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(A revised dating of the Malham Pipe now places it within the early medieval period.
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Examples found to date include a possible Neanderthal fipple flute from Slovenia, which according to some scientists may date from 81,000 to 53,000 BC a German flute from 35,000 years ago and a flute, known as the Malham Pipe, made from sheep's bone in West Yorkshire dating to the Iron Age.
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In Europe, such instruments have a long and distinguished history and take various forms, of which the most widely known are the recorder, tin whistle, Flabiol, Txistu and tabor pipe.Īlmost all primitive cultures had a type of fipple flute, and it is most likely the first pitched flute type instrument in existence. Don’t be afraid by the instrument, it does take a while to get used to the instrument, but after a year practicing, you’ll start to really have fun.The tin whistle in its modern form is from a wider family of fipple flutes which have been seen in many forms and cultures throughout the world. However, if you’re attracted towards the wooden flute, then go for it! The price tag can be a little scary at first, but you’ll be able to sell your flute easily if you finally decide it’s not for you. You’ll learn several new tunes, and improve your musical ear (yes, learning by ear is the best way to learn Irish music). Start with the whistle: it’s cheap, easy to start, and it gets you into the world of Irish music. Here’s our piece of advice from our own experience. So, are you wondering whether you should start the tin whistle or the Irish flute? In the end, the choice comes down to your own preference. Here’s a quick summary showing the main differences between the penny whistle and the Irish flute: The Irish flute, although sharing some of the whistle foundations, is a completely different instrument, with a subtle, richer tone, but a much steeper learning curve ( see our article on how hard it is to learn the Irish flute). That’s how the wooden flute starts spreading in Irish music sessions. It shows superior acoustic characteristics, and all the classic flute players sell their old wooden flute for nothing in order to move to the new metal flutes. In the early 1900s, the Boehm flute (or concert flute as we know it) starts to emerge. Matt Molloy, one of the greatest player of Irish fluteīack to our story: remember that 100 years ago, most people in Ireland were living off farming and could not always afford a more expensive instrument. The wooden Irish flute can be keyless or keyed ( usually 6 or 8 keys), and is the ancestor of what we know as the metal concert flute played by orchestras. The “ true” irish flute per say is another instrument : the wooden transverse flute, played by the greats like Matt Molloy, Kevin Crawford, Josie McDermot etc.