embrouchure cutaway

[Tommy]

I read on the Skip Healy site that their flute has an embrouchure cutaway.
What is that for?

[Henke]

Some makers do this to increase the stability, ease of play and volume of their flutes. Some people like it, others don't.

Here are two examples:
Casey Burns headjoint


Peter Noy headjoint

[Tommy]

Thank you very much Henke.

[JessieK]

I don't like the embouchure cutaway. I find that it takes away some of the sweetness of tone. My Noy doesn't have an embouchure cutaway. I have a Burns Low Bb flute and I tradded in the cutaway head for one without it. I much prefer the one without it.

[toughknot]

Oh Oh! I suddenly have the urge to try this tweak on my Tipple

[Jonathan]

On a similar note, does anyone know why Peter Noy use different materials for the blowhole edge?? Is it supposed to affect the sound, or is it just aesthetic, or durability, or...

[jim stone]

believeit's durability

[Sillydill]

I was inspired by Henke's photo to post this one.

No, this is not a flute with an Ambidextrous relieved embouchure!

This is a Mark Hoza Kything flute (Cooktown Ironwood), with a relieved embouchure and a relieved lip plate. The "dimples" on each side of the embouchure don't photograph well.

I bought this flute because I wanted to try the key of Eb. At first I didn't like the embouchure, but once you become familiar it is quite comfortable! You have to learn to stop rolling your flute. I now like this flute so much, I have a nearly identical one ordered in the key of D.



You'll never know if you like an embouchure with a "cutaway" unless you try one and even then you may need some time to become comfortable with it!

Keep Makin Music!

Jordan[/img]

[Henke]

On a similar note, does anyone know why Peter Noy use different materials for the blowhole edge?? Is it supposed to affect the sound, or is it just aesthetic, or durability, or...

I think it's got to do with sound mostly. A harder, less porous material (as in this case) should theoretically produce a stronger, brighter sound.

[Wormdiet]

I don't like the embouchure cutaway. I find that it takes away some of the sweetness of tone. My Noy doesn't have an embouchure cutaway. I have a Burns Low Bb flute and I tradded in the cutaway head for one without it. I much prefer the one without it.

Tell me more about this flute:

How is the stretch?
Is the weight/balance awkward?
Nice sound?
Hard/Easy to fill?

I'm probably going to order one of these in A assuming my employment situation remains stable for next year. (Keep yer fingers crossed)

[tribalwind]

On a similar note, does anyone know why Peter Noy use different materials for the blowhole edge?? Is it supposed to affect the sound, or is it just aesthetic, or durability, or...

I think it's got to do with sound mostly. A harder, less porous material (as in this case) should theoretically produce a stronger, brighter sound.

as a somewhat novice flutemaker ,my experience is that a crisp sharp edge gives a more pure tone,harder the material,the sharper u can make it,and will hold that crispnessas it's also more durable,whereas wood will 'water out' this is very common with other styels of flute.
i have bought/made Andean'kena' with a bone mouthpiece/sound-edge. similarly the japanese shakuhachi traditionally has a water-buffallo horn inlay (many makers choose synthetic /animal-friendly materials nowadays)
those pics are cool! i never saw this on an irish flute,though im not much experienced with them so no surprise.

on my "higher-end" native-styled flutes i use hardwood inlays for the flue,"bird",chimney and fipple/sound-edge.

:: also agree with jessieK,.
and i often enjoy some raw "breathy-gritty-ness" to my flutes