Your Questions Answered
Why is the headjoint of the flute so important?
What is undercutting and over-cutting of the embouchure hole?
What is an ‘E’ mechanism?
What is the difference between open hole and closed hole flutes?
What is the difference between an inline and offset G key flute?
What are traditional key cups and French style pointed key arm mechanisms?
How do you know if any of the flute is made of a precious metal?
Why are the pads of the flute so important?
Why is the regulation so important?
What is a ‘B footjoint?
Why is the headjoint of the flute so important?
The headjoint is singularly the most important part of the flute, not only for sound production but also for tuning. Flute makers continually strive to make the ‘perfect’ headjoint, however because this is such a subjective topic, the perfect headjoint will probably never be made. Broken down in to three distinct parts, the tube, lip plate and the chimney or riser, most headjoints give different strengths and tonal widths in various parts of the octave. There are various reasons for the different headjoint characteristics of the various manufacturers - different parabolic curves, varying embouchure sizes, angles and depths. What can be said with certainty however is that a student will advance quicker, and to a higher standard if they play on a flute resplendent with a responsive headjoint.
What is undercutting and over-cutting of the embouchure hole?
Over-cutting is the term given to the bevel on top of the embouchure hole, whilst undercutting is the action of changing the angles at the bottom of the chimney or riser. Both actions are achieved by hand filing and then finished by polishing the angled areas. Over-cutting and undercutting of the embouchure hole and chimney does indeed make a difference to the sound and tonal flexibility, however as this is again a subjective topic, the extent and severity of the cutting varies from flute maker to flute maker, as does the preference from player to player.
What is an ‘E’ mechanism?
The split E mechanism has been around for many years and is especially popular in England. The note E3 has always been difficult to play in tune (it has a tendency to be sharp) as well as crack easily when first attacked. The split E mechanism is an optional extra and can be requested on both in-line and off-set G flutes, however the E mechanism is most commonly found on the offset G flute. When a player plays E3 on a flute without an E mechanism, both G keys remain open. However if the player has an E mechanism, a bar located adjacent to the F# key pushes down the lower G key. The upper G key however remains open.
What is the difference between open hole and closed hole flutes?
There are two common forms of key styles used today, ‘closed hole’ keys, and the ‘open hole’ style. The ‘open hole’ flutes have five keys which have holes in them - the A key, one of the G keys, the F, E and D keys. The purpose of the hole is to provide increased air circulation when the key is open. To close the key, the finger must cover the hole completely. In addition to the acoustical differences for this key style, there are certain artistic and aesthetic preferences for them, as well as the ability to encompass may of the modern day flute techniques that may require the player to half cover the keyhole. The most common key style in the U.K is the closed holed version which as the name implies, has keys without holes.
What is the difference between an inline and offset G key flute?
The in-line model - The G key tone holes are set in the same row as the B, A, F, E, and D keys. The G keys are part of the left-hand section. Simply, all the keys on the main body are in line with each other. The French flute player favours the in-line model.
The offset model - A type of centre joint construction in which the G keys have tone holes set forward of the row of other tone holes. There is a separate set of posts and rod for the G keys and they are not part of the left hand section. The offset model predominates in the UK flute market. There is no acoustical difference between the two styles. Many players prefer the offset G keys because it feels more natural to them. Those who consider it conducive to good hand position prefer the in-line configuration. It is purely a matter of personal choice.
What are traditional key cups and French style pointed key arm mechanisms?
traditional key cup
Most student manufacturers use the traditional key cup design for their flutes rather than the key arms favoured on the handmade flutes. Traditional key cups can be cast or drop forged in one piece whereas French style pointed key arms are usually made in two separate parts and then carefully soldered together to form one.
pointed key cup
How do you know if any of the flute is made of a precious metal?
Most student flutes are silver plated, however there comes a time in a player’s musical evolution when they want to demand more of the instrument with regards to tonal colours and flexibility.
The progression to a solid headjoint, solid tube or solid tube and mechanism flute certainly assists the player in their search for musical advancement. Most manufacturers will identify the areas that have a precious metal content by stamping the numbers 925.
On the Trevor J. James ‘Cantabile 3 ’ flute (solid head), the 925 is stamped next to the crown, on the underside of the headjoint. On the ‘Virtuoso 3 ’ (solid tube) model, 925 is also stamped on the underside of the main body and footjoint sections. Flutes can also be made of gold, which like silver is also a precious elemental member of the copper family. Pure gold is measured as ‘24 karat’. Used in flute making, it is usually 9k, although 14k, 18k and 24k flutes are also available.
Thequestion of which metal gives the best tone has yet to be answered as all players have different desires and opinions. However most players would agree, that there are definite benefits to a student up-grading their silver plated flute to either a solid head, solid tube or one with solid tube and mechanism as they progress through their grades.
Why are the pads of the flute so important?
Padding a flute is the single most important process in making a flute play at its best. A well-padded student flute will play better than a badly padded professional flute. The role of a pad is to quietly close off a tone hole completely, creating a hermetic seal with the least amount of effort. If a pad is not seated correctly in the key cup, it will cause an air leak that will affect the formation of the note it produces when closed, as well as every note below that pad. The hermetic seal made by the pad is therefore the most important factor in tonal production. This process continues to constitute a large proportion of Trevor J. James & Co. workshop time during the finishing process.
Why is the regulation so important?
The purpose of regulating the flute is to ensure that two or more keys, which must close together, will seal the tone holes at exactly the same time. Some keys are not closed directly, but will depend on the closing of other keys to activate them, e.g. the F# key is closed by the action of the D, E and F keys. It is also possible to make the mechanism feel heavier or lighter to the touch, however this is again of individual taste. Whilst it is possible to change the feel of the mechanism, unless it is really heavy, it would be of no significant benefit to the new student. Lightening of the key work mechanism however can be of great importance to the more advanced player
What is a ‘B footjoint?
The standard concert flute comes resplendent with a natural three octave range, from C1 to C4, however the more advanced and professional player can occasionally be found ‘up in the gods’ playing C# 4 through to F#4. On the odd occasion, the flute part may contain a low ‘B’, which is too low for a normal concert flute to play, unless it has an extra key. This extra key is situated on the footjoint below the ‘C’ tone hole and is called the low ‘B’. This particular footjoint is therefore called a ‘B footjoint’ as opposed to the normal ‘C footjoint’ found as standard on all flutes.
