getting a new head joint only

314537 · Post by **314537** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:47 pm

I have a Miyazawa intermediate flute and I have had for four years now and am looking to upgrade my tone. We have been thinking about getting just a new head joint, but have run into some questions. My teacher says that getting just a new head joint can be hard because flutes come in all different sizes. How difficult is it to find a new head joint that fits my flute and sounds better than my old one? There are also butterfly mouth pieces. Are those better or worse than a regular mouth piece?

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:19 pm

Finding a headjoint to fit should not be hard at all. Also keep in mind that headjoints can be fitted to your flute after purchase. Upgrading a headjoint is a great way to improve the sound of your existing flute.

As for butterfly headjoints, opinions vary. As for being better overall, that is not necessarily true. Everyone plays differently. Try MANY headjoints, and you will most likely find some major differences.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:19 pm

Miyazawa flutes aren't intermediate. They are completely handmade professional grade instruments. But, it is common to upgrade a headjoint.

You shouldn't have any issues trying out headjoints. Most headjoints will fit your Miya. If it is a little bit loose, it can be fitted later. Just make sure you don't try to get a headjoint that is designed for a flute with a different bore size and flute scale (the Nagahara Full Concert model for example). But any maker or dealer will warn you if you try those headjoints out. And if you did want to try them, they wouldn't fit a standard flute.

314537 · Post by **314537** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:54 pm

Okay thanks for the help, and the info about the Miyazawa. I had no idea it was hand made.

sidekicker · Post by **sidekicker** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:03 am

If you will browse through our FAQs for this site, I wrote about this very subject. The advice given thus far is spot on. Often, matching a good flute with a much better head can have dramatically good consequences. Bear in mind, though, that (depending on what metals are used) the types of heads that will make this amount of difference will be expensive -- sometimes as much as a new flute. So you will need to weigh that in as well. However, I would highly recommend that you try as many heads on your flute as you possibly can and take your time doing it. Do not get caught up in brands; instead, get what enhances your individual playing style. And always, always, bring someone with you when you try them out. What you hear as a player may not be what actually comes out in your playing.

Good luck!

SK