Erik the Flutemaker Vivaldi Minor Flute
This handmade Vivaldi Minor flute has been crafted by Erik the Flutemaker. The flute is fully made of bamboo. It is played like a western flute, blown from the side and held horizontally. It requires a little practice to get comfortable playing such an instrument. The sound of the Vivaldi Minor reminds us of the Renaissance, as it is tuned to the harmonic minor scale. It sounds deeper and lower than its consort, the Small Minor, but it is higher pitched than the Counselor. This flute is tuned to itself, meaning that it doesn't correpsond with a regular instrument tuned to A440, but it sounds beautifully in tune when playing solo.
How to play this flute?
- Aim your airflow against the edge of the embouchure hole
- This requires some practice and patience
- The flute is held horizontally, this too requires some practice
- There's 6 fingerholes on top, and no thumbhole on the back
- Cover the holes with the pad of the fingers, not the fingertips
The musical possibilities
- This flute easily plays in the harmonic-minor scale
- It is also possible to play notes outside of this scale
- This is done by half-covering fingerholes
- The flute has a reach of 2 octaves
