Since the flute is designed for a horizontal position, the fingering fits better when the flute is turned 20-30 degrees to the right from a vertical position. It took about half an hour to get all the notes to sound, and a few hours to sound good. It got better when I hold the "fliphead" to the right of my mouth, not in the middle of my mouth.
I’ve just ordered the ‘flow’ version of the Fliphead…..I am really looking forward to having a go :-0. I was about to sell the flute as I have sadly come to the conclusion that I’ll never be able to create an embouchure that will be capable of doing what I would like to achieve sonically…however I’ve put a lot off time into learning fingering and how to blow the flute so I’m hopeful this will be a solution. I get that it’s unlikely to ever be as versatile or satisfying as playing a flute using lip plate/sound hole but the sounds you were achieving in your promotional videos seemed good to me. I’ll let you know how I get on. ;-)
Thx for your feedback. The transverse head has its advantages in terms of versatility for sure but is much harder to learn. The Fliphead models are very different to play in terms of airflow and breath pressure. Hopefully its a ggod fit for you!
Great video. At last I've got some understanding. I play flute. I hurt my neck in a car accident in 1985. It was a whiplash. Several year ago I started to get pain and headaches because of the normal playing position. I bought a curved head joint which helped a little. But I am jumping with joy because the Flip head. It seems great. Where can I buy one? Do you sell them? I canr wait to use one and get back to full practice and performance. Great vid. Thanks😅😅😅😅😅
The FL1SE is our entry level flute with both transverse silver plated head and the Fliphead mouthpiece. Ideal for people who do not own a flute yet and do not have the budget for other popular student flutes (Yamaha, Azumi, Pearl…).
@@eatreedsleep6437 been frantically looking for a video of someone playing the FL1-SE I own to many Tin Whistles and a couple of 6 hole Irish flutes. I have looked at a Yamaha a few times, but as I never mastered blowing into the embrochure hole, I've never bought one can you point me to a video of the FL1-SE ?
@@eatreedsleep6437 Thanks I had watch that video. but not being a flute player, I can't pick the logo on that flute. it does not look like the fliphead logo (and it's an Open Hole Flute) are you certain it's the FL1-SE ?? but as a whistle player, guessing I'd want to try the smaller flow head ??
Hi Axel. I purchased the complete setup from you last year (flip head head joint and C foot flute) and it’s a great tool for reed players. Any chance of developing a Flip Head for alto flute? Bass Flute? Your videos are exceptionally informative.
It's interesting that you can play the third octave. With Irish whistles you're practically limited to 2 octaves and even then the high notes get very loud. Does this mean that the low notes with this head need to be played softer than with a low whistle? Especially when going below the D4 which the bottom note of your usual low whistle.
Good questions! While designing the Fliphead I took a lot of time to find a good balance between volume+airflow in the low, middle+high register. The idea is to have saxplayers and whistle-players feel at home on the Fliphead and to have a decent overall volume. Meaning: the low register (F to low C/B) needs little air and feels pretty much like a low D whistle. The lower notes will be softer but still warm and open sounding. The middle register up to around A2 is needs medium air and is very easy to play. The high register (up to C4) needs more air and gets louder, but is indeed easier to play than the high register on a low whistle. Mouthpiece chamber, windway and diameter of the flute body are the major difference compared to a low whistle and the reason why the full range is possible. A conventional flute head is more flexibel in dynamics but the Fliphead is easier to play/learn. If you are used to play classical flute, you will need to put more air into the instrument. When you know how to play whistles it will be "plug and play". As a saxplayer the airflow will feel familiar, you will nit have the feeling of putting too much air into the flute, like it is often the case with the conventional flute head. - I hope that answers your questions.
@@eatreedsleep6437 Thanks for the reply! I'm a whistle player and sometimes it'd be fun to have a chromatic option so I'll be definitely keeping an eye on this when my budget allows
@@eatreedsleep6437 Oh, I have one more question. I'm not sure if you've heard of the Nuvo plastic flute (Nuvo flute 2.0) but I'm wondering if the fliphead would fit that one. I feel like the Nuvo is a bit thicker than your usual flute but I'm not sure.
