FluteLab also had a similar idea with their swan-style headjoints (I'm not sure which of these came out first) http://www.flutelab.com/
FluteLab used to manufacture all sorts of key parts for flute, saxophone, clarinet, and other instruments to allow for people with missing digits (fingers) and even folks with only one hand! I'm not sure why their other links no longer work but it appears as though they're mainly focusing on their headjoints at this point.
For whatever reason, Gemeinhardt used to make a few of the footjoints with angled clusters for the D#/Eb, low C# and low C keys to prevent any possible issues with the pinky strain of your right hand's pinky finger.
Here is a photo of an angled cluster on an open hole flute's B footjoint (found on one of the M3 models): http://foreverwoodwinds.com/bfootcluster.jpg
and, for comparison, a [crappy] photo of the angled C footjoint cluster on the 'J1' closed hole model [that Gemeinhardt can't seem to collect any information on]: http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/cimg9269.jpg
Vampav8atrix mentioned not playing anything below a D. Both Gemeinhardt AND Haynes had a solution to that exact thought in the form of a 'D footjoint'. http://foreverwoodwinds.com/haynesdfoot.jpg
I've, personally, found the more comfortable pinky clusters on German flutes-- take the Rittershausen for example: http://foreverwoodwinds.com/ritterfoot.jpg
The Rittershausen D#/Eb keys are usually teardrop shaped however the more comfortable setup was from the 70th anniversary model that I sold last year. Below is a photo of how the setup on Ritters. usually are: **LARGE FILE** http://foreverwoodwinds.com/ritterteardrop.jpg
Gemeinhardt made the J1 model by modifying a few keys and adding C touchpieces to other keys as extensions. I can provide more thorough photos of this is anyone would like to see exactly what I'm talking about.
That one flute is a little intimidating. I am afraid I might loose a digit trying to manipulate it. Very COOL!
I was joking about not playing anything below a D, but those are some really cool footjoints. It's kind of cool that Gemeindhardt made something like that.
I tried one of those BoPeep hand rests and my complaint is that it is too hard. I know that the flute is hard but it seemed as though my streathing to close the hole on the G key was even more exaggerated.
The thumb ports that I got from flute world are made of a kind of rubber. If they made a hand rest like that, I might be willing to try it again. I am still wanting an off set get flute of course.
The thumb port did help with the footjoint quite a bit. It keeps my thumb from bending backward and shortening the reach of my fingers. At least that is what I think is going on with my hands. It does help.
Can't wait to see what else you guys come up with.
Vamp, I don't care for any of those hard thumb ports and such either. I use the soft side of sticky back velcro and it is much softer and does the trick cheap and feels good.
I did make some flute key extensions in the past and if I ever find the CD that the pictures of them are on, I will load them in here. These are the only two I could find at the moment...
I have a Samick flute that has a very comfortable angled footjoint. It is interesting. The flute is made in Korea and I have never seen or heard of one until now. It is actually quite nice.
i have a thumb port and i love it! i have carpal tunnel and the position of where my hand is now helps alleviate some of the pain i have. for my left hand, i have a piece of moleskin padding. its so soft... haha
my next project: to cut a piece of moleskin padding to put on the crease of my thumbport to make it even softer. my only complaint about the thumb port is how sensitive the top of my thumb gets after playing for a while. but id put up with the sensitive thumb than the surgery id have to have.
I am with you on the Thumbport. I have developed a permanant dent in my thumb from it digging into my tender flesh. At least it isn't hard and has some give.
Someone needs to write to Bo Peep and tell them to make their product squishy.
And tell Gemeindhardt to start making those cool footjoints again.
squishy. reminds me of when i first got my license and my mom wanted me to get a car made out of jello and that every time it hit something, it would turn to jello.
i said no and made her change it to chocolate pudding. chocolate is better than anything.
Ok, I'm back! I'm FINALLY getting around to working on my friend's antique Gemeinhardt flute and took some photos of it last night (it's starting to pit everywhere!). Here is a link to pictures of this flute in relation to the key modifications done by Gemeinhardt around the 50s or so. http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/gemj1.html
Here's a Kohlert (German) flute I had a few months back which had the German-esque soldered-on left hand rest as well as a crutch assembly (the T-shaped piece): http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/kohlert.html
Wooden flutes, on a whole, seem to be more comfortable in your hands (or mine anyhow!) due to the thicker bore and etc. although they also were manufactured with crutch assemblies. Here are some photos of a wooden Amati flute I had (minus crutch) a few years ago: http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/amati.html
The crutch, although a somewhat good idea, seems to be uncomfortable as it sticks out too far and I couldn't even imagine how it'd be to try and play a flute with a crutch and small hands! Bass flutes also have the crutches however I think they take some time to get used to. Here's a vintage Armstrong bass flute I sold for a friend a few years back: http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/armstrongbass.JPG
There's the Armstrong 'Murray' model flute which had ALL SORTS of funky modifications. I don't even know what is where on this flute but I think it had a reversed D#/Eb (a.k.a. open D#/Eb) and open G# as well. http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/armstrongmurray.JPG
Below are links to two different pictures of people and their flutes. These pictures were saved from the FluteLab site when it was up and running to show their modifications.
This first photo was of a woman that had some sort of nerve damage (if I recall correctly) and couldn't work her fingers on the keys like she used to. Don't ask how but they modified some sort of contraption to enable her to play the keys that she was unable to prior to their mod. http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/Editfluit2.jpg
The next picture shows a young girl with what appears to be too many fingers?! on her right hand. Check out the size of the D key and the setup for the left hand pinky keys to allow the girl to play the previously-unable-to-reach D#/Eb, low C#, and low C keys: http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/flu12a.jpg
AAND *high-five's self* I miraculously saved a photo of the girl's flute (from the FluteLab site, too): http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/flu12b.jpg
I'm not sure if this would really be classified as a modification or not but it's very interesting and scrambles my brain! Looks like a mix between a Pratten and Boehm and something more?! http://www.foreverwoodwinds.com/27mmmonnigleipzigdrgm660124.jpg
searching...
