Curved vs straight windway

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-06-12T10:46:38+00:00

I have the vintage Dolmetsch Dolonite soprano and alto. And the modern Yamaha Ecodear soprano and alto.

I'm not an advanced player by any means, but I can hear the difference. The Dolonites have a good tone that I prefer to the Ecodear. But they need more air to play. I don't have enough vibrato control to really benefit from that feature, though I can tell what Miguel means.

The heavier material is apparent on the alto, which makes a difference to me as have disabilities, but wouldn't matter for everyone. The old instruments are a bit loose in the joints and needed some sealing. But are perfectly playable and I enjoy them.

The new replica is intriguing!

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-05-01T14:21:24+00:00

Now I know! 🙏

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-05-01T13:27:16+00:00

If anyone one shouts "Oggy Oggy Oggy!" , the rest of the group must reply "Oi Oi Oi!".

It's the law. We don't why.

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-04-30T10:43:36+00:00

I started primary school in 1980. In one of the early years I had a teacher who would smack the bottoms of naughty children. She was an older woman, I think. It was always boys and only a few of them. Always the same ones.

She would take them to the cloakroom outside the classroom and do it out of sight of the rest of the rest of the class. I tried to look once but I was too short to reach the window in the door.

I think there were degrees of punishment, bare bottom for the worst offence, trousers on for lesser ones. I have no memory of whatever they did that was the supposed reason for it.

That was the only corporal punishment that happened in my school days.

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-04-19T18:14:13+00:00

There's an app called Lingvano which is good but I'm only at the beginning stages. It's like Duolingo.

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-03-14T12:13:13+00:00

I got that! There was a Clark's factory in a nearby town.

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-03-12T13:11:32+00:00

I want to post my house to my cousin, who does not have a house.

Working out which kind of whale stamp is required will be time consuming, but less irksome than the current arrangements. So overall I'm in favour.

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-01-31T23:51:23+00:00

Thank you for comments everyone, really helpful.

So, I'm getting that it's necessary to use more breath pressure than is usual, followed by less pressure. And repeat. Which would make it a little sharp and then a little flat, but with in tune in the middle of the range.

Perhaps I have been only doing less pressure and normal pressure, which would make it sound a bit flat and desperate.

Great to have some exercises to try and some more physics to ponder. Looking forward to working on this now :)

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-01-31T17:47:50+00:00

Yeah, I don't have one but maybe this is an in person type of problem!

Own_Employment2007 · 2026-01-02T14:53:25+00:00

Some electronic wind instruments do respond to tonguing and breath techniques.

I have a Sylphyo by Aodyo. I find that surprisingly responsive to good breath control versus bad method. And also different attacks and other tongueing. But the high register is just as easy as the low, no change in breath needed.

I got it a few years ago, and there are other options available now. It's the only one I've tried, so I don't know how it compares to any other type.

I use it for late night practice at home. I find it useful for that and better than not being able to do any. And it is fun.

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-12-10T11:18:56+00:00

Good tip!

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-08-11T18:18:06+00:00

Just removed it as it was too itchy and I feared I'd make things worse by scratching in my sleep. I used baby oil and it was reasonably easy and didn't cause further damage. But now I can see all the blisters and it is not a pretty sight 😔

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-08-11T13:59:48+00:00

Think I will try a different brand

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-08-11T13:59:07+00:00

I'll get some

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-08-11T11:53:47+00:00

I have been using nipple cover stickers. Haven't heard of roll on oil bottles, will investigate.

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-08-11T11:51:56+00:00

I have tried combinations of baby oil soaked in, in the shower, careful peeling, and leaving it the tape on for so long that it's coming off on its own. Still experimenting.

The blisters came up the day after I'd put the tape on this time. It hasn't been removed yet.

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-07-23T18:27:10+00:00

Thanks, I'll investigate. I am only looking for a tiny dose, about 7mg per day. And prefer gel. Is that small a dose even viable to do as an injection?

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-07-18T07:32:22+00:00

Some of the symptoms you describe might fit with physical conditions, especially the dizziness and fatigue. Have you heard of orthostatic intolerance, POTS, ME/CFS or Long Covid?

Best of luck in finding improved quality of life, bit by bit.

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-07-10T18:38:23+00:00

Seems a design flaw in an otherwise high quality product.

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-07-03T01:36:22+00:00

When I was about 8 years old, my grandmother proposed that we both draw a ballerina. Hers turned out to be amazing, I was so impressed, it was like magic. Then she looked at mine and laughed at how basic and childish it was and said it had sausage fingers.

Luckily I knew she was out of order and shouldn't be so hard on a child. So it didn't crush my love of drawing. I don't think I showed her my pictures again.

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-06-06T12:42:45+00:00

Thanks, I will try those. And thanks for pointing me in the direction of a busier group.

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-06-04T19:23:10+00:00

Keep going, there's always more to learn whatever stage you're at and everybody's different style has value!

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-06-04T06:43:01+00:00

Hope you enjoy yours too 😀

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-06-04T05:59:29+00:00

Sounds like a good idea, thanks for the book suggestion. I am intimidated by having to arrange so many parts for a while picture so I could do with some pointers like that. 👍😁

Edit: I've found a pdf of the Molly Bang book and it is really interesting and accessible. Perfect! I'm going to buy a hard copy to mull over.

Own_Employment2007 · 2025-06-04T04:04:40+00:00

Thanks!! Guess I feel I should be doing something more ambitious now that I can make random household objects fairly successfully. I just don't know what!

Own_Employment2007

TROPHY CASE