This is a common question for those starting to get into it or considering learning the flute. The answer is a fairly simply one and one which is well responded to on Trevor James flute products.
The first and most important factor for anyone wanting a good flute is to have one that is easy to play. What do I mean? -- Basically a flute sound is created by a column of air vibrating down the flute tube. However the sound has to get their from your mouth of course. The ease in which this is done is extremely important and where a fantastically designed headjoint comes into operation.
The lip plate is the place where you rest your lips for playing and the embouchure hole is the place where you blow into. The air travels into the flute through the hole. The design is critical and hole can be overcut and undercut. This means very little angles are specially cut into the hole to concentrate as much air as possible into the headjoint. These vary per flute and increase in their speciality as the price goes up. The Trevor James 10x MKII is especially designed for the new player.
Headjoints come in a different number of materials and this makes a difference to the tone. The solid silver heads are the best. They have a property to the material which creates a rich warm sound and the metal can be manipulated well by the manufacturer. Many of Trevor James flutes come with a solid head or have solid head options. Lip plates can also be solid or even 9k gold!!!
A&C Hamilton Musical Instruments 117-121 Chorley Old Road
Bolton Greater Manchester 01204 497703
A&C Hamilton 946-950 Blackpool Rd. Lea Preston Lancs England 01772 722468
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