Irish Flutes
The simple system wooden flutes such as those made by Martin Doyle are are commonly known as Irish flutes. This page offers some background on how the term ‘Irish flute’ came into being.
The term simple system refers to conical-bore flute that was in use before Theobald Boehm introduced his cylindrical-bore design in the mid-19th century. With the change to the Boehm system, the old simple system flutes were adopted by Irish traditional musicians and are now known universally as Irish flutes.
Simple system or Irish flutes are usually made of timbers such as African blackwood (Mpingo), cocuswood, rosewood, and boxwood (view the Woods Used For Making Flutes page). They have six tone-holes and anywhere from zero to thirteen keys. Many experienced Irish flute players prefer six or eight key flutes, although much of the traditional Irish repertoire may be played on a keyless flute. Tin or penny whistles use exactly the same fingering and are often the instrument upon which flute players begin — hence the famous Irish traditional music quote (by person or persons unknown), “Never get one of those cheap tin whistles. It leads to much harder drugs like pipes and flutes.”
Irish Flute Links
- A Guide to the Irish Flute — an inspiring site about learning Irish music on the flute.
- What is an Irish flute? (Part 1) and (Part 2) — informative pages on The Standing Stones website.
- Rod Greenway’s Irish Flute Pages — all sorts of great information about playing the Irish flute.
- The Flow — an appreciation of traditional Irish flute playing styles.
- Rick Wilson's Historical Flutes Page — photos, descriptions and information about historical flutes.
- FluteHistory.com — resource regarding the development of the transverse flute over the past 800 years.
- WoodenFlute.com — the primary focus of this website is the simple system wooden ‘Irish’ flute.
- Irish Flute and Flute — Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia.
- Rambling House — an invaluable resourse with a comprehensive and inspiring Musicians’ Archive.
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