Curved flute necks

[Sax_on_legs]

What difference does curved flute necks make? Do they affect the sound or the intonation at all? Are there any negatives to using them?

[Gordon (NZ)]

As far as I am aware, ANY severe curve in the body of ANY wind instrument (including sax) can have acoustic anomalies, perhaps resulting in certain notes being a little unstable or having a different tone.

The balance of a curved flute is more precarious, because it is inherently more unstable. However players seem to get used to that. Many doublers find a straight flute difficult enough to hold without it being more unstable.

[bruce bailey]

The only curved heads I sell are for little kids that take Suzuki. Some Jazz players think they are good, but it is really a false sense as it seems to put the sound "in your face". I must agree with Gordon that anytime you put a curve in something it will disrupt the sound. On Alto flutes that I sell with both heads, the straight heads sound better, but for long playing times or in a pit, the curved is more tolerable.

[Dr G]

On an alto flute, the curved head has a profound influence on the balance of the instrument - it shifts the weight from right to left. It also kills the third octave and alters intonation throughout. That aside tho', some prefer it. (I prefer the straight head.)