Using a Different Headjoint
February 27, 2002 in Articles
I’ve noticed that a lot of guys who are not “flutists”, ie: they play flute but it’s not their main instrument, use different headjoints to get better sounds. For example, I believe both Guido Fazio and Larry DeLaCruz are using Yamaha student model flutes (plated body, closed hole) with Sankyo headjoints. I haven’t ventured into this area yet, as I’m still using my Yamaha 581 with the CY (I think) headjoint. Though, anyone have any opinions on different headjoints?
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ivictor said on April 1, 2002
I have used a Yamaha YFL 61 flute with a Brannon/Cooper Headjoint. I feel this combination allowed me to update my instrument considerably without incuring the additional cost of a whole new flute. I really love my Brannon/Cooper over the original stock head joint.
flutefemme said on April 4, 2002
I also upgraded my previous flute (Gemeinhardt 3SB) with a Brannen-Cooper headjoint. The improvement was incredible – far beyond my expecations. Be warned, though, I was so impressed, that I eventually bought an entire flute from Brannen (Millenium)! Once you try one, there’s no going back!
Kraus Hauptmann said on June 22, 2002
Hey! That’s a great Idea! I am primarily a percussionist, but have been playing quite a bit of flute with my band latley, and I have a really difficult time getting down to the lowest notes because I’m playing on an old student model Bundy that someone gave to me, and I don’t really play enough of the “Metal flute” to warrant buying a whole new one…yet (my background is mainly in “natural” flutes like the Quena, Bansuri, Shakuhachi etc.). Does anybody out there know what’s up with those Bamboo/wood headjoints for metal flutes? They look like a cool idea, and I was wondering if anybody has any experience/opinions on them.
annaboo said on January 7, 2003
There is an upstate NY based company called Folkers & Powell that mainly make baroque flutes, but they also make wooden head-joints for metal flutes under the company name Full Circle Headjoints. I’ve tried one on my Pearl flute, and they have a great earthy sound. Good Luck!
musicislife said on April 27, 2003
hey i’m just the opposite… i’m mainly a flute player, but lately i’m playing a lot of percussion! anyway, when i went to national flute convention last year, i got to try out some wooden headjoints on my metal flute, and i also got to try out some all wooden flutes. in my opinion, the completely wooden flutes have a fuller sound, but they are insanely expensive. the wooden headjoints i tried were great. they give a metal flute a completely different sound… much darker and not as classical and pure. very cool, kind of jazzy sound. and they’re a lot cheaper than a full wood flute. i think they’re a great investment if you’re going to be playing a lot of celtic music, rock, or jazz, they add great flavor to those styles. but if you’re going to be playing mostly classical, i would suggest investing in a good quality silver or gold headjoint. gold gives a richer sound, but is more expensive. personally, my headjoint is sterling silver but has a gold lip plate and the inside is gold plated. it makes getting both the high register and the low register very easy, and i love the way it sounds, but not for jazz, which is what i’m mostly playing nowadays. hmm this is a lot of info… hope it helps!
jazz625 said on July 2, 2003
Yes. I too am a flute player, well, saxophone first and flute second. And yes, I play a student YFL211 Silver plate (Which only cost £300) and then I bought a solid silver Top Wind hand made head joint for it. And yes, the sound is great.
Just out of interest, I took out the stock Yamaha head joint and found that I could not play it!
It is deffinatly a cheap option, with great results.