DeutschBraun Oktav-Flute
The Braun octave flute has been on the market since October 2010 and represents a further development of the Braun piccolos, which have been crafted since 1985.
The instrument was commissioned and developed in collaboration with Rolf Bissinger (Städtische Oper Frankfurt am Main).
Michael Hasel, who had previously been involved in the development of the Braun piccolo, was once again consulted during the testing phase, contributing his many years of experience from his daily work with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra to the final fine-tuning.
The Braun octave flute is distinguished by being the world’s first successful realisation of Theobald Boehm’s previously unresolved octave flute concept. The historical problem was resolved on the basis of scientific calculations rather than purely empirical evidence. The resulting construction is protected by a valid patent in Germany and the USA.
The chief characteristics of the "Small flute", compared to the"Piccolo" are:
- The scale of the small flute is far better suited to the concert flute than that of a standard piccolo, which is two semitones shorter. Consequently, the small flute has a similar tonal character to the concert flute. This offers a major advantage within the orchestra and enables the woodwind section to produce a beautifully harmonious and cohesive sound.
- Greater richness of tone and, consequently, a more pleasant sound, particularly in the third octave.
- The tonal balance across all three registers is significantly better.
- Effortless response and articulation, particularly in the third octave.
- Many more special fingerings from the concert flute are possible to use.
Sound samples:
Dmitri Schostakowitsch Symphonie Nr.8
c-Moll op.65
Berliner Philharmoniker, Andris Nelsons
16.Okt.2010
1:43 min. aus 2.Satz Allegretto
Gustav Mahler Symphonie Nr.2 c-Moll
Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle
30.Okt.2010
1:31 min. aus 5.Satz Im Tempo des Scherzo
Full-length concerts. Digital Concert Hall / Informationen
Sound samples: Our YouTube Channel
"Oktav-Flute" /zylindrical Oktav-Flute to the low c¹
In the search for the best-sounding C-foot piccolo, a cylindrical Boehm piccolo extending down to low C with a thumb hole was also designed and successfully crafted.
This marked the first successful realisation of a design that Theobald Boehm had already attempted to solve and which had remained unsolved since 1847.
A patent application for this design was filed on 11 March 1998 and was granted on 23 September 1999.
Due to our limited production capacity, we have not yet put it into production.Sound sample: "Oktav-Flute" with piano
Vlad A. Colar - Piccolo & Roxana Ardeleanu - Piano
C. Saint-Saëns - Le Cygne
G. Fauré - Morceau de Concours
Specifications for the Braun Piccolo- & Octave Flutes
Headjoint and body made of grenadilla wood
- Headjoint with "A.Braun" embouchure featuring a flat lip rest (not a reform embouchure!).
- 925 Sterling silver mechanism
- With split-E mechanism (standard fitment across the board)
- Proprietary “A. Braun” piccolo pads
Cleaning rod suitable for BRAUN piccolo- & octave flutes, with a larger tuning mark position of 8.5 mm
Wood
For all BRAUN woodwind instruments, we exclusively use carefully selected, long-seasoned, fine-grained and aesthetic African grenadilla (Dalbergia melanoxylon) with excellent acoustic properties.
DBGM 296 05 677.4
A. Braun Pads
These pads are made of moisture-resistant material with a coating on the side facing the tone hole. The coating consists of silicone rubber featuring a micro-structured surface. This structure resembles the surface texture of
the wooden bore, effectively dampening unwanted high frequencies.
The new pad design ensures:
- a quick, powerful, and clear response
- a particularly well-defined, beautiful sound
- a very comfortable feel when playing
- Reliability of the padding due to the moisture resistance and dimensional stability of the silicone rubber layer
- Long service life without readjustment
Special constructions
Special versions, such as instruments with an open G♯ key or other custom designs, can be planned and manufactured.
Pitch
Piccolos and octave flutes can be supplied with scales in the following pitches:
a'=
The respective fundamental pitch allows for effortless playing within a range of ± 2 Hz, depending on personal disposition.
Customisation
Any custom adjustment of the delivered instrument to the customer's individual playing style will be carried out within one year of purchase.
Accessories
The instrument is delivered in a high-quality leather case with a matching lined leather zippered case cover, a cleaning rod, and a silk cloth.
Leather case cover exclusive from PICARD ®
Made in Germany
