Effects of B Foot Joint on Hitting 4th Octave C

[collie]

I recently asked a more advanced flutist than I why I had no problem playing high C in high school, and now I really struggle with it--even though I have been playing six years. I have to hit the gizmo key to get it out clearly. She told me that the difference is that when I was in high school, I had a C foot joint. Now I have a B foot joint. She said that most people cannot play high C clearly on a B foot joint without hitting the gizmo key. I play in our local wind band. I had never heard this before. Obviously, we rarely need to play high C in band, and by the time I reach for the gizmo key, I'm too late. What I am wondering is, would it help to also have a C foot joint so that I could put it on in those cases where I would need to hit high C? I have an opportunity to buy one that would fit my flute very inexpensively, and I'm wondering if I should go for it? Thank you!

[pied_piper]

I guess it is really your choice whether you want a C footjoint in addition to your B footjoint. In my case, I never developed my 4th octave until after I got a flute with a B bootjoint, so it was not a problem for me because I learned 4th octave C using the gizmo. Of course, on my piccolo, there is no low B and no gizmo, so I have to use the other fingering there.

Frankly, rather than spending money for a C footjoint (just because of 4th octave C) my suggestion would be to practice playing the 4th octave C with the gizmo. After all, what would you do if you had to play a piece of music that had both a low B and 4th octave C?

[collie]

Thanks, pied_piper. I can hit 4th octave C with the gizmo key, but I thought the problem was me because I had no problems hitting that note with a C foot in high school. Now, I have to use the gizmo key to get it. I'm just glad the problem isn't my age. I thought it was just my getting older that made the difference. Then someone mentioned the difference between the two footjoints.