Problem playing with curved headjoint..???

[rhianablue]

i am an extremely advanced player,and had my flute stolen in a break-in. For xmas-a good friend bought me one i saw at a pawnshop. It had a straight headjoint-which is what learned on.it also has 2 pieces that make a curved headjoint,.i played it when I got home with the straight headjoint-it played well-even though im rusty and had no flute 2 years. then I tried the curved headjoint.It played,barely. It was extremely airy and soft sounding.I played on a curvred one years back-it was easy. can anyone think of the problem with the curved headjoint.i know its just vanity-but I want to play the curved piece because it looks nice.Any suggestions very much appreciated!

peace
sandi

[fluttiegurl]

It is possible that either the cork needs to be replaced (which I would recommend having done anyway) or the solder that holds the lip plate on has worked loose or has a hole in it.

[rhianablue]

hmm-i have a flute repair kit-maybe i can fix it. There is no music store of any kind in this town. So, theres def no repair shop..How can i pinpoint which is the problem?ive looked at it from every angle. I saw nothing wrong..hmmm.My sister is coming to town with her boyfriend on new years eve day, and I want to be able to play something for her-the curved headjoint would be icing on the cake,ya know?(my flute was stolen the same week my mom died of a medical error-flute was a bond with mom,she loved to hear me play-sister would be happy to see me playing again-its uber important:)

peace

[fluttiegurl]

If the cork needs to be replaced, it would most likely move. Unfortunately, neither problem id an easy fix it yourself job. I would play on the other headjoint and look into getting it fixed correctly, or at least finding out what is wrong later on.

[rhianablue]

Do you mean the cork in the headjoint?That was checked for any visible problems, and it doesnt seem to move. I looked at the lip plate(with magnifying glass and a light made for delicate flute repair), I dont see anything abnormal-but i did notice 1 thing.
The curved head joint is resting litely against the rods that have the keys on them.
I dont know if im placing it wrong-im just making sure the lip plate is placed exactly the same as the straight headjoint.is there a different way I should align headjoint?When I changed the position on it, i still got that airy lack of sound.Any thoughts about placement?

thank you
sandra green

[Zevang]

Maybe some photos would help.

[rhianablue]

heres an image of one like mine-im mid moving,so my webcam is packed.Mine has open hole but has the 'cheaters'as i call them,so it works like a closed hole.this page has one like mine,mine is a gemeinhardt

[/url]http://www.ferrismusic.co.uk/woodwind/f ... head-joint
but i am anxious to play the curved joint!!its cool even hoe it feels to hold it.I wont use it when houston symphony has auditions:)

i cannot figure this out-it may be moot-my family's late x mas will be awkward this year(i have a spolied nephew throwin a temper fit bout me movin into family home,lol)

does that help?

[fluttiegurl]

I think what Zevang meant was pics of the actual flute. Without actually seeing the assembled flute, it is nearly impossible to diagnose the problem. However, if the headjoint is resting on one of the rods, it will most likely cause issues. As for placement, the lip plate will most likely work best if it is slightly above the flute. That is how I assemble my alto in order to avoid problems.

[rhianablue]

my cam is packed,been packin 4 a week,so couldnt show actual flute.But it wouldnt tell u much i fi had posted some.What u see in pic is what u see in mine. I tried a lil experiment with rods being against headjoint. I had a friend carefully hold rod saway from headjoint-no change in anyway-it shouldve changed it a little,even if it sounded worse..

[Zevang]

In this case, let's go for the classical solution.

I think you might take this flute to a good technician for an overall revision. It doesn't mean it's necessary to overhaul this flute, but a good C.O.A. could detect minor problems that would not appear so easily under our non technical looks.

[pied_piper]

Do you mean the cork in the headjoint?That was checked for any visible problems, and it doesnt seem to move.

A headjoint cork can look perfect and still leak. A leak test is needed to be sure. Also, if the curved headjoint moves/turns when you play and will not stay where you position it, one of the tenon joints may be too loose and leaking air.

As others have suggested, have a flute technician check it.

[JButky]

You can check to see if the headjoint itself has a fatal leak quite simply..

Test each section of the curved head separately..

Wet you palm, Place the large end on you wet palm. Suck the air out of the head through the embouchure hole. If it doesn't hold a seal perfectly, then it has a leak somewhere. Do the same with the curved section and then do the same with the two pieces together. That will help you isolate exactly where the leak is.

There are many other ways to do a quick check, but this should help you identify whether or not there actually is a leak and in which section.