The Low Bb - Powell #4871

Looking through our archives this week, we spotted a very unusual flute -- Powell #4871.  It was made in 1976, and the most distinguishing feature of this flute is its low Bb!  The flute was made of sterling silver and had the following specs: soldered tone holes, .014" tubing, Cooper Scale, French cups, offset G, split-E, and a C# trill.

The low Bb is operated by a left hand lever which closes the key cup.  You'll see this outlined in the photos below.  Powell's repair technician, Rachel Baker, mentioned that it was most likely positioned there because there would not be enough room next to the C and B rollers on the footjoint.  Also, the C# trill key on this flute has a different shape and is positioned differently than a traditional C# trill key.  The C# trill key here is quite long in comparison and is located below the Bb shake (rather than above, which is where it is normally located).

Enjoy the photos below of this very unusual Powell!

Close-up on the footjoint (tone hole closest to bottom of footjoint is the Bb).

Low Bb is operated by a left hand lever (next to G# key).

No room next to B and C rollers for an extra key!

Green arrow points to low Bb key, red to Bb shake, yellow to C# trill.

A different flute for comparison.  Blue arrow points to a traditional C# trill, red arrow to Bb shake.

Close-up on serial number.

Wooden Flute and C# Trill

We had a customer ask why our wooden flutes are not available with a C# trill, so we went straight to our Wood Instrument Shop Manager, Tim Burnett, to find out!

It turns out that there are a few reasons why a C# trill is not an option.  Tim told us that a C# trill tone hole would be in a bad spot of the wood -- where the wood can be unstable and weak.  Also, there really is no room for another tone hole in that particular area of the flute body.  As you can see from the photo to the right, and from our previous post on forming tone holes in wooden flutes, the tone holes are rather large because of the way they are carved from the wood (especially the area around the tone hole that provides clearance for the key cup).  You can read the previous post on forming wooden tone holes by clicking here. 

So, it's pretty clear that tone holes on a wooden flute take up quite a lot of space, but it may be hard to visualize exactly how there would be a lack of space for the C# trill -- so we thought a photo refresher comparing metal flutes with and without the C# trill might be helpful.  In the photo below, we see the two flutes next to each other.  There is a yellow arrow pointing to the key cup with the C# trill. 

Now, looking at the photo below of the back of a wooden flute, it definitely becomes clearer.  The C# trill tone hole and key cup would simply be too close to the thumb keys (because it would be in the same place it is on a metal flute). 

So, there you have it!  The reason why there is no option for a C# trill is because of space and location -- not enough room for the C# trill tone hole and key cup, and definitely not a good spot on the wood for this, either.

Closer Look at the C# Trill

Often times, we have customers ask if a C# trill can be added to their flute as an aftermarket customization.  It can get pretty tricky since this type of customization would require an extra tone hole to be put in the flute -- which changes the body, which can change the response and sound, and...  Well, the list goes on.  It's more complicated that just adding a key.  So, we began wondering about other differences between flutes with and without a C# trill key.  We stopped by flute finisher Karl Kornfeld's bench just as he was working on a Powell Conservatory with a C# trill.

We took a series of photos which you will see below to illustrate the differences.  Flutes with a C# trill are very easy to identify -- you can clearly see the C# trill key next to the Bb shake.  If you look a little more closely, you'll begin to notice a few more additions to make the C# trill function properly.  Beginning with the back of the flute, you will notice an extra tone hole (and key cup) next to the thumb keys.  Looking at the front of the flute, you can see a couple of additions to the mechanism.  First, the C# trill key requires an extra mechanism tube.  This extra tubing needs to be stabilized so that it does not bend -- so, there is an extra cradle for the tube.  There is also an extension on the post at the end of the tube, which is actually one piece.  Finally, because there is an extra key on the flute, the key requires an extra adjustment for key height.

So, as we can see, the C# trill adds more than just a little key to the mix.  Obviously, the tone hole for the key is made along with all the other tone holes during the body fabrication process.  As noted above, flutes with a C# trill require several additional parts for the mechanism.  If you have a C# trill key on your flute, or if you are looking at flutes with a C# trill, take a closer look -- you'll see more than just a key!

One thing you'll notice right away is the extra tone hole next to the thumb keys.

A closer look at the extra tone hole. 

The actual C# trill key is easy to spot.

Yellow and orange arrows point to the mechanism tubing that both flutes have -- blue arrow points to the extra tube for the C# trill key. 

Karl is pointing to the extra cradle for the extra tube.

A view of the extra cradle from the back.

Yellow arrow points to the one-piece post extension.

Karl is pointing to the extra adjustment for the C# trill key height.  We couldn't capture the actual adjustment in this photo, but it is a very small piece of felt under the key.

After Market Customizations

Is it possible to customize your flute with some optional features after you've purchased it?  The answer would be a solid "maybe," depending on the flute.  Each flute must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.  Here at Powell, there are some options that can be added after the flute has been purchased.  Regardless of whether you have an in-line or offset G, there are certain options that are available.  For a C# trill or split E, the flute would have to be analyzed by the repair tech to see if it would be possible to add these.

Enclosed D# Roller

There are a couple of options that are definitely possible, such as a G disc, which can always be added.  If you are interested in adding a B foot or C foot, that is available as well.  You can order a B or C foot, and it will be made in the shop.  You could even choose a different metal if you would prefer.  You would need to send your entire flute to the shop to have the new B or C foot fitted to the instrument.  Also, a D# roller could be added, although it would have to be an "enclosed" roller (as seen in the photo on the right).

Customizations can always be considered for Powell Signature, Conservatory, and Handmade Custom flutes.  Unfortunately, there are certain models that we are not able to customize after purchase, including Powell Sonaré models, the Powell 2100, and the Powell 3100.  Options are not available on the Powell Sonaré flutes because the mechanism is different from a Powell custom, and the keys are plated.  The 2100 and 3100 also have mechanisms and key shapes of a much different design than a traditional Powell model.  Powell aftermarket options are only available on Powell flutes and not on other brands, unfortunately.  If you are considering an after market customization, make sure to contact our repair technician to see what might be possible.  Our technician, Rachel Baker, can be reached at rbaker@powellflutes.com.