Instruments 2

A favorite instrument in Robert's performances is the baroque flute. It is another antique, made by Cramer&Co. of London c.1790. Made of boxwood, it has a rich tone and is a pleasure to hear. The flute has only one key made of brass; these flutes achieved sharps and flats by a series of "cross fingerings".

Go To Instruments 3

The whistle is a familiar sound to traditional Irish music, but the metal body was not introduced until the 1800s. Prior to that there were shepard's pipes made of wood, tabor (small drum) and pipes popular with Morris dancers and the French flageolet. This whistle had four holes in the front and was first used to train canaries to sing. It became popular for playing melodies, and in 1803 William Bainbridge of London, placed all six holes on the front and invented the English flageolet. Robert Clarke later made them from tin, and this is the familiar shape of today. My flageolet is box wood and ivory, c.1860.

A fascinating instrument added to Robert's performances is this wonderful wire-strung guittar which he recently restored. The body is English sycamore and the fingerboard is overlaid with red tortoise shell and ivory.Two of the tortoise pieces, four brass frets and the gilt rose had to be replaced. Now called an English or Scottish guitar or guittar, this piece is attributed to John Preston c. 1770. There are no tuning pegs; the strings are attached to a device of Preston's own invention. Each string loops around a hook which is moved by turning a watch key placed on a bolt at the top of the neck. The guittar was a favorite parlor instrument amongst the wealthy, particularly the ladies. It was thought to have come to the British Isles in the early 18th century with the first Hanoverian court. It is a member of the cittern family.