dealer, you can contact a local music store, or you can go through an online store.

If you are visiting a flute convention, you can also check out the exhibition hall to see what flute vendors are there.

I have done trials both through my flute tech and through a local music store. I haven’t gone through an online store, and I will explain why later.

Flute Techs

A lot of flute repair technicians are also authorized dealers for some flute brands. If you need to take your current flute in for maintenance, you can ask to try a few flutes that your tech has in store.

Going through a flute tech is good, because they will probably have a decent selection of flutes for your to try. As with any trial, give them your budget, and they can find a few flutes that fit your needs.

Not all flute techs carry new flutes for sale, though they might have used flutes that their other clients are selling. Used instruments can be a good way to get a great instrument for less money.

Music Stores

In person music stores are another great way to test flutes. This is how I got the most recent flute (an alto).

I called a local music store and asked if they could order a couple of alto flutes for me to try. Only one of them ended up making it to the store; the others were out of stock. Once I tried the one that made it in, I fell in love.

If you don’t fall in love with the first flute you try, make sure to try others.

The really nice thing about going through a music store is that they handle the shipping. You call in and tell them which instruments you’d like to try, and they go about finding those instruments.

I worked with an area location of a national music chain. What they did was call to other stores around the country to find the models I wanted to try. I loved not having to deal with shipping. The store also had a few practice rooms open for me to really test the flute.

If you want to know how I tested my new alto flute, let me know in the comments!

Online Stores

Some online stores, like FluteWorld, offer trials. They send you a few instruments to try. You have a set trial period, usually 3-7 days, and then you send back any of the instruments you do not want.

I considered going this route for my alto, but I really didn’t want to deal with shipping to me and back to the store. If you don’t live near a flute dealer or music store, going through an online flute vendor is your next best option.

Another benefit of using an online flute store is that you can choose from a wider selection of flutes. These stores tend to carry more brands than flute techs and in person/general music stores.

If there is a specific brand or model you want to try, check out a few online stores. Be sure to shop around, because each online store has their own trial policy. The trial lengths differ, and some stores may require payment, even if you do not buy any of the instruments.

Conventions/Festivals

Flute conventions and festivals are a great place to try a LOT of flutes at the same time. Big flute conventions like the NFA convention attract vendors and players from all around the world.

If you want to try even more flutes than through an online store, a convention is the place to do it.

You probably will not be able to take a ton on trial at once, but you can visit various booths and test the different flutes. If you have no idea what flutes you want to try, this is a great way to narrow your list of choices.

Testing lots of flutes can help you figure out which ones are absolutely not for you. You can eliminate those flutes from your list to try. If you find a few that you want to play with some more, then you can make note of that and set up a more thorough trial later.

So…

There are many ways to test out a flute before you buy it. In most cases, a trial will benefit you. You can test different flutes to see which works best for you, and you can be assured that you make the right purchase.

If you want to learn about how I test flutes, leave a comment below, and I can write a post all about my process!

So, this post is going up a month after I hoped it would. But, I didn’t end up booking my trip until late last month. Now it’s time: the initial planning and booking phase of NFA!

Last fall, I decided I wanted to go to the 2018 NFA convention. I had never been on a trip like this before, and I thought being a year out of college would be a good time to do it.

These are the steps I took when beginning the planning and booking for the convention.

Why Go?

The NFA annual convention is the largest flute event in the United States. Flutists and vendors from around the world come together for a long weekend filled with all things flute.

It doesn’t matter if you are a student, a professional, or an amateur player. There is something for everyone at the convention. Many flute vendors bring dozens of flutes that you can try.

There are also different recitals, lectures, and other events you can attend. You can also participate in competitions, if you plan ahead.

While I have never been, I am really looking forward to being somewhere where everyone else is as obsessed with the flute as I am.

Saving Up

First, you need to have the money to go on a trip. So that might mean setting some money aside each month. I am lucky enough to live at home and not have many expenses. I have been able to save most of my paycheck.

Convention costs can really add up. There’s the flight (or other means) to get there, the hotel, the registration fee, and more.

As soon as you know you want to go to any convention, start saving the money to cover those costs.

In one of the upcoming segments, we will cover how to save money for a convention.

Becoming a Member

In order to attend the NFA convention, you have to be a member of the NFA. There are a few different membership options, including student, online, and life.

Each level has a different cost, respective of what comes with the membership.

Active membership is the traditional membership; it includes a subscription to The Flutist Quarterly (NFA magazine), access to member profiles on the website, and more.

