Subscribe RSSWhat is more important in producing a good tone with the flute: the headjoint or the body?
Q: I'm looking to upgrade my student Gemeinhardt flute, preferably to a different brand. But since flutes are so darn expensive I was thinking about just replacing the headjoint. What are some good brands/models?
Btw, I am a serious student, thinking about studying in college.
A: if you wanna continue in college i will rather get a better flute because a studnet gemeinhardt won't get you anywhere...but yes the headjoint affects 65%+ of your sound/tone so headjoint is very important that's why they have different risers, but also body is important not because of the material, it is because of the responsiveness, handmade body has very accurate key position and stuff like that so.......i know some people use intermediate flute for college which is fine because it has a handmade headjoint but a student flute just don't really work....because it is very hard to control your tone color and your dynamics with a machine made headjoint
depends on how good you are....i played the flute for 10 years and right now i have a Miyazawa 402 which is 7000ish because i added the C# trill and D# roller and it is heavy wall i also bought a 14k Lillian Burkart headjoint.....i know it's really pricey but it really depends on do you wanna continue flute in your future
High End Professional : Altus: http://www.altusflutes.com/
Burkart: http://www.burkart.com/index.html?sid=00...
Haynes: http://www.wmshaynes.com/index.html
Miyazawa: http://miyazawa.com/
Muramatsu: http://www.muramatsu-america.com/
Powell: http://www.powellflutes.com/
Sankyo: http://sankyoflute.com/
Brannen Brothers: http://www.brannenflutes.com/
Pearl: http://pearlflutes.com/
For the high end one you can also have some add one like the D# roller, C# trill, Heavy Wall, different material of riser
if you prefer cheaper flute but still good quality which is around 1000-4000 (handmade headjoint with machine made body) :
Amadeus (Haynes headjoint)
Sonare (Powell headjoiint)
Azumi (Altus headjoint)
Brio (Dana Sheridan headjoint)
If you are beginner i will go for:
Gemeinhardt
Emerson
Armstrong
Yamaha
people always say that yamaha and gemeinhardt have the best flute but honestly they only have good beginner flute....they are just common that's why people always recommend but if you want a good flute check out the high end one or the intermediate one....also depends on what level you are you can add different key, riser, or thick wall if you want more information you can email me happy flute shopping.....
I strongly suggest that you go to www.jennifercluff.com and read her great articles. You will find that she and I agree, and if we had to put it in ONE recommendation - Azumi 3000. These are made by Altus, and are the BEST value out there for you. Also, look at Yamaha 300 and 400 series, Jupter 711, DeMedici 1001, AVANTI ( made by Brannen) and she also advises few others. Best place to buy?? www.fluteworld.com. Of course, taking a pro WITH you to a big shop (NOT you local music store - unless you live in NYC!!) or a convention is BEST - but otherwise, you can have flutes sent to you to try. I completely understand that you cannot go for a high-end, $8,000 flute now - but you should be VERY happy when all this is over, for under $3,000 - maybe less (some of these are under $2,000).
I wish you much luck - this choice is critical for your successful progress. Have fun, while taking it all very seriously!
.... You could spend $2500 on a terrific head joint, or $2500 on a very nice instrument. Your Gemeinhardt has some trade-in value. (ha! --- that would be the discount they would probably offer anyway.)