b foot gizmo

angiepea · Post by **angiepea** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:56 am

Hi, i have just bought a b foot flute with gizmo, i can see how the gizmo helps on high c but i find the stretch down to it ( especially with my f finger in place for high c fingering) almost impossible, and quite painful. I don't see how this gizmo will help when playing faster music at the moment, unless you can tell me otherwise !!!!!!

will i get used to it ?? or shall i try to buy a c foot for my flute ??

angie

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 12:11 pm

Most people don't actually use the gizmo. On some flutes, it does make a marked difference in repsonse and intonation on C4, but for most, the difference is minimal, and they just don't use it due to awkward positioning. You can have the gizmo built so that it lies right at the end of the footjoint near the D# key, but this is usually an option only on custom made instruments. It's not the most useful of options unless you have a prolonged C4 (or higher, as it can help on a few other notes as well). In fact, I know James Galway has all of his flutes built with a B foot, but without a gizmo, because he never uses it. There's really no need to buy another footjoint, as the gizmo is not a necessary part of the fingering for C4, and not using it will likely have little affect, but if you are insistent upon using it, you will just need some time to get used to it, and the appropriate finger stretches to help avoid pain.

sherbert789 · Post by **sherbert789** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 12:29 pm

Just keep practicing your scales. I think using the gizmo is 100% necessary. If you don't use it, you get a fuzzy, out of tune high C. You can do it, I promise!! It just takes a little bit of getting used to.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 5:25 pm

sherbert789 wrote:Just keep practicing your scales. I think using the gizmo is 100% necessary. If you don't use it, you get a fuzzy, out of tune high C. You can do it, I promise!! It just takes a little bit of getting used to.

For some people (it really depends on the flutist and the flute), use of the gizmo does improve tone and intonation, as I mentioned above, but it is in no way 100% mandatory. If it were, it would be impossible to play a C4 on a B foot flute without it's use, which I (as well as many, many other flutists) can tell you firsthand is not the case. In fact, many flutes sound and respond better without it's use. Try it both ways with a tuner for intonation, though compensation is quite possible with the mouth/airstream, and see which way you prefer tonewise. I believe use of the gizmo, in most instances, brightens the sound, and as it is really not necessary for me or my flute pitchwise, I opt away from it, but you must decide for yourself.

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:05 pm

As you've gathered, it's a stretch for all of us to reach the gizmo key, and it really isn't that necessary. I only use it on prolonged high C's. Don't let it stop you from getting a B-foot.

angiepea · Post by **angiepea** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:02 am

thanks for all your comments

i can get top c now without any problems or the need for the b gizmo.

i find that the gizmo gets in the way when i play bottom c, so i am trying to modify my fingering down there and get it in a better position.

do you know if it is possible to have the gizmo removed ??

thanks again, angie xx

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:43 pm

One of my flutes does not have a gizmo. It was made that way. I wouldn't worry about having it removed. For one thing, it will decrease the value of your flute if you ever decide to sell it. It should not be an issue at all if you choose not to use it.

The answer to your question is yes, you can have it removed (by a good tech), but it is not at all necessary.