@@Tremendouz Yes, the Nuvo flutes are a little wieder than usual silver flutes. You will need to add some cork or use quite a bit of our flute fitting tape to adjust the neck to work with the Nuvo. Check out David Borgo's video:
For someone who has played the alto recorder, but never played the flute, would this allow the ability to learn the "flute" easier without having to learn the traditional flute embouchure?
YES! The Fliphead feels and plays like an Alto recorder mouthpiece or an Irish low whistle. Coming from the Alto recorder, we would recommend the AM-2 Mouthpiece since it has a smaller windway compared to the AM-1 which is more open. Check out our website for more info. www.fliphead.net
@@eatreedsleep6437 Seriously I'm definitely going to look into this. I play other instruments, most recently the recorder, my first wind instrument. Having a great time but sometimes I want a different tone. Was wistfully thinking about learning the flute but as I'm an older adult, not happy that it might take months/years to achieve halfway decent tone. Fliphead might work really well in my situation.
I wonder if it’s hard to make a sound out of it, does it require much focus on the mouth? Or do you just blow with moderation and the sound will come out?
@@eatreedsleep6437 I have an update I purchased my flip head headjoint and find it is great except for one particular note the second octave D seems a little wonky to me doesn't always want play so I'm not sure if that's just me or if that's meant to be that way wondering if anyone else is having trouble with that particular note mind you I am a former flutist from 30 years just not sure if it's me or something needs to be tuned
@@shielasmith9583 Hey Shiela! 1st of all: Welcome to the Fliphead Family! About the 2nd octave D: Try opening your left hand index finger - this might change the sound of the D. Also - since it it the 1st "overblown" note - try "opening" your mouth/throat (forming an "O"). Also the airflow needs to ba adapted slighty when changing from the short notes (C + C#) to the 2nd octave D. The D is always the "weakest" note - both on sax + fipple flute. I hope this helps!
@@eatreedsleep6437 thanks so much for the info I did notice that the C sharp especially does not have its quality in sound like a concert flute is more like the Irish whistle I will give your suggestions a try I'm just so thankful to be able to play my flute again health issues have prevented me from doing so but flip head has given me the opportunity to play again thank you
Great to read this!! About the C#: try closing the right hand keys (F, E, D), this will give more warmth+core to the C# - comparable to a whistle fingering... @@shielasmith9583
@@eatreedsleep6437 I was thinking about it but then I kinda saw some crazy fun stuff with people using a sax head on a flute and it sounded pretty interesting. dont know if I'm up for learning a new instrument again. even though they are very similar.
@@kninzotagoni3635 sax is actually quite close to flute, fingering wise. Sound is vastly different of course because of the wildly conical bore of the sax
with alto recorder mpcs it is not plug and play. you have to cut/shorten the head and find a neck that fits the flute and attach it to the modified head. often intonation is a topic if it is not done properly.
i've wondered for years why nobody did this. i'm glad you finally did! i've even tried putting a recorder headjoint on a clarinet body.
Since the flute is designed for a horizontal position, the fingering fits better when the flute is turned 20-30 degrees to the right from a vertical position.
It took about half an hour to get all the notes to sound, and a few hours to sound good.
It got better when I hold the "fliphead" to the right of my mouth, not in the middle of my mouth.
This may be my answer for playing my flute while developing my stage act. Thought about selling it now, I should keep it and this product. Thank you !
Me too.
I’ve just ordered the ‘flow’ version of the Fliphead…..I am really looking forward to having a go :-0. I was about to sell the flute as I have sadly come to the conclusion that I’ll never be able to create an embouchure that will be capable of doing what I would like to achieve sonically…however I’ve put a lot off time into learning fingering and how to blow the flute so I’m hopeful this will be a solution. I get that it’s unlikely to ever be as versatile or satisfying as playing a flute using lip plate/sound hole but the sounds you were achieving in your promotional videos seemed good to me. I’ll let you know how I get on. ;-)
Thx for your feedback. The transverse head has its advantages in terms of versatility for sure but is much harder to learn. The Fliphead models are very different to play in terms of airflow and breath pressure. Hopefully its a ggod fit for you!
Made my own out of pvc, a piece of wooden dowel, and a file, sounds great and was practically free.
Yeah! lets hear it!
@@eatreedsleep6437 Bet. I've been thinking about making a video on it for a bit.
@@Ginger_bit There is so many ways of how fipple mouthpieces sound and play. I would love to see (and hear) your piece!
