The Benefits of Using a Flute Crown

Such small components like flute crowns cause significant changes in the musical instrument. And these changes aren’t limited to only a decorative aspect. When you incorporate any new part into your flute, it affects its sound and performance, resistance and general feel. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using flute crowns and how to enhance your style and sound with them.

What is a Flute Crown?

The flute crown is a small cap installed at the end of the flute’s headjoint, in the position, which is opposite the embouchure hole. Typically, they have a dome shape and feature a variety of finishes such as gold, silver, silver-plated, and brushed finishes. Today, you can also find crowns decorated with stones, offering even more unique ways to customize this significant part of the flute.

In addition to sealing the end of the headjoint and keeping the cork in place, a custom flute crown can create an absolutely different impression of the same flute model used by other musicians.

Why Musicians Buy Flute Crowns

Flute crowns are both practical and esthetical elements, which expand your artistic possibilities and help you stand out.

By buying flute crowns, you receive the following benefits:

• Personalization of your instrument
• Original design that fits your flute and brand style
• An amazing gift idea for flute players, from beginners to advanced musicians
• Improved playing characteristics of your instrument

Let’s delve into more detail how exactly flute crowns boost your artistic presentation and sound.

Personalization

Like other musicians, for flutists it’s important to set apart not only their playing style but also make a visual impact.  Customized flute crowns help players add some novelty to their beloved instruments, highlight their unique taste and bring a totally different vibe.  For instance, when the musicians use flute crowns encrusted with stones or made from gold their flute acquires a luxury feel, with which people start to associate a musician’s personality. 

Original Design

Flute crowns can boost the overall look of the instrument that can bring a lot of benefits for flutists playing in high-profile settings. Gold and silver flute crowns help their flutes look more polished with a good amount of sophistication. These models often feature floral engraving, which adds an element of elegance and demanding taste. Flute crowns encrusted with abalone or red ruby can immediately transform the flute into a centerpiece in any performance.

Memorable Gifts for Flutists

The aesthetic decorations of the end of the tube can become a valuable gift that flutists can’t overlook. Flute crowns with stones work well as Christmas, Birthday, and professional gifts. If you want to express your respect and attention toward your friend’s profession or hobby, flute crowns are definitely good options to consider.

Impact on Sound

Many musicians admit that crowns can not only affect fit and weight but also help center the sound. The material and weight of the flute crown can change how the instrument feels, even if these changes are slightly noticed.  Heavier crowns, made of gold or adorned with stones, may add some dark feel to the tone, while lighter silver-plated crowns can brighten the sound. Musicians often select these elements depending on their working settings. For example, flute players who play in orchestras may choose gold crowns as they provide a richer tone, while chamber flutists might prefer silver models for their brighter sound.

Improved Sense of Balance

Heavier models can help add the weight, providing musicians with a more grounded feel. This feature can be beneficial for flutists performing long concerts and those who seek more precision. There is also the idea that the material of the crown helps focus the air column as it passes through the headjoint, resulting in more precise articulation and better projection.

What Types of Flute Crowns Are There on the Market?

There are many options to select, since flute crowns vary in materials, design, and encrustations.

Gold Flute Crowns

It’s hard to doubt the luxurious appeal of gold. Gold flute crowns are all-time favorites among professional musicians. Compared to other metals, gold is denser, so in acoustical context it can provide more warmth, making the sound fuller and resonant. Gold crowns are typically designed from 14k, 18k, and 24k gold. The higher the karat, more warmth the flute crowns can provide.

Silver Crowns

These options have earned a reputation as an affordable way to enhance the sound and aesthetic appeal without spending too much cost. Brushed silver crowns can improve clarity of the sound, its projections and articulation, which make them ideal for musicians playing in ensembles.

Crowns Encrusted with Stones

Flute crowns encrusted with emerald, turquoise, lapis lazuli, abalone, tiger’s eye, and other gems work well as the way to highlight your demanding personality.  They can also provide the mystical vibe, as each gemstone has its individual history and meaning. By using stone-encrusted flute crowns, you transform your instrument into not only the extension of your personality but also a piece of personal jewelry.

Do You Really Need Flute Crowns for Better Sound?

You may not notice the huge effect on sound, however even small changes can improve the overall tone and responsiveness of the instrument. Depending on the material of the flute crown, you can add various weight to the headjoint and affect the balance, which leads to changes in resonance, articulation and tone color.

Positioned at the very end of the headjoint, the crown comes into contact with the air column inside the instrument. The air passes under the crown, where even small alterations in weight can affect the acoustic characteristics of the produced sound.

How to Install Flute Crown

As these elements of the flute are easily replaceable, you can quickly fit a new custom crown instead of a standard one on top of the cork at the end of the headjoint. You can even switch between crowns depending on the concert setting or genre in which you play. In general, flute crowns are awesome custom parts that help you personalize your instrument and change sound without any fundamental changes in the build of the instrument.

Conclusion

Although some musicians may consider flute crowns small, unnecessary components, they can affect visual appeal and acoustic characteristics of the instrument. Made of gold, silver, or decorated with stones, they help stand out from other fellow musicians by providing you with a unique personalization. Depending on their weights, they offer slight changes in sound by making it warmer, brighter or more centered.

In addition to gold, silver and stone-encrusted crowns, on our website you can find many other accessories for flutes to improve your individual style or buy a gift for flutists.