lefreQue Sound Bridge

[JButky]

"Yes, it's going to make the vibrations transfer more efficiently from the head joint to the flute body,"

And as we have stated, this is not desirable as it is a source of interference. You do not want to transfer mechanical vibrations, you want to damp them as they rob the air column vibration of energy.

As with most of these "innovations" Valgon rings, foster extensions, etc. They have all faded into oblivion once the novelty wears off. This lefreque is just the latest novelty.

[LAflutes]

My question to Joe B: Have you tried the Lefreque sound bridge on a flute? I was skeptical but auditioned many soundbridges in different materials. They definitely had an effect, and I found a set that enhanced my flute. The two highly skilled flutists in the room with me also tried many combinations and concurred there was an enhanced response and slight timbral change on my flute, and on a vintage Powell wood piccolo that was available to test. I am glad I was open to trying something new! BTW, I also selected the solid silver, rose gold plated version-

[pied_piper]

Well, I was recently on vacation in Florida and I took the opportunity to purchase two lefreQue clones while I was there. I got one from Disney Hollywood Studios and another from Universal studios. Both had cloning machines available and I chose very carefully. At Disney, I got the Bug's Life model. When I have to play a very difficult work, I mount this one on my flute and it keeps the bugs on the outside of my flute instead of in my performance. At Universal, I bought the Men in Black edition. I use that one when it's imperative that I give a performance that is out of this world.

These are the copper clad zinc models and at 51 cents each, this is the best investment I've ever made to improve my flute performance.

Disney Hollywood Studios (Medium).JPG (26.46 KiB) Viewed 8126 times

Universal Men in Black (Medium).JPG (27.08 KiB) Viewed 8126 times

MIB on flute (Small).JPG (22.88 KiB) Viewed 8126 times

[fluteguy18]

You know... acoustically speaking, I agree. It doesn't make sense whatsoever. But I was at a flute show recently and had the opportunity to listen in on a flute trial. It was a customer comparing their prospective pick against their current flute. I only did blind listening tests and there was a night and day difference between the flutes. I looked at them and noticed her personal flute had these contraptions on it. I asked her to take them off because it was an unfair comparison. I listened again and the difference the second time around was negligible. I had her put them back on, listened again, and one of them was strikingly better. So I turned around and said to her: 'I'll be damned."

I don't buy the acoustics gibberish they market with. It makes no sense whatsoever. But if I hadn't heard it with my own two ears, I'd still be in the doubter's camp. I've heard videos where there was no difference. But I've now heard examples where there was a distinct improvement. So do they work? Maybe yes, maybe no. My current personal opinion is that I don't really care. I just care that the flute in front of me on my bench leaves in the best possible playing condition that it's ever been.

[JButky]

My question to Joe B: Have you tried the Lefreque sound bridge on a flute?

I have tried every contraption under the sun...personally. I have experimented with my own created gadgets...personally. And I can explain what the cause of just about any and all changes and even why it seems to affect some people and not others.

There are certain similar effects which are manifested by a variety of different "gadgets" that come in many shapes, forms, and styles, but they are all based on the same related principle and NOT what any of the market materials or explanations are that are touted with each device...

They all eventually fall into oblivion (always have). This is just another variation on the same theme. Give it time and it will disappear just like all the others..

There is no substitute for picking a flute suited to you and then going home and practicing. THAT, is the only thing that improves your playing and your sound...particularly the latter.

But if you've got a lot of money to throw away, go right ahead. And if you really, really need that "crutch," you can make your own for dirt cheap. Or you can just go practice.

[faithfulflutes]

I have one and I know of a few people who have them too. When I first bought one I was extremely skeptical but I was so shocked once I started playing with one. I noticed that I could play much louder with one and my lower notes were much louder.