Flute Headjoint Cork Demystified (How to Know When You Need a Replacement) [Flute Tips & Tricks 04]

How to test your headjoint cork and know when it is time to replace it. Learn about the function of the headjoint cork assembly and how to recognize when it is time to change this mysterious part of the flute (e.g. how to tell when your headjoint cork is too loose or has softened due to water damage). A faulty headjoint cork can negatively affect your tone quality, articulation and intonation so test your cork today if you haven't recently, and get it changed professionally!
Flute Tips and Tricks, Episode 4
🤷🏻‍♂️ How aware of your headjoint cork are you? Do you get it replaced regularly?
🎥 FLUTE HEADJOINT CORK REPLACEMENT VIDEOS:
Burkart: • Replacing a Flute or P...
J.L. Smith: • FLUTE HEADJOINT CORKS ...
(p.s. I get my replacement headjoint corks and tools from J.L. Smith)
ABOUT MY CHANNEL:
My goal with this flute channel is to inform and inspire your practice, whether you are a developing flutist, an adult amateur, flute teacher or just a lover of flute music and all things flute. Subscribe to my channel ( / lancesuzuki ) for more flute reviews, tutorials, tips and tricks, as well as live performances of etudes and other flute repertoire.
💕Great Flute Etudes (Best of): • Favorite Flute Etudes
💸 Budget Flute Reviews: • Cheap Flute Reviews
🤔 Flute Tips and Tricks: • Flute Tips & Tricks
🎶 Melodious and Progressive Studies for Flute • Melodious and Progress...
ABOUT ME:
Flutist Lance Suzuki has been consistently praised for his "gorgeous flute tone" (NY Times), as well as his "captivat[ing]" (NY Concert Review) and "mesmerizing" (NY Classical Review) performances. As a chamber musician and soloist, Lance Suzuki has appeared at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Marlboro Music Festival, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the 92nd St Y and live on NPR's Performance Today. A committed educator, he serves as President of the Hawaii Flute Society and teaches students of all ages and abilities. Find more about me at www.lancesuzuk....
MY GEAR:
Brannen Brothers 10K Rose Gold Flute (Lafin Headjoint, Silver Mechanism, Split E, C# Trill)
Recorded with Shure MV88 for iPhone: amzn.to/2LVH6sE
Lighting: amzn.to/33Bby5s
ONLINE FLUTE LESSONS: www.lancesuzuk...
#fluteheadjointcork #flutetipsandtricks #flutediy

[@Invisible_Hermit]

60 year old new flute player here; this video was truly fascinating and informative! Just using the speakers on my tablet, I could hear a huge difference between the old and new cork. Your articulation sounded much crisper, and the sound was brighter. Your playing was magnificent. 🙏 I had just swabbed out my flute after practice. Having previously read about the need to be careful with the head joint, I knew not to push too hard with the cleaning rod. I did feel a bit of resistance, but stopped immediately. How do I know how much pressure is safe, especially since removing moisture from that area is so vital? Thank you for posting all these great lessons, Lance. My wife and I love how so much gets tossed over your shoulder! 😂

[@ashleya1872]

I don't play the flute so I didn't even know the flute had a cork, so this video was full of new information. Thanks for sharing!

[@Choosefaithnotfear]

I’ve played for a few decades and never knew that.

[@aikot.8816]

I've played for 8 years and just found out because I have to replace mine now lol 🥲

[@jeffzubel2151]

Hi Lance! Thank you for this video! Very informative and helpful! 👏

[@LanceSuzuki]

Great! Thanks for watching!

[@danicampbell402]

Thank you! I keep thinking all my issues are all me. Time to see the repair tech! Had no idea this needed to be done.

[@LanceSuzuki]

👍👍

[@shubhamsonawane8377]

Wow! I didn't knew about the cork but I thought that there was a metal sealing

[@michaelmandak]

excellent demostration! Thank you very much!

[@LanceSuzuki]

Thanks so much, Michael!

[@shubhamsonawane8377]

Yes I hear a difference in the melody of the sound

[@lifesamusicalKE]

I have never seen the head joint cork outside the flute (don't know why I haven't even googled it before!). I will definitely try the spin test and the airtight test on the old flutes at school. I'm sure to get some spins and zero pops since some have missing crowns!!!!

[@LanceSuzuki]

Yikes! No crowns? Maybe you should learn how to change the corks yourself? The video links in the description are very good...you just have to find the right tools.

