Friday 2 August 2013

Unusual Hudson C Piccolos (Band Flutes)

        While browsing the Edinburgh University Musical Instrument Collection I came across two instruments pitched in C (in folk terms) made by John Hudson. These may be more properly called band flutes while piccolo is reserved for instruments D and above. Nomenclature aside they are the same instrument pitched lower. By non folk nomenclature they are Bb instruments in that fingered c plays a Bb.
         John Hudson made the earliest flutes named after English flute virtuoso Robert Sydney Pratten. Pratten flutes are highly sought after for Irish music.

What is interesting is that one of these instruments is is eight keyed going down to Bb if the notes are correct, here

The second is keyless with no evidence of a missing Eb. I would think this is unusual for a conical flute in C at this time.

I would be delighted to find an antique C pitched piccolo. I have a lot of time for my Bb band flutes.

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