2. The flute is not only one of the oldest but also one of the most popular musical instruments.
In the past thirty years the age of flute novices has lowered dramatically, so that
today, the age at which children start to learn playing the flute is no longer 12
years, but more often 5 to 6 years.
This change has led to two phenomena:
V V Use of unsuitable children’s flutes;
V V Far too early change or even start on a large, straight flute.
The necessity derived from physiology and pedagogics to design the
flute ergonomically at least for children led to the new development at
hand, the construction of an ergonomic flute which fulfils medical and
pedagogics requirements.
Assuming flute novices five to eight years old and keeping in mind that
the human body should be confronted with a normal large flute not earlier than at the age of twelve, we are left with a period of five to seven
years in which instruments suitable for children should be used.
In her diploma thesis „Ursache, Analyse und Prävention von Erkrankungen
im Bewegungsapparat bei Flötisten im Alter zwischen 15 und 18 Jahren“
(„Cause, Analysis and Prevention of Disorders in the Locomotor Systemof
Flautists Aged Between 15 and 18 Years“), Mag. Ursula Matejka, graduate of Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogics at the University of Music and
Performing Arts, Vienna, describes her own experiences as a flautist.
Mrs Matejka writes:
❝… I myself am a flautist and have grappled with this topic, as
I fell ill with cervical disc herniation in the autumn of 2004 and
have regularly experienced problems in the should and neck
regions. … Flautists are especially affected because of their
asymmetric posture. … An overlarge instrument in childhood can lead to later ailments
in the spine.❞
Approach to Solution
The approach to a solution lies in the construction of a flute
whose head joint curves downwards and upwards in the form of
an Wave Line, and whose tube can therefore be continued in a
straight line.
Based on studies on the influence of the material on the sound of
the flute, a convergence towards a constructional realization followed in separate steps of development.
Innovation Content
Construction of an ergonomic flute which fulfils medical as well as
pedagogical requirements
In the past three decades, there were a number of attempts to
make the flute more suitable for small children, among them flutes
with a U-curved head joint, flutes to be held askew and piccolo-like plastic and wood flutes. None
of these attempts met the qualitative requirements, neither the tonal requirements nor requirements
regarding the embouchure.
The development of a flute with the patented Wave Line head joint draws its uniqueness from the
shortening of the flute while maintaining the same pitch and continuation of the tube in a straight
line. This ensures that children learn the correct approach to playing the flute (the same as for a
large flute) from the very beginning.
Jupiter Flute With Wave Line Head Joint
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3. Physiological Viewpoint:
Dr. Bernhard Riebl, Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Rudolfstiftung Hospital in
Vienna, writes on the problem at hand:
❝ Musical-Medical Statement on the Project
Flute with Wave Line Head Joint
Due to the construction of the flute and the posture required to play it, the physical stress
for the players is significantly higher than for most other woodwind players. The primary
pathogenetic factor for the occurence of overtaxing of the locomotor system is the considerable asymmetry together with concurrent long lever arms. This results in a high static
and dynamic strain on the passive and active structures of the locomotor system; especially affected are the pectoral girdle, the cervical spine and the upper thoracic spine.
The most important disease processes directly connected to this are denegerative
syndromes of the cervical spine (from spondylarthritis to disc degeneration and disc
prolapse), segmental dysfunctions of the cervical spine ( ` o bstruction´ and hypermobility) as well as overstressing of the shoulder joints, including rotator cuff tears, periarthritis
calcificans and omarthrosis.
For the prevention and for rehabilitation concepts of these syndromes in musicians, ergonomical improvements could carry great weight (in addition to analysis of posture
and improvements of movement structure as well as muscular stabilization).
This is the approach underlying the concept of a flute with Wave Line head joint; the
stress factors are significantly reduced both directly and causally through a shortening
of the lever arms.
It is to be expected that a reduction in health and social costs can be achieved through
this substantial ergonomic improvement, both in prevention as in therapy. ❞
Overview of injuries through premature playing on a large straight flute:
V V Pulling the head towards the left shoulder
V V Pulling the left shoulder upwards
V V Evasion of the hip towards the right, contortion of the spine
V V Cramping of hands and fingers
V V Supporting the flute with the shoulder
Overview of injuries through playing on a flute with a U-curved head joint:
Strong torque of the flute, therefore …
V V Cramping of fingers and hands, since they are used to stabilized the flute and counteract
the flute's torque.
