 The Fingering Forum
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Author: miller
Date: 2003-09-03 19:55
i'm doing grade eight and i was wondering whether the b foot joints actually do anything useful
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Author: ~Heather ~
Date: 2003-09-03 22:34
I wouldn't get one. The ONLY thing that is usful on it is the gizmo key, I have survived without it. I don't like the B foots because it really weighs down the flute when you RARLY if EVER use the B key, AND when flutes play the B it's usually not even heard and if there is a part for a low B then there is usually another note that you could use instead(usually the G works)because all lot of flute players dont have a B foot so there has to be another option for them to play or you could move it up an octive or just when the B comes up skip it. I think the B foots are usless. But that's just me.
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Author: d-oboe
Date: 2003-09-03 23:25
What I've heard is that the B foot, and the "gizmo" key allow for better intonation in the higher registers. Of course it does allow you to play a low B, (which by the way is an awesome note on a flute) however, if you're only in grade 8 (or is that grade 8 conservatory..?) A c-foot should do you well for now. If and when you do decide to upgrade, the lack of a B foot on a professional model flute is almost unheard of. But as an oboist, that's all I know.
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Author: musichick
Date: 2003-09-04 00:47
About the gizmo key... what this does is make up for the extra length on the b-foot. If you look at what the key does, it closes the last key on the flute, the one that wouldnt normally be there. So, if you have a c-foot you dont need a gizmo key because theres nothing to compensate for. I hope that made sence...
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Author: ~Heather ~
Date: 2003-09-04 03:02
I didnt know that musichick, thanks! but I still think a B foot is usless and it may be a cool note to play, but will you ever play it, will it ever be heard? I don't think so.
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Author: richard
Date: 2003-09-04 03:24
The low B note is seldom played. But the notes from C to G on the lowest octave do sound louder and better on a flute with a B foot joint. Besides, a flute with a B joint looks more sophisticated and great as all professional players use them. That's only my personal view.
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Author: miller
Date: 2003-09-04 07:48
i'm grade eight ab examination, the royal school of music, england only diploma is higher
and i know the extra notes a b foot joint gives you can't be used very often but i wasn't sure what the difference in the quality in high and low notets were thanks for your advise
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Author: d-oboe
Date: 2003-09-04 21:20
again, to my knowledge, the b-foot allows for better response and intonation, and focus of tone in higher registers. It would function in the same way that other woodwinds put down their low C, or low B key, when playing high notes. If you were to upgrade, I would definitely suggest getting one with a B-foot. Also, some models of flutes allow you to switch back and forth between a C-foot, and a B-foot. that could be an option.
Tone is usually improved by the addition of a b-foot, due to the simple fact that the flute is longer, allowing the sound to resonate for a longer period of time. Ask a professional flutist what they think.
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Author: ellie
Date: 2003-09-20 15:14
I think it'd be well worth your time and money to get the B foot.
If you say it's useless, you probably don't know how to use it.
The obvious use is the low B. But that's not used often, and when it is, there's usually an alternate note, and theB is not heard.
But the foot joint makes most higher notes come out clearer. you can use the gizmo key on a bunch of high notes, and it makes them clearer. They pop out easily and brightly with a gizmo key. I love mine.
And it does sound better than if you use just a C foot instead. I can't stand my C foot joint. The flute just doesn't sound the same. Even when I use a C foot joint on the same flute as with my B foot joint... I just don't like it.
Sure, the notes will come OUT with a C foot joint. But they sound better on a B foot joint.
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