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92 Posts
Is there a way to increase volume of flutes? In a small combo setting, with 2 alto saxes, 1 tenor sax, piano, and drums the flutes get drowned out...
Yes, you could always mic it and run through either a small amp or the P.A. system.
Here's one option.
I totally agree with Kymarto. Exceptions are flutes with poorly designed heads, eg most Gemeinhardts (unless they've recently corrected their sins of decades.)... Almost all modern headjoints have the same maximum loudness IME; however achieving it can take very different blowing technique with different heads. The loudness is mostly dependent on the size of the bore and the tone holes, which is why a Boehm flute is so much louder than a classical 8 key instrument. Some early Boehm flutes with small oval embouchure holes are tricky, but most modern heads can all be played at around the same volume.
The EC head joint for sale on ebay is mine Bruce and there have been several offers the first time i listed, this is the 2nd time around. The first one over $400 will take it, a good buy seeing that it is like new, but I won't give it away to the low ball offers, I may just as well leave it in the drawer!Chage the headjoint. A Yamaha EC (one on ebay now at $500, no bids) iw a good one as is the Emerson "American" cut which has a sharply downturned front and really as loud as I have found. I can find a used one for in the $300 range or new for a bit more.
Beyond that, a mic. less other horns or a totally new flute would be your only choices. Piccolo should fry their ears.
I think it is fair to compare modern, well designed heads. A Gemeinhardt factory head would hardly be called that. (Unless they've made huge improvement recently.)Gemienhard has staunchly stuck to a rather poor head design for several decades. I'd call it fairly close to a dud!...I still contend that the head can make a grea difference in power. Same as sax mouthpieces. You can take a Gemeinhardt flute with a factory head and change over to a LaFin head and you will see a big difference. ....