V V The fingers are used for two things at once and can no longer move freely.
V V Shoulders are pulled up, the head is lowered, pain in the hands
Pedagogical Viewpoint
Nowadays, it is vital to begin very early to play the flute in order to find career opportunities later on.
Additionally, even children and families without any professional aspirations choose an early start immediately after early musical education.
Jupiter Flute With Wave Line Head Joint
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4. Problem areas for a premature start on a large straight flute
V V constriction of respiration
V V constriction around the larynx
V V bad positioning of the fingers on the keys – bad fluency, fatigue in the arms – lowering of
the flute – pulling up the shoulders – bad respiration.
Problem areas for a flute with a U-curved head joint
V V The flute movies with almost every grip change, even when a professional plays on it. This
has a strong influence on sound formation.
V V Tone formation itself is always central to flute education since it is very difficult to form the
orbicularis oris muscle and the surrounding muscles in such a way that the air is directed
into the flute at an optimal angle.
If the instrument oscillates, it is impossible to learn a stable posture. Hence the maturing
process in this area is delayed; one could even argue that the flutist becomes accustomed
to diffuse sounds and categorizes them as good and normal. A sophisticated approach to
improving the sound is therefore impossible and complicates the later development process.
V V Since the fingers and tension in the metacarpus are used to counteract the flute‘s torque,
fluency is strongly impeded.
V V The habits thus acquired require a great amount of relearning at a later time.
Problem areas for piccolo-like instruments
V V Through the narrow diameter of riser and tube, incorrect patterns of tension and motion are
exercised and reinforced.
Modification of the mechanics
conventional mechanics
modified mechanics with finger buttons
V V Through observation of numerous children the positioning of the keys was improved.
Jupiter Flute With Wave Line Head Joint
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5. Results of the Flute Pedagogic Evaluation
It could be observed that …
V V Physical relaxation set in immediately;
V V Technical communication of a good positioning of the fingers was understood immediately
and could be implemented promptly;
V V All children described the feeling of playing as pleasant and relieving;
V V The teachers understood the problems of the flute with a U-curved head joint and their
negative repercussions for the artistic niveau;
V V The children‘s growth required varying flutes and an adjusted positioning of the buttons.
Positive reviews in professional musical journals followed,
recently also in ”Medizin populär“.
Under the title ”Ein Volltreffer“ (”A Slam Dunk“) Klaus Härtel wrote in issue 11/2010 of the journal
”Clarino“:
❝ … Olivier Tardy, flautist at the Bavarian State Opera, knows what flutes look like –
nonetheless, the tested instruments at hand are new ground to him. The first trial already
makes him rhapsodize: The ergaaaonomic handling of the flutes is the most outstanding
feature of these instruments. ´ I myself sometimes have back pains when playing music.`
Which is a also a consequence of the fact that holding a flute is not a ´ n atural ` position.
´A nd if I as an adult have these problems – how much worse must it be for children? ` The
solution: a shorter instrument so that children don‘ t have to reach as far. Azumi makes
a range of instruments available which follow precisely this principle. And, above all,
without musical losses.
…
Technical test
Christoph Knapp, woodwind instrument maker foreman of the Musikhaus Arthur Knapp
in Saarbrücken, is full of praise for the technical quality: ´ Both flutes came, saw and conquered! ` Both tested instruments were ´ completely above reproach ` .
…
Musical test
Regarding their musical quality, both instruments have made an impression on the tester,
as well. For example, the ´ swoosh ` which sometimes impairs the sound of ´ conventionally
curved ` head joints, is gone. … ❞
Why should I buy a flute with a Wave Line head joint?
V V Ergonomic and professional: it can be played like a conventional straight flute
V V Leaves the spine in a natural position
V V Shoulders remain relaxed
V V Finder position can be trained professionally from the start
V V No tense fingers
V V No overreaching of the finders of the left hand.
V V Early training in tone color.
V V Focused sound as a result of more exact blowing angle.
Jupiter Flute With Wave Line Head Joint
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