upgrading the head joint

[sinebar]

Will a better head joint make make my Yamaha 381 sound better?

[fluttiegurl]

That depends. Is the flute mechanically sound? Have it checked out by a tech to see that there are no leaks and that the pads are good. If the flute is not in good condition, a headjoint change will matter little.

A better designed headjoint should make nearly any flute sound better if it is a good match to the player, the match being key. Try many. Even try several of the same model if possible because they are not all cut the same. If you are wanting a serious upgrade, try hand cut or hand made headjoints. They are not cheap, but are cost effective when you compare to the price of a handmade flute.

[sinebar]

That depends. Is the flute mechanically sound? Have it checked out by a tech to see that there are no leaks and that the pads are good. If the flute is not in good condition, a headjoint change will matter little.

A better designed headjoint should make nearly any flute sound better if it is a good match to the player, the match being key. Try many. Even try several of the same model if possible because they are not all cut the same. If you are wanting a serious upgrade, try hand cut or hand made headjoints. They are not cheap, but are cost effective when you compare to the price of a handmade flute.

Thanks for the advice. Yes the flute is in good shape but I would like pro level sound and if upgrading the head joint would do it, or at least come close, without buying a pro level flute, then that would be great.

[flutepicc06]

Sinebar, am I correct that you just started playing about 6 months ago? (I seem to remember when you first came here) If so, a professional headjoint will make little difference, but solid, focused tone work will. Yamaha 381's are very solid intermediate flutes (a good step up from what most people are playing after 6 months), but a better instrument won't automatically make you play better. Your money (in my opinion) would be much better spent on lessons with a good teacher than on upgrades to the flute (at least at this point). I can tell you that I played a Yamaha 221 for 4 years before I stepped up (to a Yamaha 581), and it served me quite well for that entire run. You'll get a pro level sound if you work for it, but simply buying "better" (which flutists tend to associate with "more expensive") upgrades won't get you there. Not to mention that professional instruments are actually more difficult to play well (or require more precision, I should say) than student instruments, and after 7 months, you probably aren't to the level to be able to make good use of a pro flute.

[sinebar]

Sinebar, am I correct that you just started playing about 6 months ago? (I seem to remember when you first came here) If so, a professional headjoint will make little difference, but solid, focused tone work will. Yamaha 381's are very solid intermediate flutes (a good step up from what most people are playing after 6 months), but a better instrument won't automatically make you play better. Your money (in my opinion) would be much better spent on lessons with a good teacher than on upgrades to the flute (at least at this point). I can tell you that I played a Yamaha 221 for 4 years before I stepped up (to a Yamaha 581), and it served me quite well for that entire run. You'll get a pro level sound if you work for it, but simply buying "better" (which flutists tend to associate with "more expensive") upgrades won't get you there. Not to mention that professional instruments are actually more difficult to play well (or require more precision, I should say) than student instruments, and after 7 months, you probably aren't to the level to be able to make good use of a pro flute.

Unfortunately you are probably right. Well actually it might be better that you are right because then I could sell the Yamaha 881 I just bought off ebay. I mean there is no point in keeping an expensive flute if can't make it sound any better than my 381, or if it is no easier to play. The 881 is in the shop being adjusted and a few minor repairs being done so I haven't even played it yet. I'm anxious to see how it performs when the tech is done with it.

[atoriphile]

If you can afford it, why not keep the 881 (assuming it is in good condition) and sell the 381? It really depends on how far you are planning to go with the flute. Do you sound worse on the 881? If not, then I say keep the 881 and sell the 381.

Good luck!

[john101]

Sinebar,

Your really going about buying a flute the wrong way. It's not about the getting the best deal. It's a delicate marriage between the player, the players level and the instrument. Thats why there's places like Fluteworld and Weissmans that carry big inventories of very expensive conservatory quality flutes. You have to try them out to find the best fit.

However, at your level a Yamaha 381 (assuming it's in good working order) is most appropriate. Honestly, it will take several years of serious music instruction for you to appreciate an instrument costing several thousand dollars. I would sell it and save that money for a new flute a few years from now.