Great video. At last I've got some understanding. I play flute. I hurt my neck in a car accident in 1985. It was a whiplash. Several year ago I started to get pain and headaches because of the normal playing position. I bought a curved head joint which helped a little. But I am jumping with joy because the Flip head. It seems great. Where can I buy one? Do you sell them? I canr wait to use one and get back to full practice and performance. Great vid. Thanks😅😅😅😅😅
That looks cool. I own a lot of instruments... but not a flute :(
what's this Fliphead Flute Bundle FL1-SE ??
The FL1SE is our entry level flute with both transverse silver plated head and the Fliphead mouthpiece. Ideal for people who do not own a flute yet and do not have the budget for other popular student flutes (Yamaha, Azumi, Pearl…).
@@eatreedsleep6437 been frantically looking for a video of someone playing the FL1-SE
I own to many Tin Whistles and a couple of 6 hole Irish flutes. I have looked at a Yamaha a few times, but as I never mastered blowing into the embrochure hole, I've never bought one
can you point me to a video of the FL1-SE ?
@@FiddlingwithmyWhistle th-cam.com/video/Ef4LqncdzrY/w-d-xo.html
The FL1SE is a decent entry-level flute made in China. It comes with the additional Fliphead neck + mouthpiece + thumb rest + combo case.
@@eatreedsleep6437 Thanks I had watch that video. but not being a flute player, I can't pick the logo on that flute. it does not look like the fliphead logo (and it's an Open Hole Flute)
are you certain it's the FL1-SE ??
but as a whistle player, guessing I'd want to try the smaller flow head ??
Hi Axel. I purchased the complete setup from you last year (flip head head joint and C foot flute) and it’s a great tool for reed players. Any chance of developing a Flip Head for alto flute? Bass Flute? Your videos are exceptionally informative.
Thx, Robert! We'll think about Alto-Flute. BUT: Piccolo first :)
Hi Axel. Piccolo makes sense. Let me know when it’s commercialized. But I would really like if you gave the alto flute a go.
@@eatreedsleep6437 When will the piccolo version be available please ?
@@borderslassuk We are busy working on the piccolo mpc. We will shout out loud asap!
@@eatreedsleep6437 Brillaint, just ordered my flip for the flute, can’t wait to try it 👍
It's interesting that you can play the third octave. With Irish whistles you're practically limited to 2 octaves and even then the high notes get very loud.
Does this mean that the low notes with this head need to be played softer than with a low whistle? Especially when going below the D4 which the bottom note of your usual low whistle.
Good questions! While designing the Fliphead I took a lot of time to find a good balance between volume+airflow in the low, middle+high register. The idea is to have saxplayers and whistle-players feel at home on the Fliphead and to have a decent overall volume. Meaning: the low register (F to low C/B) needs little air and feels pretty much like a low D whistle. The lower notes will be softer but still warm and open sounding. The middle register up to around A2 is needs medium air and is very easy to play. The high register (up to C4) needs more air and gets louder, but is indeed easier to play than the high register on a low whistle. Mouthpiece chamber, windway and diameter of the flute body are the major difference compared to a low whistle and the reason why the full range is possible. A conventional flute head is more flexibel in dynamics but the Fliphead is easier to play/learn. If you are used to play classical flute, you will need to put more air into the instrument. When you know how to play whistles it will be "plug and play". As a saxplayer the airflow will feel familiar, you will nit have the feeling of putting too much air into the flute, like it is often the case with the conventional flute head. - I hope that answers your questions.
@@eatreedsleep6437 Thanks for the reply! I'm a whistle player and sometimes it'd be fun to have a chromatic option so I'll be definitely keeping an eye on this when my budget allows
@@eatreedsleep6437 Oh, I have one more question. I'm not sure if you've heard of the Nuvo plastic flute (Nuvo flute 2.0) but I'm wondering if the fliphead would fit that one. I feel like the Nuvo is a bit thicker than your usual flute but I'm not sure.
@@Tremendouz Yes, the Nuvo flutes are a little wieder than usual silver flutes. You will need to add some cork or use quite a bit of our flute fitting tape to adjust the neck to work with the Nuvo. Check out David Borgo's video:
th-cam.com/video/tzeaH59qiwc/w-d-xo.html
This is great. I am expecting mine to arrive next week. I bought BECAUSE of the sound difference! will you make this for Alto flute and piccolo?
