English flageolet, nominal pitch: G
1
© The University of Edinburgh
InstrumentFlageolet |
Instrument FamilyWind |
MakerComposite: Bainbridge & Wood / Goulding & Co |
Place MadeLondon; England; United Kingdom; Europe |
Date Made1802-1808 |
DescriptionThis boxwood English flageolet has two (left-handed) keys. It was made by Bainbridge, London between 1802 and 1808. The keys are silver, the ferrules ivory. There are seven finger-holes and one thumb-hole. The overall size is 418mm and the sounding length 274mm. It is stamped on the upper section “BAINBRIDGE / TEACHER & INVENTOR / 2 LITTLE QUEEN STREET / HOLBORN / LONDON / PATENT”, on windcap “PATENT” and with note names by the respective finger holes. The disposition of the keys, the way the touchpieces turn and the location of the small hole marked “C 7” suggest that the instrument was made for a left handed player. Technical description: Boxwood; 3 sections; silver `Quantz' keys for D♯ and E♭; ivory ferrules, mouthpiece and studs; 7 finger-holes plus thumb-hole; wind-cap. It looks as if this instrument was made for a left-handed player from the way the key touchpieces turn and location of the small hole marked "C 7". Performance characteristics: The lowest note is C♯, not C as stamped beside the hole; the ebony plug missing from the top finger-hole would give the instrument a three-finger tonic and a basic scale of G; lowest six-finger note sounds D⁵; the `Quantz' keys giving D♯ and E♭ open holes below the C♯ hole; the key further to the player's left gives D♯, the other gives E♭. Usable pitch: Sounding A⁴ = c 421 Hz (c 75 cents below A⁴ = 440 Hz). Keymount type: ring. Keyhead type: half-moon. Repair History: A ferrule may have been removed above the window. |
NotesEdgar Hunt, 1985; E. Smith, 2010. |
Measurements418. |
ProvenanceGift of Mrs M. Skinner, 1984. |
CollectionMIMEd |
Accession Number2444 |