This week, the IFS blog is all about headjoints! Surprisingly enough, this part of the instrument is often responsible for the biggest sound improvement when upgrading to an intermediate or higher level instrument. Extra keys and gadgets are certainly important as well, but the headjoint is what really makes the sound sparkle and a flute really sound like “yours.” On student level flutes, headjoints are often machine cut and shaped using a generic format and lip plate shape. These factors are decided for the greatest ease of basic sound for the beginning player. Step-up flutes, on the other hand, come with a headjoint that is hand-finished and uses a more sophisticated formula for optimal flute sound for the advancing player. A process called “overcutting” and “undercutting” is often used to create angles in the instrument off of which sound can resonate, and the subtle contours of the instrument are much smoother. Just like with other aspects of intermediate-level flutes, the cost is determined both by the quality of materials used and the number of hours that go into making the instrument. All flutes in the Indy Flute Shop come with a headjoint that is solid silver, and they have all