It's funny how a prinicipal flutist in a symphony can love a pearl factory headjoint, and the rest of us just cringe when we play the same factory head joint. I think that is just hilarious we all see the same thing, or is that we all HEAR the same thing? I think we all play differently, and what works for one person, does not work for another person. That is the only explanation I can come up with.

For sure Pearl flutes work for me. It's my primary flute and the one used on all my recordings on this web site. The head joint is not exactly a pearl....like I said I had it custom made. You all want a picture, but what is there to show? It looks like any other head joint, just more concave (convex) than oval. Meaning it's oval but more round. Does that make sense? I also like the edge more sharper down than across, because I naturally overbow more into the flute and it helps to keep the tone cleaner for me. Believe me I hit the honker notes from time to time. I am not a pro. But by keeping it angled a few degrees down at a shareper angle I get a warmer sound, and cleaner sound with more resonance as well. But the low end suffers....argh, fix one thing break another!

I hate low notes, why I even have a B-Foot is beyond me, and that silly gizmo what good does it really do? Do I really get that much better resonance if I use a gizmo? How often do I play a low B anyway? Oh and that other nice invention the split E key...who can use that in a fast run? not me.... Shall I start talking about the trill keys next and what I think of those? hehe I will spare you all...

Ok, these are jokes...the funny weird keys have a purpose, just not most of the time is my point...don't jump on me, ok?

Keep Tooting and Fluting!

I could never live without my c# trill key!!! I use is ALL the time. The best invention yet for flutes. How often do I play that high C where I would have to use that gizmo key on my B foot? Hardly ever. I try to avoid anything past a B flat.
Yuck! I do however use the B on my B footjoint quite often in the repertoire I use but I also have a C foot which I prefer.

Tip: If you want to be able to hit low notes with ease, try a Goosman headjoint. Well.. and of course practice!

i am broke. i cannot afford a headjoint other than the one i have right now... the one that comes standard with the actual instrument. but im lucky in that my low notes come out clearly.

i am very sad as well... everything seemed to crash and burn on me this summer. i had a broken computer, a broken water pipe (i had old faithful in my bathroom), a car fire, and a dog with cancer. so i had to sell the flute i had gotten a few months ago (a silver brannen) to pay off all my troubles. i bought a new computer, fixed my pipe, bought a new car, and had my dogs surgery to remove a tumor. thankfully my dogs still alive and i have a good flute to continue my education with.

Oh that really sucks. So sorry to hear about all your trouble My first year of marriage was a lot like that too. It seems that when something goes wrong everything else follows all in a row. I am glad to hear that you did get them resoloved but so sad that you had to sell your Brannen.

well, lucky for me, i didnt buy it so i wasnt out any money. it was left to me in a family friends will. but its hard parting with something that belonged to someone you knew since you were 2. but my muramatsu isnt a bad flute.

whoever said "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" mustve been high. when life gives you lemons, chuck them back and "**** you, you little whore!"

i need to get ahold of my anger.