Tuning Mode. Pentatonic scale can be represented in several ways. Two particular ways are:
Mode 1 - (a 5-hole style) two holes near the top of the flute, a gap and three holes grouped nearer the foot of the flute. Most of my flutes are of this style.
Mode 4 - (a 5-hole style) three holes hear the top of the flute, a gap and two holes grouped near the bottom of the flute. Few makers today create pure Mode 4 flutes.
Mode 1/4 combination (6-hole) is actually a combination style tuning which incorporates all of the holes in both styles. In order to play a flute tuned this way in Mode 1, you simply never open the third hole from the top. Conversely, to play in pure Mode 4 you never open the third hole from the bottom. In reality, most 6-hole players play a much more complex style that is a blending of both Mode 1 play and Mode 4 play.
Now, why do I primarily make 5-hole Mode 1 flutes? Simplicity. These
are EXTREMELY user friendly flutes and are among the easiest instruments
to learn. I love 6-hole flutes but have found that novices tend to do
quite well when starting out on 5-hole Mode 1 flutes.
You can email me at terry@kokopelliflutes.com if you would like to know more.
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Updated: June 12, 2002
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