Headjoint problems?

DarkPacific · Post by **DarkPacific** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 10:35 pm

I have an Artley 36-0 that I traced the serial number
on and found out it was made in 1978. I bought it from a little music shop that
had had it in the attic because it never sold, so it has the original headjoint.
I''ve had it for four years now and I''m starting to have problems I''ve
never had before. Lately music I use to be able to play is seeming more
difficult. The longer 16th note runs are missing it notes. I''ve been able to
play the same music in the past, but the flute doesn''t seem to have the same
receptiveness to the tongueing that it use to. I''m also having problems
jumping between the octaves that I use to not having any problems with. I can
hit the higher notes, but they waver between the upper and lower octaves. A
friend suggested that it could be the cut in my headjoint wearing out. She also
said that I could be out-growing my headjoint musically. I''ve never had
lessons, and don''t know much about the instrument in general, so I don''t
know what the problem is. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Flutar · Post by **Flutar** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 11:25 pm

Sounds like it maynot be your head joint at all.It
is common for pads to wear out after a number of years.This can cause many
problems you just described.If the air is leaking from a worn pad or a mal
ajustd key than it can force the tone up an octave. I used to have that problem
on bamboo flutes when they cracked so I switched to an armstrong concert flute
so I can have it easily repaired if I needed. Might be a good Idea to take your
flute to a music shop or technichan who knows how to change the pads and adjust
the keys. Good luck hope you get it fixed. [:)]

DarkPacific · Post by **DarkPacific** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 7:26 pm

Thanks, but I don't have problems with it pushing
up an octave. I can play the lower notes with ease, but when I play the upper
octaves the note tends to fall into the lower octave and then I have to struggle
to get it back into the 3rd octave.

damjan · Post by **damjan** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 6:48 am

It might be that the headjoint is wearing out. You
should take it to a repair shop to see what could be wrong and to at least get
it cleaned - flutes need this about once a year and it does make a difference.
Also, if your upper register notes tend to go down, maybe your lips are too
tight. Your lips need to be relaxed in this register and they need to come
closer to the outer wall of the lip-plate. Best of luck.

Flutar · Post by **Flutar** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 12:01 pm

I had the exact same problem with my armstong and i
had the keys adjusted and it solved the problem.Also your head joint could be
leaking air at the cork.The air stream gets interupted it cause all sorts of
problems.If you are playing the same you always did it is a mechanical
problem.

Flutar · Post by **Flutar** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 3:02 pm

I studied clarinet for 20 yrs. I had to switch to
flute bcause of the loss off teeth.Iv been making bensuris keenas and
shakuhachis for 5 years .The wearing of pads does the same thing on a flute it
does on clarinet . Controll of octave is nearly impossible if there is leakage
.If the leak is low on the fluteit will stay in low octive if leak is center or
higher on tube(flute }itbounces an octave up.I only isist to save you
frustration I went thru.Good luck.