One of the questions that has cropped up in Covid-19 conversations amongst flute players and their friends is — how safe are we? As we begin to learn more about this aerosol-borne virus, singers and wind instrument players — flutes, whistles and bagpipes included — are being seen in a new light. Could a wind musician potentially spread the virus more widely than other musicians?
We don’t yet know the answer, but for flutes and whistles, splitting the airway through the far edge of the embouchure or the fipple is how the sound is generated. Air also escapes at the tone holes and at the end of the instrument. How fast is the air and how far is the air projected? Studies are ongoing but this is what is understood at present.
- Choirs have spread the virus, but through social contact, not voice projection techniques according to this report in The Guardian newspaper.
- A study of airflow in instruments reported in Wired, suggests however that “the flute is like a catapult”. Not good news there.
There is still much to be understood and my gut feeling is that the majority of the concerns at the moment relate to the flute and not necessarily the whistle. One speculated thought on the Facebook group is that blowing across the embouchure with force and direction may be an issue. If so, there may be a solution that has the added benefit of being a wind shield AND tone reflector. It’s the Win-D-Fender developed in the USA and carried in a few places in Europe and across the world.
Personally, I hope some additional thought goes into the name and the colour options as it seems functional and clinical (although in a world of PPE and face masks, maybe that is less of an issue). So here are a couple of videos endorsing the product (caveat: I’ve no idea if this works on wooden flutes).
Relating this to sessions, if this is helpful, then the airflow coming from out of the flute may then be the big issue. Sessions are often sight spaces and flutes tend to need more room than others. In a session with increased distancing, that may be a bigger issue. On the other hand, whistles are more self-contained and that may be an advantage.
Finally, on a more upbeat note, my own Lockdown tunes project on YouTube continues. Mostly Scottish repertoire, but not entirely. I hope you enjoy them.
It’s great to see all this discussion, and to see the situation being taken seriously. But you can only transmit the virus if you have it, so don’t get it and you’ll be fine. Wash your hands, wear your face covering, keep your distance, and just generally behave yourself, and you’ll enjoy your tunes. One third of one percent of Scotland’s population has tested positive for this virus. Today’s estimate is that less than 5% have been sufficiently exposed to it to develop antibodies. It can be bad if you get it. But if you take steps to avoid getting it, you probably won’t.
Thanks for the comments and positive thoughts Dougie. I hope all is well with you. To my mind, it is all dependent upon how the public and government manage their respective roles in terms of policy and implementation. The understanding of the virus is still evolving too and advice will change accordingly. As you say, do what is asked of us and if we end up with close to Zero cases, as seems to be the policy in Scotland, then hopefully a more positive scenario will become possible. Here’s hoping.
Does anyone have a Mask pattern for a Flute player?
Hi Priscilla, I’m not aware of any at the moment. The Win-D-Fender might possibly screen water droplets away from others, but as it wasn’t designed for that purpose, nobody knows if it is an effective solution.
I have seen an improvised visor with cutaway sides to allow the flute to be positioned, but again, this is just an idea and ideally visors should be work with a mask for effectiveness anyway.
Flute player Shannon Heaton has tried a neckerchief mask adapted to be loose and allow an instrument to be played. Google “scarf face mask pattern” for an idea how that might look.
Nobody knows yet, but lots of people are trying out ideas.
I found this one earlier: https://shannonheatonmusic.com/lisas-flute-mask/