Fipple type headjoint assembly for use with existing transverse flutes

A flute employing a fipple type mouthpiece assembly permits the flute to be more easily mastered.

This invention pertains to a flute with a fipple type mouthpiece assembly. 
Typically flutes are played employing a cross-blown mouthpiece which 
requires the flute to be supported by both hands of the musician so that 
the flute extends laterally from the player's mouth. 
This awkward positioning of the flute as well as the cross-blown mouthpiece 
causes the flute to appear to be difficult to play. Accordingly, these 
features have caused the flute to be one of the least popular musical 
instruments chosen by children and other beginners. 
In general, as disclosed herein, a flute is provided with a mouthpiece 
assembly employing a fipple type mouthpiece element and an elongate, 
tubular member having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside 
diameter of the tubular playing end of the flute so as to permit the 
tubular member to be inserted into the flute with a sliding fit after 
removal of the usual cross-blown mouthpiece. A rib extends around the 
tubular member to engage the outer end edge of the flute at a position 
sufficiently displayed from the inserted end to permit the flute to 
support the assembly therefrom. 
The other end of the tubular member is inserted and fixed within the fipple 
type mouthpiece. 
In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flute 
with an improved mouthpiece arrangement to encourage beginners and others 
to play the flute. Also, this mouthpiece makes it considerably easier to 
learn to play the instrument. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved 
mouthpiece assembly which can be physically interchanged with the usual 
cross-blown mouthpiece while at the same time providing a somewhat 
different tone.

As shown in FIG. 1, an elongate flute portion 11 with its usual keys and 
vents includes an open upper end 12 formed with a rolled edge 12a 
therearound. A mouthpiece assembly 13 as shown best in enlarged detail in 
FIG. 2 includes a fipple type mouthpiece element 14 and an elongate, 
tubular member 16 having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside 
diameter of the playing ene of flute portion 11 so as to permit the 
tubular member 16 to be inserted therein with a sliding fit upon removal 
of the usual cross-blown mouthpiece. 
A rib 17 extending around tubular member 16 serves to engage the outer end 
edge 12a of flute portion 11 at a position sufficiently displaced along 
the inserted end to permit the inserted portion 16a to be engaged in the 
inner edge margin of flute portion 11 to support the assembly 13 
therefrom. 
The other end portion 16b is inserted and fixed within the fipple type 
mouthpiece 14 as by suitable means such as cement 18 or the like. 
End portion 16b includes an elongate slot 19 disposed along the top surface 
of tubular member 16 for passing a portion 24 of the wind blown into 
mouthpiece 14 as shown best in FIG. 3. 
Accordingly, mouthpiece 14 includes an air blow hole 21 in which the top 
and bottom surfaces converge progressively inwardly of the blow hole 21. 
Accordingly, blow hole 21 is tapered progressively inwardly whereby the 
mid-plane of the discharge end 21a lies substantially in the plane of the 
tip 22a of the air deflection wedge 22 so that the inward flow of air 
represented by phantom lines 23, 24 can be split by wedge 22 to bisect the 
incoming air flow for initiating the sound to be ultimately modulated by 
the playing of the keys of the flute. 
The air flow 23 is discharged upwardly through the opening 26 while air 
flow 24 is similarly discharged downwardly through passage 19 to pass 
through the hollow interior of tubular member 16 having a uniform 
cross-section throughout. 
From the foregoing it will be readily evident that there has been provided 
an improved flute and mouthpiece assembly which serves to provide more 
encouragement to young players and other beginners whereby it can be 
played in a more normal position in front of the players.