What are the Sections of a Flute’s Head?

A standard concert flute is composed of three parts: the headjoint (middle part), the body (middle section) and the footjoint.

Headjoint

The flute, unlike other instruments in the woodwind family, is an aerophone. It does not use a reed to produce sound. Instead, the flute’s player creates sound by blowing air through the hole in the headjoint. The flute’s tone is greatly affected by how the player blows air through it and the material of the headjoint. The adjustable cork at one end of the headjoint allows the airflow toward the flute’s body. Nickel silver is the most common type of beginner headjoint. However, more advanced flutes can use pure silver, sterling, gold, platinum or wood. Advanced flute players might have several headjoints depending on the style of music they will be playing.

Body

The instrument’s body is the longest section with the most holes and keys. By pressing down on various combinations of padded keys, the player can change notes. Open-hole keys will be available for beginners, but more advanced flutes will often have open-hole options. Open-hole flutes offer a greater range of techniques and tones.

Footjoint

The footjoint, which is the shortest section of the instrument, is the most far from the player. The footjoint has the smallest number of keys. They are played by the right hand pinky finger. Some intermediate flutes, as well as beginner flutes, have a C footjoint. Other intermediate and professional flutes, on the other hand, offer a B footjoint which is a longer footjoint and offers one more key.

What Materials are Flutes Made From?

Nickel silver

Nickel silver is made up of nickel, copper, and zinc. Because of its low cost and low density, beginner flutes are often made from nickel silver. It’s lighter and easier to hold, making it easier to make a sound. Some players might be sensitive to nickel, but they don’t yet have the right material. A lip plate patch can be used to prevent skin contact.

Silver

When upgrading their flute, a silver flute is the most popular upgrade. It can be either silver plated or solid. You can get some of the same tonal benefits as silver-plated headjoints without having to spend the extra money for a solid-silver headjoint. If not properly cared for, silver-plated headjoints can tarnish quickly. However, a flute technician can polish them back to their original condition. Solid silver flutes can be used to strengthen professional and intermediate flutes. To help reduce costs while still retaining the sound quality of solid silver, some flutes have a solely solid silver headjoint and a silver-plated footjoint.

Gold

A gold flute looks great, and the purity of gold also makes it more warm. You can use gold in the makeup of your headjoint for various parts of the flute or the whole instrument. Every gold flute is unique because they are often handmade.

Platinum

Platinum flutes weigh more than gold flutes. The material also affects the feel and sound of the flutes. Platinum flutes have a deep, dark sound and a powerful tone. Because of their resistance, they are more responsive to articulation. They can also be pushed further without cracking because they have a greater range of notes. Platinum is typically used for professional flutes.

Wood

Flutes were made mostly from wood before the 19th century. The most popular types of wood used to be grenadilla and rosewood. The modern wooden flute weighs about the same weight as a gold or solid silver flute. The warm, natural sound of wooden flutes may be overlooked by an untrained ear. Some players might choose to have their flute entirely made of wood while others may only use a wooden headjoint.

Aurumite(r)

Aurumite (r) is a combination of precious metals in layers, such as gold and silver. Aurumite, which is only available for the Powell Sonare flutes, has a rich, warm, and resonant tonal tone.

What features and options are available for flutes?

Offset G keys or in-line

You have two options for the placement of the G keys (the key to the left of the angled G# lever in the middle): offset or in line. To make it easier to reach, beginner flutes will come with an offset G key. Professional-level flutes are available in both offset and in-line options. The instrument’s tone is not affected by the G key being placed.

Split-E Mechanism

Split-E is a feature that can be found on professional and intermediate models. This is an additional key that “splits” the keys that close to play the G note. The second key will close when the E above the staff is played. This allows the third-register E to be more stable and less likely not to get out of tune.

High-E facilitator

A high-E facilitator is an alternative to split-E mechanisms. It is a small disk that is placed in the tone hole to the left side of the G# lever. This is done to reduce the volume of the tone hole, and to change the direction of airflow. It’s a cost-effective and simple way to assist players using the third-register E.

C# Trill Key

The C# trill keys are a lever that is used by the first finger of the right hand to open the tone hole close to the left-hand thumb. This key is used to reduce awkward trill and/or tremolo fingerings, and it is often preferred by players upgrading their instruments.

B key

The B key can be found to the right side of the footjoint’s roller key. This key allows the player to close either the low B or low-C tone holes without having to close the low C or low-C# hole. It can also be used for facilitation of playing the fourth-octave C.

Gizmo key

The Gizmo key can be found attached to professional and intermediate flutes. This key facilitates the fourth-octave high C.