[@TheMerovingienne]

This was great! Thank you for the simple tests.

[@sirlouisvillasanastvchanne7446]

Thanks for the info. I got my flute just a week

[@houstondma2254]

Thank you for all of this excellent information! I have returned FOUR Jean Paul flutes and am looking for another flute to try. I think, based on your reviews, it will be the Glory flute, and I'll see how I like it. I am looking to play for the first time, and have been waiting since I mistook the flute for the clarinet in the 3rd grade and ended up playing the clarinet. Thanks again for all of the information!

[@LanceSuzuki]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@darrenchaisson9352]

Absolutely awesome video! Thanks

[@witchyvegan]

Very informative video thank you!

[@LanceSuzuki]

Great! Thanks for watching!

[@fltwwq]

Hello Lance, thank you for this informative video. You mention that you change your own corks. Please could you list the tools you use? I am esp. interested in the equipment you use to sand the cork to fit (the videos referenced do not elaborate). What motor, chuck and speed controller wiuld you recommend in a reasonable price range?

[@lauraaustinwiley]

Thank you!

[@lucyyockey]

Excellent informative video! Do you have a preferred supplier for corks?

[@LanceSuzuki]

I have been getting my corks from J.L. Smith online. I'm usually quite happy with the quality. I order about 20 at a time.

[@wongeekeen7214]

Impressive, you can replace the headjoint cork. I had mine changed by a technician here in Singapore a month ago for S$30, and, indeed, the low and high note were easier to reach.

[@LanceSuzuki]

$30 is a great price for a HJ cork change. Thanks for watching!

[@jorgemartin5093]

Hello! Can you tell us about the new thing invented to replace the cork and leave the flute uncorked. I don't remember its name. It's silver, gold or platinum made. It has some kind of rings. They say the flute will sound more focus with it, with a better tone, better dynamics, a more colorful tone. But i really doubt about it and i think it is more marketing that anything. Why the great brands of flute don't install them into their flutes if it is a better thing than cork?? Thank you and i congratulate you because your channel. You explain everything about flutes with exquisite dedication

[@LanceSuzuki]

I think you're talking about the Bigio Crown/Stopper. I've tried them before, but that was quite a few years ago. I have to say that I prefer cork. Flute makers have been using cork for a very long time and I think it's for a reason. I wonder if we will eventually switch to synthetic cork (like plastic wine corks)...?

[@jorgemartin5093]

@@LanceSuzuki Thank u for answer. If flute makers used cork forvsp many times i guess is for it is the better found material till these days.

[@xioler812]

hi lance, can you make a video on how to assemble a mendini flute?

[@LanceSuzuki]

Sure! Do you just mean the correct/safest way to put your flute together?

[@xioler812]

@@LanceSuzuki yes

[@amy_zuo_wang]

could you talk about recording the flute in another video? I noticed your equipment is in the description, but it would be great if you could elaborate!

[@LanceSuzuki]

Sure. Are you more interested in specific video/audio settings, or the process as a whole?

[@amy_zuo_wang]

Lance Suzuki I guess as a whole

[@kelleefiola1336]

Hello Mr. Suzuki, I have 3 so, so flutes-a Bundy, a Gemeinhardt & an Artley. The 1st 2 have no cork at all. Or, after looking at the Artley's cork...don't seem to have the entire set up you have just demonstrated. .I amhese

[@kelleefiola1336]

Sorry my phone is now not cooperating...your video was very informative. Thank you

[@LanceSuzuki]

Definitely get those corks checked out. It will make a world of difference for your flutes!

[@waifuulover]

My flute’s cork was all white, is that good?

[@LanceSuzuki]

White cork is ok. Sometimes corks come bleached. Other times they just leave them natural color. I haven’t noticed a significant difference between the two.

[@flutesmith]

I recommend you to use non-bleached natural cork...😂They are much better.

[@LanceSuzuki]

Agreed!

[@Choosefaithnotfear]

Cheap flutes are a great mechanical learning material.

[@LanceSuzuki]

Absolutely!

[@staciehahn9175]

I just bought an old silver plated Deford off the goodwill auction website.. my winning bid was $16! With shipping, it was delivered via fedex to my house today for less than $25 bucks. It plays, but not well. While it’s probably not worth getting professionally overhauled, it will be a good test subject on a budget. (It also gives me plenty of KZbin flute videos to keep me entertained all weekend!) Just thought I’d share my cheap flute source; they have tons listed, all at EBay style. :)