Wooden Headjoints
A wooden headjoint on a metal flute is a fascinating combination and a real compliment to a lot of the flute's repertoire. Theobald Boehm also found this combination to be outstanding.
It brings together the amazing qualities of these precious materials and invites the player to individually blend them.
Of course, all of the following styles and woods can be made to fit to wooden instruments too.
Mounts and tenons are available in sterling silver or gold.
There are 2 basic types of headjoint available:
Thin wall - the wood surrounding the lip plate is thinned out leaving a raised lip plate.
This not only reduces the weight of the headjoint, it also changes the tonal qualities.
Thick wall - the headjoint is of an even thickness throughout the whole length.
Because of the wall thickness it gives a somewhat fuller, darker sound than the thinned headjoint.
There are 2 basic embouchure cuts available:
Modern - responding and projecting extremely well over the flute's full range.
It can be used for most music styles due to it's flexibility.
This cut is used mainly in combination with thin wall headjoints.
Traditional - this embouchure incorporates good projection with a 'healthy resistance' to give a beautifully intimate sound. Very good for traditional music.
This cut is used mainly in combination with thick wall headjoints.