A Linear Chromatic Flute

[s11141827]

This instrument right here is a Jim Schmidt Linear Chromatic Flute which is distinct from a Regular Flute because it uses the Linear Chromatic Fingering System (a simplified Version of the Boehm Fingering System) that allows it to play in all 12 Keys w/ simpler fingerings that anyone can memorize. This Flute also has an Octave Key (or Speaker Key as Jim Schmidt calls it) & this Fingering system makes it easier to learn, but it can still play the traditional Flute Repertoire. This goes down to Low B but he's working on a version that can play lower than that down to Low Bb, & maybe even Low G.

 

[pete]

Flutes with Linear Fingering System

The logic behind my fingering system is straightforward. One note follows the next chromatic note by closing down the next key with the next finger of your hand, and so on down the line…

jsengineering.net

I'm going to say these have been around for about 20 years. Please correct me if I'm wrong. It just feels like I've seen them for a long time.

I don't know anyone that owns one of these or one of his saxophones. On the sax side, it looks like he's switched from making just a C tenor to a Bb tenor and Eb alto. Again, correct me if I'm wrong.

There have been dozens of new fingering systems. My opinion is that if the new system takes too long to learn and/or adds significant cost to the instrument, people will rarely buy them. That's not to say that I wouldn't mind someone sending me a Loomis or Leblanc Rationale sax ...

 

[s11141827]

Flutes with Linear Fingering System

The logic behind my fingering system is straightforward. One note follows the next chromatic note by closing down the next key with the next finger of your hand, and so on down the line…

jsengineering.net

I'm going to say these have been around for about 20 years. Please correct me if I'm wrong. It just feels like I've seen them for a long time.

I don't know anyone that owns one of these or one of his saxophones. On the sax side, it looks like he's switched from making just a C tenor to a Bb tenor and Eb alto. Again, correct me if I'm wrong.

There have been dozens of new fingering systems. My opinion is that if the new system takes too long to learn and/or adds significant cost to the instrument, people will rarely buy them. That's not to say that I wouldn't mind someone sending me a Loomis or Leblanc Rationale sax ...

He might make the C Tenor Sax again one day. This System only takes a few seconds to learn because it's based on the Chromatic Scale so you just count your fingers as you go lower. This is a new type of system that came out recently.