John

[flutepicc06]

I have to agree with you, John. After only 6 months of playing, it's impossible to know how well any pro-level flute will suit you in a few years, as your playing is still developing and changing quite a lot. It's great that you found such a great price on an 881, but the main point of having such an expensive instrument is to find one that meshes well with you and your playing. In a few years, once your skill level has stabilized somewhat, you may find that you need a different flute, or a new headjoint, but at this point, that 381 that you have should do just fine. I agree that you would probably be better off selling the 881 and using the money down the road to buy a flute that will fit you and allow you to reach your highest potential once you know what you really need in an instrument.

[fluttiegurl]

I personally see no harm in keeping the 881 if you like the sound and can manage playing a flute of this caliber. I have a friend who started (as a young beginner) on a Haynes because it is what he had available. Later on, he did change to a diffrent flute (Muramatsu I believe) because he understood the fact that the Haynes was not exactly the sound he was going for. I don't believe that having the handmade flute hindered him in any way, but he was not expecting instant gratification either. He worked (and still works) very hard at playing with many long hours of practice and is now a top grad student at a major conservatory. If you like the flute and are able to produce a great focused sound, I see no problem with keeping the more expensive flute as long as you take care of it and are willing to accept the fact that it may not be a match for a lifetime. I agree that 6 months is not long enough to establish what you want to sound like in several years, but heck, after playing nearly 20 years, I had a drastic change in style and opted for a different handmade flute after buying what I thought was my dream flute a few years earlier. It is a constant growing and learning process.

On the other side of the issue, I do believe that you may have jumped the gun when buying this lfute. I would never recommend making such a huge investment in this way or even after playing for only six months (which I did not realize initially - my mistake). I can't necessarily say that one is better for you now without actually watching/hearing you play. You will have to make that decission based on what you feel and hear when you play.

If you find that the 881 is more difficult to control, keeping the 381 would be your best choice for now. Fortunately, these flutes have a fairly high resale value and maintain much of their value over time. If you don't need to make the money back, keeping both for a time is certainly an option, even if you choose to play the 381. Later on, you can play others and decide if the 881 is right for you. If not, you can sell it then, assuming that it has been kept safe, clean and dry (insurance is also a good idea). Depending on what you paid, it may be worth your investment down the road. I know that if I sold something now, the money would not be there for me later on

Over the years I have made some discoveries about students and their development as pertaining to a flute . . but more on that in another post as I feel like I am rambling again

[fluttiegurl]

I should clarify my last statement. My point was that many students jump the gun when upgrading only to find that with a little more work and some patience, what they had would have worked just fine. Also, always remember that it is not the equipment, it is the player who makes the difference. With a lot of practice and proper guidance, it would be nearly impossible for any player (at most any level) to keep the same flute forever and be completely happy with it. If I changed flutes every time something did not work just right or when it got difficult, I know I would probably have bought a new flute every week for many years.

[sinebar]

I personally see no harm in keeping the 881 if you like the sound and can manage playing a flute of this caliber. I have a friend who started (as a young beginner) on a Haynes because it is what he had available. Later on, he did change to a diffrent flute (Muramatsu I believe) because he understood the fact that the Haynes was not exactly the sound he was going for. I don't believe that having the handmade flute hindered him in any way, but he was not expecting instant gratification either. He worked (and still works) very hard at playing with many long hours of practice and is now a top grad student at a major conservatory. If you like the flute and are able to produce a great focused sound, I see no problem with keeping the more expensive flute as long as you take care of it and are willing to accept the fact that it may not be a match for a lifetime. I agree that 6 months is not long enough to establish what you want to sound like in several years, but heck, after playing nearly 20 years, I had a drastic change in style and opted for a different handmade flute after buying what I thought was my dream flute a few years earlier. It is a constant growing and learning process.

On the other side of the issue, I do believe that you may have jumped the gun when buying this lfute. I would never recommend making such a huge investment in this way or even after playing for only six months (which I did not realize initially - my mistake). I can't necessarily say that one is better for you now without actually watching/hearing you play. You will have to make that decission based on what you feel and hear when you play.

If you find that the 881 is more difficult to control, keeping the 381 would be your best choice for now. Fortunately, these flutes have a fairly high resale value and maintain much of their value over time. If you don't need to make the money back, keeping both for a time is certainly an option, even if you choose to play the 381. Later on, you can play others and decide if the 881 is right for you. If not, you can sell it then, assuming that it has been kept safe, clean and dry (insurance is also a good idea). Depending on what you paid, it may be worth your investment down the road. I know that if I sold something now, the money would not be there for me later on

Over the years I have made some discoveries about students and their development as pertaining to a flute . . but more on that in another post as I feel like I am rambling again

Well thanks for all the good advice everyone. I will have to play the 881 for a while to see how I like it. I'm certainly not going to play it just because it's a pro flute. If I don't like it I will sell it and keep playing my 381.

