Development of the Waveline flutes
Both, the physiological and pedagogical demands in the field of flute playing led to the development of an instrument ergonomically adapted to young flute playing children.
With children taking up the flute between the ages of 5 and 8, and assuming 12 years old to be the earliest possible age at which a child ought to progress to a conventional instrument, these ergonomically designed instruments will be played for up to 7 years.
In her diploma thesis “Cause, Analysis and Prevention of Disorders in the Locomotor System of Flutists Aged between 15 and 18”, Mag. Ursula Matejka, graduate of instrumental and Vocal pedagogy at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna describes her own experiences as a flutist: “I myself am a flutist and have coped with this topic as I fell ill with cervical disc herniation in the autumn of 2004 and have regularly experienced problems in the shoulder and neck area.
Flutists are especially affected because of their asymmetrical posture.
The use of an overly long instrument can lead to ailments in the spine later on in life”.
Method of Problem Solution
The construction of a flute with a head joint curving downwards and upwards in the form of an “Omega” presents the solution to this problem.
The flute can still be played in a straight line, but its length is reduced significantly.
Development of the instrument was taken step by step on the basis of research on the influence of the construction material on sound production.
Child playing a flute with “Omega” head joint
Conclusions of the Research
The construction of an ergonomically shaped flute fulfilling both medical and pedagogical requirements.
In the past few decades, numerous attempts were made to turn the flute into an instrument better suited for children.
Flutes with U curved head joints, flutes to be held at 45 degrees downwards, as well as fifes and piccolo-esque instruments made of plastic or wood were among these attempts.
However, none of these instruments met the qualitative requirements.
A suitable sound quality and the required ease in tone production for a beginner’s instrument could not be introduced.
With the development of the flute with the patented “Omega” head joint, children can now start learning this instrument with the correct approach (just as it would be with a conventional straight flute) from the very beginning whilst maintaining the same pitch and the continuation of the tube in a straight line.