Comparing open hole and closed hole

For student-model flutes, the standard is closed-hole keys (also known as plateau keys). Because all holes are fully covered by the keys when they are pressed, closed-hole keys make it easier for beginners to learn how to place their fingers correctly and are more likely to be successful playing. These keys, also known as French keys, are found on professional and intermediate models. Open-hole keys require that the player is precise in their finger placement to ensure the notes sound correctly. It is recommended that players remove all plugs from the instrument when they first switch to open-hole keys.

There are not many differences in the fingerings of a closed-hole flute from an open-hole one, but the open-hole flute allows for more advanced techniques like half tones and quarter tones and glissandi.

French pointed arms vs. Y arms

All student flutes have Y arms, as well as some intermediate flutes. The arm connects the key to either the main rod or footjoint on the body. French pointed arms are standard on professional flutes as well as some intermediate flutes. The pointed arm extends from the middle of the key. This creates a stunning cosmetic appearance.

Heavy wall vs. Standard wall

Sometimes, the flute tubing’s wall is the thickness of the material. Because beginners flutes are still learning how to move air through it, they have thinner walls. For players who move air quickly or can move large amounts of air through the flute, a thick wall tubing will produce a deeper and more powerful sound. Different materials will have different tubing thicknesses.

What are the Other Instruments in the Flute Family

Piccolo

Piccolo is the smallest member in the flute family. It is composed of the body and the headjoint. It can be sounded an octave higher that the C flute, and ranges from D5 through C8. Piccolos are made from wood, plastic, composite, and silver. Piccolos are used in concert bands, orchestras and flute choirs. Piccolos can be used as solo instruments or in chamber ensembles.

C flute

The concert flute is also known as the C flute. It is the most popular flute in the flute family. The pitch of the C flute can be heard in C, and it has a range of C4 to C7. Advanced players can play up until D7 and flutes with a B feetjoint can play to B3. C flutes can be made from nickel, sterling silver or gold as well as wood, platinum and Aurumite. C flutes can be found in marching bands and concert bands, orchestras as well as flute choirs, chamber ensembles, woodwind quintets and jazz bands.

Alto flute

Alto flutes are pitched in G key and sound a perfect fourth lower that what is in the music. You can choose to have a straight or curved headjoint for the alto flute. The range of the alto flute is G3 to G6. It is usually made from nickel silver or silver. Most often, the alto flute is used in orchestras, chamber ensembles, or as a solo instrument.

Bass flute

The most common lower-voiced flute is the bass flute. The range of the bass flute is C3 to C6. It sounds one octave less than the C flute. To make it more comfortable to play, the bass flute features a curved headjoint for the left hand and a thumb crutch to the right. Bass flutes can be used in orchestras, jazz ensembles, or as a solo instrument.

What are the differences between advanced and beginner flutes?

Flutes for beginners

The beginner flute, also known as a student flute, is designed to be affordable, durable, and easy to use. Many flutes are made from nickel silver or silver plating, and have either plateau or closed-hole keys. The G key will be offset and the instrument will also have a C footjoint. Beginning flute players are most successful when they learn proper hand positioning and play techniques.

It is important to consider the quality of beginner flutes when shopping. A lower quality instrument can cause frustration for players as it doesn’t sound the same as the ones they already have. Sweetwater has a variety of high-quality beginner flutes, ranging in price from $400 to $1,400.

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Intermediate flutes

You may consider an intermediate flute if you are a long-time player and feel frustrated by your tone, or if your playing style is too easy. These flutes are heavier than beginner flutes and allow for more air to flow through the instrument as you improve your skills.

Intermediate flutes are often referred to as conservatory, step-up, or performance flutes. These flutes are usually made from solid silver, or have a solid-silver headjoint and a silver-plated frame. A typical intermediate flute will have open-hole keys and a B footjoint, which allows players to explore more complex material and create a richer sound. A few intermediate flutes have additional features, such as a split-E mechanism or a gold lipplate.

A medium flute’s price can vary from $1,300 to $3,000 depending on the material and additional options.

Professional flutes

You can upgrade to a professional flute if your intermediate flute becomes too difficult. Professional flutes are the highest quality and most often handmade. A professional flute will have a higher quality material than an intermediate flute. This is what makes the difference between a professional flute and an intermediate flute. You can choose to have them made of solid silver, gold or platinum, or wood depending on the purpose of your instrument.

Professional flutes offer more options, including different metal options, silver keys and white-gold springs, French keys, split-E mechanisms, G key placements, French keys, and a B footjoint. Professional-model flutes come with a solid-silver headjoint, body and foot starting at $2,800 Flutes can be upgraded to solid silver keys, or added to a split-E mechanism. A C# trill and options for headjoint (gold lips plates, Aurumite) are also available.