Headjoint Stopper/Cork Question

BlackSakura · Post by **BlackSakura** » Sat May 24, 2008 10:13 am

How far should the stopper be in/out? Also, I don't quite understand how or why this would be moved for tuning/tone purposes as opposed to moving the entire head joint. (I know you're not supposed to mess with the stopper.)

vampav8trix · Post by **vampav8trix** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:10 am

Your flute probably came with a metal, wood or plastic stick used for cleaning. On the end of the flute cleaning rod there is a line. Stick that end of the rod into the headjoint. The line should be in the center of the blowhole.

This is the correct position for the headjoint cork.

You are correct about the tuneing. You should pull out or push in the headjoint to tune the flute.

Try not to mess with the headjoint cork. It should be inspected by your tech annually. Over time they dry out and start leaking makeing it harder to get a good tone out of your flute.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:03 am

The position of the headjoint cork affects the overall scale and intonation of the flute. Typically, people play with the cork in the position that was previously described, but depending on your specific playing needs, the cork can be moved to help adjust your particular playing tendancies.