minstrel: Flute music help please

[david ball]

I have just finished my first, and rather successful, attempt at building a 
6 hole transverse flute out of PVC pipe. It is in the key of G, just 
because. I am thinking of making one in the key of F as it would match my 
recorder that I like the sound of best. On the other hand, if I made one in 
the key of C, then it should work better for me trying to learn to read 
music as there is a good deal of "big note" music written for the key of C 
(right?). The cost of the project was somewhat less than 40 cents. I love 
the idea of making real music (and it does have a pretty tone)for a few 
pennies, and not having to be very careful of the thing. I even have an idea 
for making it look a bit better, and at the same time, reducing the cost to 
make to about 15 cents per copy. So far I am a happy camper. Now comes the 
questions.
   What I know of music theory could be written on a post-it-note. The whole 
idea that I can have two flutes (in different keys) that I can use the same 
fingering on to play the same song, but be playing sharps and flats on one, 
and regular notes on the other bounces off my brain like a .22 fired at an 
M1 tank. I guess that's why I play by ear; that's as far into my cranium as 
music wants to go. I understand that there was/is a notation system that 
used "do-ray-me" instead of C-D-E that might be more in keeping with the 
mechanics of the flutes I am playing. Or would I be better off just learning 
to interpret the dots on the page to match the finger positions on one 
flute, and then just change flutes when I want to change keys, and not think 
about it too much?
    I'd just bag it all and keep playing by ear, but it would be nice to be 
able to pick up a sheet of music and be able to play the song. But as you 
have probably already figured out, I am not even sure what questions I 
should be asking. Any help/discussions that can be kept at a "See Spot play 
the flute. Play Spot play" level would be greatly appreciated.

David Falcone


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