The Thumpy flute
Thumpy© the thumb flute is a relatively simple instrument with a surprisingly natural sound. The Thumpy flute is most suitable as a beginners flute for those who want to learn to play (Boehm)-flute. But it is also a challenging and enjoyable flute for advanced flutists who want to enhance their tone and embouchure flexibility or develop their circular breathing. The focus is on the essence of the flute-playing: the flute sound and the blowing. The Thumpy is available in three models: the Junior, the Classic and the Classic Pro, which are described below. The Quick Start explains how to play the basic sounds, as well as various harmonics. Furthermore, you will find a section about imitating Bird Songs, an extended Guidance with additional information and the Studio E Online Shop, where Thumpy flutes can be ordered online.
This Thumpy flute was designed and developed by the Dutch flutist and composer Wil Offermans for Studio E Music Creation in Granada, Spain, and is also manufactured by him. The Thumpy Book by Wil Offermans is published by Musikverlag Zimmermann.
Playing flute: Start with Thumpy!
Thumpy offers an excellent experience in learning to play a first flute sound, before moving on to the Boehm-flute. Since Thumpy is an unconventional and non-chromatic instrument, its simplicity is demanding a musical sense which will help to naturally develop the embouchure and the breathing. Here the blowing is directly connected with a musical result. From the first practice - and without the usual stress of holding the flute and placing the fingers - we can focus to shape the sound. Once a kid moves on to the (Boehm)-flute, the experience with the Thumpy flute will contribute to a better sound and a relaxed and flexible performance.
The five basic sounds
Thumpy vs. Flute Headjoint
Traditionally the flute headjoint is used to learn to play a first flute sound. However when using Thumpy we will extend the fundamental learning with creativity, as Thumpy has many advantages compared to the flute headjoint:
a real instrument | few musical identity | ||
strong and easy to carry around | fragile to carry around | ||
five clear basic notes and more | only few pitches | ||
Thumpy Book, bird songs, solo, duo, ensemble, theatrical, improvisation, creativity | no repertoire available | ||
exciting for the advanced flutist | not really attractive for the advanced flutist | ||
results in a relaxed and flexible flute sound | results in a more tense flute sound | ||
blowing produces a musical flute sound | blowing produces a technical flute sound |
Feedback by Flute Teachers
Thumpy Models
There are three different models of the Thumpy flute: the Junior, the Classic and the Classic Pro.
The Thumpy Book
The Thumpy Book by Wil Offermans is published by Musikverlag Zimmermann (ZM34230) and available at your local music store. The book introduces the Thumpy flute and its technique in 75 progressive solo and duo pieces with explanations in English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch and Japanese. Here below you can listen to some sound samples from the Thumpy Book. Thumpy is also recorded on these CD's by Wil Offermans: The Magic Flute and Luna y Sierra.
Audio Samples
- 11: The Three Basic Notes11: De Drie Basisnoten11: Die drei grundlegenden Noten11: Les 3 Notes de Base11: Las tres Notas Básicas11: 基本の3音
- 13: The Three Basic Notes (Duo)13: De Drie Basisnoten (Duo)13: Die drei grundlegenden Noten (Duo)13: Les 3 Notes de Base (duo)13: Las tres Notas Básicas (Dúo)13: 基本の3音によるデュエット
- 25: The Five Basic Notes25: De Vijf Basisnoten25: Die fünf grundlegenden Noten25: Les 5 Notes de Base25: Las cinco Notas Básicas25: 基本の5音
- 72: Ancient Song (Duo)72: Ancient Song (Duo)72: Ancient Song (Duo)72: Ancient Song (Duo)72: Ancient Song (Duo)72: アンシエント・ソング(デュエット)
- 75: Chinoiserie75: Chinoiserie75: Chinoiserie75: Chinoiserie75: Chinoiserie75: シノワゼリ