Student memberships are the same as regular ones, except they don’t include voting rights and are more budget friendly for students.

Life memberships are also the same as active memberships; the membership is paid for once and lasts for the life of the member.

Some levels also have the option for an online membership. You get a small discount but don’t receive a print copy of the member magazine.

Related: NFA Membership Levels

Registering for the Convention

If you do want to register for the convention, do it early. After July 24, the convention fees rise.

You can choose to register for one day or for two-four days. If you do not want to attend more than one day, the single day registration can save money.

The one day pass is also a good option for local residents or attendees who don’t plan to attend multiple days.

If you want the full experience, though, the full registration is worth it.

There are also special events for which you can buy tickets.

You also have to renew your membership at the time of registration.

Booking the Hotel

Possibly the biggest cost for this sort of trip is the hotel. If you want to stay in the convention hotel, you can’t shop around for nightly rates.

If you are okay with staying in another hotel, you can look at others in the area and use ground transportation.

In order to avoid high taxi costs, I chose to book a room at the convention hotel. I did that through the NFA website. That way, I could get the group discount, and I know for sure it is the right hotel.

Booking the Flight

There are many different ways you can travel somewhere. You can drive, take a train, or fly. For me, flying was the easiest option.

After looking around for the best flights, price and schedule, I booked my flights there and back.

If you live close to Orlando (the convention city this year), driving is an option. No need to worry about getting a seat or flying with your instrument.

So…

Are you planning a trip to the NFA convention this year? Have you booked everything yet? Let me know in the comments!

Just as the flute has its fair share of standard repertoire, it also has its fair share of method books. One of these methods is De La Sonorite, by Marcel Moyse. Today, I am going to share my first impressions of this famous flute book.

I am also going to talk about the importance of books like Sonorite. From Moyse to Wye to Taffanel & Gaubert, there are many useful flute books available. Sonorite fits in quite nicely with other advanced books like it.

Last week, I finally got my own copy of Sonorite. I took a trip to my local sheet music store and found Sonorite; I had to have it! So, here are my first impressions of the book as well as why every advancing flutist should have books like Sonorite.

NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. For my full disclosure policy, click here.

Sonorite? What?

De La Sonorite is French for “On Sonority,” and that is what this book is all about. Sonority means sound. The flute is capable of many different sounds, and tone development give you the foundation necessary for working with different tone colors.

Sonority refers to the whole sound of the flute. It encompasses tone, dynamics, and so much more. Long tone exercises, as boring as they may be, help you find the sound you want.

A Bach sonata is going to have different tone colors than a French Conservatory piece.

Moyse’s De La Sonorite works the whole flutist. The exercises cover the full range of the flute, and they use different intervals. While chromatic long tone exercises are important, you also need to maintain a good tone between fourths, fifth, and the dreaded tritone.

Why this book?

Yes, there are many different resources for tone exercises. A skilled flutist could even come up with their own. De La Sonorite is important, because it is a classic.

Most professional flutists and teachers have probably worked out of it at some point in their careers. It’s so popular, because it works.

I have just started working through the book, and I already have a different view on tone. Working on tone doesn’t need to be a hassle. It should be fun; you wouldn’t be able to play flute if you didn’t have some sort of tone.

What about other books?

There are many tone and technique books available for flute. Some good ones include Trevor Wye’s Practice Books for the Flute Omnibus Edition, Taffanel & Gaubert’s 17 Daily Exercises, and Maquarre’s Daily Exercises.

Of those, the Wye is the only one with a tone section.

All of these books are important to the serious flutist, but De La Sonorite fills a void. The Wye book covers everything a flutist should know. It doesn’t focus only on tone, like the Moyse book.

Okay, I’m convinced. How do I buy it?

There are many places where you can buy it. I bought my copy from a music store in my area. If you live close to any music stores, call and ask if they have a copy. Most stores can order it in, even if they don’t normally carry it.

You can also order the book online from Amazon, FluteWorld, or another music retailer.

There’s more.

This was mostly a first impressions of De La Sonorite. As I work through it in depth, I plan on writing a full review of each section and each exercise.

I will not be including the exercises themselves, because the book is not in public domain. If you want to check out the book for yourself, I suggest you look into buying your own copy. Or check with a friend or teacher about borrowing their copy.

This book really is the most famous, “standard” tone book.

So…

Do you have any of the standard flute practice books? Do you want to see a review of the others mentioned? Let me know in a comment below!