This topic is one from the archives, but with updated information! When most flute players think of curved headjoints, they think of alto and bass flutes. But did you know that curved headjoints are available on regular C flutes as well? These instruments, designed for the smaller player in mind, have waxed and waned in popularity over the years, but in my seven years with the flute shop, I have seen them make a well-deserved comeback! As a petite player who began the flute at age 9, I definitely wish that I had started out on a curved headjoint. These flutes have a U bend in the headjoint, shortening the distance from the player’s shoulders to their fingers. This creates less stretch and strain on the left hand, arm, and shoulder. The curved headjoint flute looks like this: There are a few slight disadvantages to a curved headjoint C flute; the sound quality is slightly diminished, but keep in mind that these are designed for beginning flute players. My opinion as a player and teacher is that the development of good hand position outweighs the slightly lower quality sound production. There are a lot of bad habits that can be

Hello friends! We have some really exciting news for you this week. As in years past, Yamaha is featuring their “Graduate to Yamaha” promotion for the second quarter of this year (April 1-June 30th) for qualifying instruments. In previous years, these have included the professional-level 500-700 series flutes, as well as wood piccolos. This year, in addition, they are adding the intermediate line to the promotion, for a $50 mail-in rebate! If you’ve been thinking about “graduating” to a better flute, now is a great time. Yamaha intermediate flutes have been a staple of the Indy Flute Shop line-up for years now, and with good reason. These instruments are a perfect mix of durability, dependability, and easy responsiveness of playing. They feature a sterling silver headjoint (300 series) or a sterling head, body, and foot (400 series) as well as a gold-plated lip plate and headjoint interior. These instruments also feature French pointed key arms and a split E mechanism at a very competitive price point. If you purchase or rent one of these instruments from now until June 30th, you will receive a $50 mail-in rebate Visa gift card from Yamaha. Inheriting the many merits of top-of-the-line Yamaha handmade

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be tackling some common questions and concerns that people have when they’re preparing to come and try a new instrument. Whether you have been playing for 1 year or 25, it’s really important to come prepared to test a variety of instruments to best meet you or your student’s needs. This can seem a bit daunting, though, so watch and read on for some helpful tips! Question: I’m coming in to try some new flutes. What should I bring? Answer: This is such an important question! In order to make sure we are setting you or your student up with the perfect flute, it’s really important to make sure that you are getting an idea of how the instrument plays and responds to your unique ability and playing style. The best way to do this is to bring some music, either that you are working on currently, or a piece or two that you are comfortable with. Scale exercises or etude books are always a good idea too, if you have them. We do have some music collections and etude books available in the flute shop as well; these may or may