general flute question

woof · Post by **woof** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:10 am

As someone new to flutes I was curious about the
following: 1. B foot. My flute came with a C foot. What advantages are there to
the B foot beside the lower B note and is it as hard to play a low B as it is to
play a low C? 2. Can any flute accept a B foot or does the flute have to be
designed for that foot? 3. If you had to pick a single factor that makes the
most difference in quality of sound ( beside a skilled player) would it be a
high quality head joint, body, or foot joint? i.e. would a platinum head joint
make an silver plate body sound really great or a platinum body with an ordinary
head joint--- etc. Just curious.

krichards · Post by **krichards** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:45 am

Hi, When I replaced my (very) old flute a few
years ago, I purchased one with a B foot. I didn't set out to get a B foot
necessarily, but the flute I chose for a number of other reasons came with it. I
am by no means an expert on flutes or B feet (foots? [:p]), but to be honest,
I've only come across the low B in flute sheet music a few times. I don't know
of any other advantage that comes with a straight B foot, so you could probably
live without it. For me, playing the low B is no different than the low C. I've
been playing for some time though, so I don't struggle with either. I read in
another post that you just picked up the flute before Christmas...give it
time...it's tough, but the low C will come! As for tone quality, other than
what you and a lot of practice can bring to the flute, I would say that the head
joint is the most important element of the flute…the higher the silver content,
the better…solid silver being better than silver plate. And platinum and gold,
if you’ve got the bucks, would be even better! However, I still believe that
your own talent and practice will have a more profound impact on your tone. Good
luck with your new adventures in fluting!

woof · Post by **woof** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 3:47 pm

Thanks for the response KR. Now for another
question- much discussion seems centered around open hole vs closed hole flutes.
I understand why open holed flutes are more difficult to play but what are the
advantages of an open holed (French) flute? Is it just volume, or tone
quality??? Are they easier or more difficult to play- outside of having to cover
the holes with your fingers?

MvAuMsPrInCeSs06 · Post by **MvAuMsPrInCeSs06** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 5:33 pm

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTIPS ON WRITING MUSIC IN
MINOR KEYS?

Goddess of Flute · Post by **Goddess of Flute** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 11:24 pm

I blelieve that open holes increase the tone
quality greatly. As for the advantage to open hole...it forces better hand
posture and also makes glissando's easier.

woof · Post by **woof** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:37 am

Thanks all for the replys now for the other part
of the question; can a B foot fit on any flute? i.e. does one simply order a B
foot and slip it on where the C foot is now or are B "footed" flutes different
from those with C "foots/feet(?)". [:bigsmile:]

krichards · Post by **krichards** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 12:36 pm

I would imagine that C and B feet are
interchangeble, but certainly check with someone in the know if you're
considering this, especially if the B foot is from a different manufacturer than
the rest of your flute.

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 5:26 pm

The body of the flute isn't built any
differently if it has a B or C foot. However different manufacturers and even
different models/years in mfg lines have different size/thickness of tubes. So
make sure if you buy an additional foot it fits your flute body.

woof · Post by **woof** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:07 am

[quote] ---------------- On 2/10/2004 5:26:49 PM
The body of the flute isn't built any differently if it has a B or C foot.
However different manufacturers and even different models/years in mfg lines
have different size/thickness of tubes. So make sure if you buy an additional
foot it fits your flute body. ---------------- [/quote] Thanks again for the
info. I assume it is the same for different head joints? Based on what I have
read the head joint is the most important part of the instrument in making a
good sound- outside the talents of the player? None of the head joints I have
seen on the web give diameters/sizes or compatability indications so how do you
know they will fit?

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:05 pm

I hope someone has an answer for you on this
question. I was going to come and post the exact same question. Kim [/quote]
Thanks again for the info. I assume it is the same for different head joints?
Based on what I have read the head joint is the most important part of the
instrument in making a good sound- outside the talents of the player? None of
the head joints I have seen on the web give diameters/sizes or compatability
indications so how do you know they will fit? ---------------- [/quote]

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:37 pm

The age of the flute has an affect on what hj
will fit too and yes the headjoints vary by mfg and wall thickness etc so one
mfg headjoint may or may not fit another mfg flute Often if the hj is too small,
teflon tape is used to make it fit at least as a temp solution. Changing the
size is fairly simple for a quality repairman. Yes it would be nice if the
information on dia were more available to the average player. At flute fairs and
the NFA you will see companies that specialize in headjoints have many different
sizes to fit different flutes. Then there is also hand made heads that vary
enough that even the same manufacturer may need to adjust the hj if you dont
like another hj better than the one that comes the flute hope that helps a
little

woof · Post by **woof** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 1:54 pm

Good info thanks-- flutediddy

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 6:03 pm

The B foot allows you to play low B and improves
high C (using the gizmo key). Also, having the B foot apparently gives the flute
more "resistance" which many people like, but some don't. (For instance, Rampal
preferred the C foot.) The fit of the footjoint has nothing to do with whether
it is a B or C footjoint, just the tubing sizes. As for what factor effects
sound quality besides a skilled player, I would have to say that the skill of
the player is most important. [:)] But seriously, the headjoint creates the
sound so it has everything to do with the creating of the tone and the response
of the instrument. The most important job of the flute body is to close the
holes without leaks, work smoothly and silently, etc... The body is basically
plumbing, the headjoint creates sound. -Bradford

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 9:52 pm

The most important job of the flute body is to
close the holes without leaks, work smoothly and silently, etc... The body is
basically plumbing, the headjoint creates sound. When you get deeper into
playing you will find those statements are not accurate.

SaraBeth · Post by **SaraBeth** » Mon May 31, 2004 8:10 pm

Yes, C and B foots are interchangeable, but only
if they are the same brand as your flute. I tend to do this all the time with my
Armstrongs.