Slide flute, in english please!

The XXI Century's musical instrument!        

“Scoatariu flute”, the sliding flute


Since the saxophone (patent filed in 1846), a new wind instrument had not been invented, for more than 150 years, In 2009, Jean-Marc Scoatariu, professional musician, invented a new slide flute.

Jean-Marc Scoatariu is not a Gyro Gearloose. Trained flutist, he taught for 10 years before turning toward the direction of the choir, specifically with the CRD of Blois / Agglopolys since 2000. However, in 2008, he attended the opening of an artist working on whistled languages who played a composition with a glass flute. It was then that Jean-Marc began to imagine an instrument which would approach this particular way of communication.

Several attempts and several versions in wood and metal have led to the creation of his sliding through “Scoatariu flute,” for which he obtained the Gold Medal at the Lepine International Contest in 2009.

Equipped with a conventional mouthpiece, the “Scoatariu flute” has a cylindrical body as instruments of the Renaissance and a piece which fills the tube, in order to play three harmonics from a root note (G, E and B flat on a C), and increase the range of notes to the treble. It covers four octaves (Bb2, E7). The symmetry of its mouthpiece and the fact that’s there is no hole allows a use of the instrument by either right or left-handed people. Play mode is a simple opening of the arm to shorten more or less the length of the body and produce different tonalities.

Jean-Marc Scoatariu would like his instrument to perform different functions. It may be given to a beginner to familiarize them with the typical mouth of a flute and to train his/her ear. In addition, the “Scoatariu flute” can be played and a practical guide with some basics will be developed, since it is possible to obtain the same note with different positions depending on whether it is a fundamental or harmonic note. The instrument is played, however, in an intuitive and fun way, inviting a person to explore the sounds, with the performance of a wide note repertoire that allows a particularly acrobatic game.

Regarding tone and timbre, its inventor evokes the Pan flute, “les ondes Martenot” (Martenot waves) and human voice. We can imagine without doubt a mixture of the three; the sound is especially round and warm. It is true that the sliding tube plugged into the body makes it rather difficult to produce a neat note. The transition from one height to another is audible, like a glissando on a string instrument or a portamento.

The principle of the instrument allows someone to produce micro intervals and to perform on the roads of contemporary music. Jean-Marc Scoatariu hopes incidentally that his invention will inspire composers and lead to the creation of new works. For now, the flute seems designed for Jazz, South American repertoire and also music from Central Europe. However, it is  not restricted to the music of "the world" but may also provide an alternative interpretation of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque pieces.

Made of carbon fiber, the “Scoatariu flute” is 38 cm long (76 cm with the tube extended) and weighs 80g, which makes it easy to play and to carry. It can also be made of wood, changing slightly the color of its sound.

For now the flute is not manufactured on a large scale. Its inventor ordered a dozen samples to present the instrument to musicians, either professional or music lovers. It is possible to see and try it in several stores (see details below). As for its price, it is not yet determined, however its inventor announces that it should be lower than a study flute. He’s still looking to finalize manufacturing, commercialization and distribution particulars.

When referring to the invention of the saxophone, Jean-Marc Scoatariu reminds us that the instrument is nearly 180 years old, and that its success is mainly due to jazz. He secretly hopes that his "baby" will experience a quicker success ...

Katia CHOQUER

Diapason
number 584 Oct.2010