[Mark]

Well thanks for all the good advice everyone. I will have to play the 881 for a while to see how I like it. I'm certainly not going to play it just because it's a pro flute. If I don't like it I will sell it and keep playing my 381.

and THAT, sinebar is the correct track to take. see if you like what you
can do with the 881, and if you like it better, or the same as the 381, keep
it and grow into it. Should you have to change later that's okay since if you
take care of it you can sell the 881 at that time if you need to. Or you can
keep it even then for a backup flute.

Never leave home without a backup..
hmm...
that's another post for another thread though.

[Phineas]

Sinebar

There are a lot of players that are passionate about their instruments, to the point that they will give them names, and talk to them. In the end, all an instrument is a tool. In the world of tools, tools have a limited life. They can get damaged, better tools come out, they wear out, etc... This is the reason why I do not get too attached to an instrument, no matter how much a pay for it. WHY, cause if the economics allow, this flute will less than likely be your last. I have known people with 10000USD instruments that after a while sold them to get something else. There is no shame in playing on something for a while, improving you skills, then getting something else.

I get a new instrument almost every year for one reason or another. Some people may frown on that, but there are some benefits to being versatile. At one time I had 12 Flutes! Now I am down to 3 and a Pic

Pearl Quantz 665
Buffet International Model / Wood Headjoint
Miyazawa Legacy 1E
Armstrong 210

I just recently gave my Yamaha 514 to a special friend of mine. I am still VERY fond of it though, and may get another one when I make my next trip to Japan

Just some supporting words I thought were neccessary.

Phineas

[sinebar]

Sinebar

There are a lot of players that are passionate about their instruments, to the point that they will give them names, and talk to them. In the end, all an instrument is a tool. In the world of tools, tools have a limited life. They can get damaged, better tools come out, they wear out, etc... This is the reason why I do not get too attached to an instrument, no matter how much a pay for it. WHY, cause if the economics allow, this flute will less than likely be your last. I have known people with 10000USD instruments that after a while sold them to get something else. There is no shame in playing on something for a while, improving you skills, then getting something else.

I get a new instrument almost every year for one reason or another. Some people may frown on that, but there are some benefits to being versatile. At one time I had 12 Flutes! Now I am down to 3 and a Pic

Pearl Quantz 665
Buffet International Model / Wood Headjoint
Miyazawa Legacy 1E
Armstrong 210

I just recently gave my Yamaha 514 to a special friend of mine. I am still VERY fond of it though, and may get another one when I make my next trip to Japan

Just some supporting words I thought were neccessary.

Phineas

Thanks Phineas, BTW I think James Galway has at least 16 flutes. You have probably seen his you tube video of him playing all 16 in a row. That's a lot of futes.

[flutepicc06]

Sinebar

There are a lot of players that are passionate about their instruments, to the point that they will give them names, and talk to them. In the end, all an instrument is a tool. In the world of tools, tools have a limited life. They can get damaged, better tools come out, they wear out, etc... This is the reason why I do not get too attached to an instrument, no matter how much a pay for it. WHY, cause if the economics allow, this flute will less than likely be your last. I have known people with 10000USD instruments that after a while sold them to get something else. There is no shame in playing on something for a while, improving you skills, then getting something else.

I get a new instrument almost every year for one reason or another. Some people may frown on that, but there are some benefits to being versatile. At one time I had 12 Flutes! Now I am down to 3 and a Pic

Pearl Quantz 665
Buffet International Model / Wood Headjoint
Miyazawa Legacy 1E
Armstrong 210

I just recently gave my Yamaha 514 to a special friend of mine. I am still VERY fond of it though, and may get another one when I make my next trip to Japan

Just some supporting words I thought were neccessary.

Phineas

Thanks Phineas, BTW I think James Galway has at least 16 flutes. You have probably seen his you tube video of him playing all 16 in a row. That's a lot of futes.

I've conversed briefly with Sir James, and I would say he has significantly more than 16 flutes at this point. He indicated that he has a wall in his home set with drawers, and in each drawer is a different flute. My guess would be at least somewhere around 30-40 flutes.