Thumpy
04 juni 2008
Thumpy the thumb flute is a relatively simple instrument with a surprisingly beautiful and natural sound. This new flute has been designed and developed by Dutch flutist-composer Wil Offermans and is produced by Studio E. The Thumpy Book - composed by Wil Offermans and published by Zimmermann, Frankfurt - provides a basic method for the Thumpy flute with text in six languages.
Thumpy is available in three models:
• Thumpy Junior: the basic version
• Thumpy Classic: handmade high-quality version
• Thumpy Classic Pro: handmade top-quality version
More about Thumpy
The Thumpy is constructed out of a straight, cylindrical wooden pipe with an embouchure-hole near the middle of the pipe. The pitch can be controlled by covering the open endings with the thumbs (with the basic combinations of: open-open; open-closed; closed-open and closed-closed) and combining the various harmonics. Because of the primitive character of this flute, it may remind us to the European bone flutes or the Japanese Ishibue (natural stone flute).
Anyone can play the thumb flute: if you have never played a flute before, Thumpy is a perfect way to learn to blow. You don't need any musical knowledge and you can start right away. It is a great way (surely for children) to develop the embouchure before switching to the Boehm-flute. However, if you are already a flutist, you will enjoy Thumpy, its simplicity and its rich sound, while you can easily take it with you wherever you go (sounds great in the mountains!). Besides, Thumpy can stimulate a flexible use of the embouchure and the breathing.
