Headjoint to control dynamics

ncnan · Post by **ncnan** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:51 am

This is a great board so maybe y'all can give me some advice on headjoints.
I am having difficulty with upper notes on my Altus 807 flute. Would a different headjoint help? Lower range is great but I cannot play anything above a high D with any kind of dynamics except LOUD!

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:49 am

Dear ncnan,
I saw the specs for the Altus 807 and found that it has Sterling lip and raiser, which is IMHO a good configuration.
I'd give it a chance and find a way to workout a bit, so it becomes easier to reach the point where you could say "I ended all possibilities".

For my information, for how long have you played with this flute?

cheers,

Zevang

ncnan · Post by **ncnan** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:57 am

Actually I have only had this flute for a week..maybe that is not enough time to know for sure, although I have been playing every day for a good 2 hours.
Will a solid silver head make much difference?
Thanks!

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:00 pm

The material itself really makes very little difference. The cut of the head does, and even moreso, the player. If you've only had the flute for a short time (even if you have been practicing 2 hours a day), you're not going to be able to get everything out of it that you want right away. You have to adjust to it, and learn how to use it, as it is almost certainly different than what you were playing before. Playing into the 3rd octave quietly is a problem for lots of people, and if it was as simple to solve as going out and buying a new headjoint, a lot of people would be doing that. Even on a less than ideal flute (say, the most basic Gemeinhardt or Yamaha), it's quite possible to play the 3rd octave pp....You just have to adjust your air to do so. Keep playing the flute as is, and down the road, if you find the response, tonal color, etc... poor, then you might consider buying a different head. But first you need to learn to get the best out of what equipment you have now. Remember, a better flute does not make you a better player, nor will it solve all the challenges that exist for you without creating new ones.

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:55 pm

flutepicc06,

I couldn't agree more with you. You said it all.

ncnan, good luck in pursuing your goal. Somehow I feel you can reach that

Zevang

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:05 pm

I'm glad you agree with me, Zevang!

ncnan · Post by **ncnan** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:27 pm

Thanks for the advice, I will hang in there and work to get where I want to be!

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 8:26 pm

I agree with flutepicc06 as well. The material of the headjoint doesn't neccessarily determine the quality of the headjoint. The quality of craftsmanship does. I do however believe that the material sometimes changes the tone color (density of the metal changes how fast the vibrations travel through the material, thickness of the tube, and it depends on the player, etc.).

So, you can have an all plated head that plays just as well as a 14k gold head. They will just have different colors of sound. one isn't neccessarily better, just different.

I too agree that even though that you have been playing it a lot everday, it is still a new instrument to you. You don't know the instrument very well yet. I bought a new wood piccolo 4 months ago, and I have only recently ( a month or two ago) gotten to where I could completely control, and anticipate the response of the instrument. Give it time.

angiepea · Post by **angiepea** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:30 am

i bought a new headjoint for my flute as i felt i had discovered all the tones and colours my old one had to offer. the price difference between the two headjoints was quite dramatic and i felt i might have made a bit of a mistake as i couldn't get much out of the newer more expensive one. but that was only about a week into playing it!!!!! however, 6 weeks on we have both got used to each other and it's playing like a dream and i adore it. my advice is to give it time

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:26 pm

Every Altus 807 I have seen has been a very nice flute. I'm sure your headjoint is fine, you just need to practice your high register. The higher notes on the flute are difficult, we all have to work at it. Ask your teacher about this..

Usually when there are physical problems with flutes (leaks, etc) they are most noticeable in the lower register.

ncnan · Post by **ncnan** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:38 pm

I am trying a different flute on trial..Azumi 2000 with the Zcut headjoint and it is a world of difference from the Altus headjoint. Upper register is much cleaner, I am really happier with this one!
Thanks for all the advice, this is a great forum!

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:26 pm

I'm glad you've found something you like! Technically, the Z cut is an Altus headjoint (azumi is a division of Altus), just a new cut (different embouchure hole dimensions, over and undercutting, etc.), but very often it is just a matter of finding a head with a cut you like. Best of luck with the Azumi!

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