Actually, many people are asking about alto + piccolo. We need to find the time to put this into prototyping. we will see.
@@eatreedsleep6437 Great- I am ready!
For someone who has played the alto recorder, but never played the flute, would this allow the ability to learn the "flute" easier without having to learn the traditional flute embouchure?
YES! The Fliphead feels and plays like an Alto recorder mouthpiece or an Irish low whistle. Coming from the Alto recorder, we would recommend the AM-2 Mouthpiece since it has a smaller windway compared to the AM-1 which is more open. Check out our website for more info. www.fliphead.net
@@eatreedsleep6437 Seriously I'm definitely going to look into this. I play other instruments, most recently the recorder, my first wind instrument. Having a great time but sometimes I want a different tone. Was wistfully thinking about learning the flute but as I'm an older adult, not happy that it might take months/years to achieve halfway decent tone. Fliphead might work really well in my situation.
I wonder if it’s hard to make a sound out of it, does it require much focus on the mouth? Or do you just blow with moderation and the sound will come out?
It feels like a recorder or a irish low whistle. you need no focus, just airflow.
@@eatreedsleep6437 wow amazing! Definitely buying one. Thank you.
Any chance of designing a flip head for an oboe?
Wouldn't it be nice ;) It would not sound like an Oboe. The sound of an oboe mainly is caused by the vibrating reed. Can't get rid of that.
WANT!!!!
does the mouthpeice work for student flutes?
yes, it works with all common c-flute bodies
does it work with b-foot joints
yes, both C- and B-foots work
How about fliphead for trumpet
That would not work unfortunately. At least not with a flute/fipple mouthpiece.
I have a question regards to note playing since I am a former flutist are the fingerings the same for each note as on the flute
Yes, all fingerings are identical. Just the tone production, airflow and sound are very different.
@@eatreedsleep6437
I have an update I purchased my flip head headjoint and find it is great except for one particular note the second octave D seems a little wonky to me doesn't always want play so I'm not sure if that's just me or if that's meant to be that way wondering if anyone else is having trouble with that particular note mind you I am a former flutist from 30 years just not sure if it's me or something needs to be tuned
@@shielasmith9583 Hey Shiela! 1st of all: Welcome to the Fliphead Family! About the 2nd octave D: Try opening your left hand index finger - this might change the sound of the D. Also - since it it the 1st "overblown" note - try "opening" your mouth/throat (forming an "O"). Also the airflow needs to ba adapted slighty when changing from the short notes (C + C#) to the 2nd octave D. The D is always the "weakest" note - both on sax + fipple flute. I hope this helps!
@@eatreedsleep6437 thanks so much for the info I did notice that the C sharp especially does not have its quality in sound like a concert flute is more like the Irish whistle I will give your suggestions a try I'm just so thankful to be able to play my flute again health issues have prevented me from doing so but flip head has given me the opportunity to play again thank you
Great to read this!! About the C#: try closing the right hand keys (F, E, D), this will give more warmth+core to the C# - comparable to a whistle fingering...
@@shielasmith9583
is there a way to attach a reed to it to make it sound like a saxophone?
It should not sound like a reed instrument. If you want that, get a sopranino sax or a soprano sax ;)
@@eatreedsleep6437 I was thinking about it but then I kinda saw some crazy fun stuff with people using a sax head on a flute and it sounded pretty interesting. dont know if I'm up for learning a new instrument again. even though they are very similar.
Tried that with a clarinet mouthpiece and reed , it doesn't work. Intonation is all over the place
@@kninzotagoni3635 sax is actually quite close to flute, fingering wise. Sound is vastly different of course because of the wildly conical bore of the sax
An alto recorder head works just as well and is a lot cheaper
Yes, if one is happy with a diy-solution, alto recorder mouthpieces do work very well, but sound different though.
@@eatreedsleep6437 you can hear mine here
th-cam.com/video/HTMDzUJAuPA/w-d-xo.html
How does the alto recorder head fit on?
with alto recorder mpcs it is not plug and play. you have to cut/shorten the head and find a neck that fits the flute and attach it to the modified head. often intonation is a topic if it is not done properly.
@@eatreedsleep6437 depends on the alto head. I have a cheap wooden alto, the head fits fine on the flute
Why develop your embrochure, when you can just blow up whistle!