Flutes with curved head joints?

flautist blackie · Post by **flautist blackie** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 7:45 pm

I''ve been thinking about getting the
Armstrong model 104 which has a curved head joint from Ebay (yeah, i know,
it''s Ebay). Ebay is usually reliable, and some of my friends are happy with
the instrument''s they''ve bought at an auction. Does anyone know if the
curved headjoint will affect the playablility in any way? I know that it''s
for people who are just starting or who have short arms and i probably don''t
need one, but will the curved head joint serve any other purpose? I''m not
sure if they''re just for beginners, because i''ve never seen one played at
a concert. Please help within the next 18 hours before bidding ends.

embum79 · Post by **embum79** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 9:32 pm

I'm not *positive*, but I think the
curved headjoint is only to make the keys more reachable.. won't affect tone or
anything.. but like I said, I'm not completely positive. Alto flutes often come
with curved headjoints, and I don't think they sound any different than the
straight headjoints.

Cleartone · Post by **Cleartone** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 3:11 am

This particular flute is primarily for
kids who are just starting to play. If you are not short in stature I would
recommend you not get this flute, as there are better flutes for the same amount
of money. However if you want to do something different, go for it. Bass flutes
usually have curved head joints(not altos) to make it easier to reach the keys
when your mouth is on the head joint. a challenge with some larger
shakuhatchis

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 9:57 am

I was curious did you get the Armstrong
that you mentioned? I know that those curved headjoints are only meant for
creating an easier reach but it might be a neat thing to have. I posted about
the alto flute that I got to check out a couple of weeks ago. The curved
headjoint did not seem to affect the sound or tone in comparison to the straight
headjoint that it also came with. But it did seem to make it easier to handle
the size of the flute making it easier to play. Kim

flautist blackie · Post by **flautist blackie** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 2:01 pm

I'm 4'11. Is that short? I can manage
with a normal sized flute, but I'm interested in "different" flutes, alto
flutes, bass flutes, and piccolos. Thanks everyone! Bidding ends in 28 minutes.
I'll post then. Ok, I think I'll bid on this one.

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 3:26 pm

good luck,with the bidding I personally
consider 4'11" short, but thats only because I'm 5'11" (hate being tall) I
cant wait to hear how playing with a curved headjoint is for you

flautist blackie · Post by **flautist blackie** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 3:49 pm

Me either. but sadly, i lost it in the
last 30 seconds because my computer was really slow. better luck next time
though. Anyone know what's with the colored instruments? I just saw a purple
piccolo, a red flute, and a blue sax on Ebay.