Trevor James Privilege Flute - Shaped Lip - Silver Lip & Riser - Open Hole

Why choose a Privilege flute?

Headjoint options.

The headjoint is the most important part of the flute as it’s where the sound originates. So, a nice, shiny new instrument with a sub-standard headjoint will have substandard playability. This is why Trevor James have worked continuously to create the very best quality headjoints for their flutes and are proud to offer more headjoint options than any other student to conservatory flute manufacturer.

Trevor James understands how these options have their own distinct characteristics and can therefore make a big difference to your learning and playing experience, and so offer Privilege flutes with both CT & CS options.

This Privilege flute features a CS headjoint (Enhanced Design)

On the CS headjoint, the shoulders of the lip plate have been raised to facilitate a very free-blowing instrument. This makes it a little easier for you to explore the instrument’s lower registers and also offers enhanced dynamic possibilities.

Open Hole Design:

This TJ privilege flute features some open holed keys. Open hole flutes (or French Key Flutes) are often considered the choice of more proficient players, with many teachers suggesting that players of grade 6 standard or above invest in this type of instrument. Of course, there is no imperitive to play an open holed flute at a certain grade. Many professional players choose to play closed-hole instruments. 

However, an open hole design does offer a few benefits.
Firstly, it encourages better finger positioning, as you need to cover the holes exactly in order to get the ideal tone, and beginners - or smaller-handed players - will find this more challenging. 
Secondly, and more importantly, an open hole flute allows the confident player the opportunity to more precisely control their intonation, and experiment with more advanced techniques such as obtaining quarter notes. 

925 Silver Lip Plate & Riser:

Privilege flutes feature 925 silver lip plates & risers to give you the benefit of having an immediate & free blowing sound, especially in the lower tonal range. Using this precious metal helps to open up the lower register and gives a huge advantage over other intermediate level flutes because it’s not only easier to play in general, but it’s actually easier to get a great tone too. Plus, the ‘925’ silver delivers a warmer sound and an extended range of tonal possibilities. 

Hand over-cutting and undercutting of the embouchure hole:

The embouchure hole is a very important component of any flute as it’s where air is initially blown into the tubing. This is entry point for the instrument’s energy source.
If the embouchure hole is imperfect or uneven, the air cannot flow into the instrument smoothly which ultimately results in an imperfect and uneven tone.

Many flute headjoints feature machine-produced embouchure holes – which although functional – do not necessarily allow the flute to perform at its optimal level. Machine-production can leave rough and misshapen edges that mean flutes don’t sound their very best.

A perfectly cut embouchure hole requires an expert eye and human hands to ‘over-cut and under-cut’ the exact angles, smooth any rough edges and fill-in any irregular shapes.

The good news is that all Trevor James Privilege flutes feature hand over-cut and undercut embouchure holes. This extra attention to detail ensures that from the first time you blow into your new TJ Flute, you can be confident that every subtle nuance will be within your full control.

French-style pointed key arm mechanism:

Privilege flutes feature French-style pointed key arms.

The key-arms are the parts of a flute which connect the keys to the body of the flute. Traditionally reserved for much more expensive flutes, French-style pointed key arms feature an arm that extends to the centre of the key and helps to strengthen the mechanism, making for a stronger and tighter key placement, which means no leaks and squeaks

These key arms also result in excellent note intonation; reward speedy playing; and aid the development of faster techniques - so you’ll be well-placed to take on those more challenging pieces.

Silver-plated beauty, that will last:

You can be safe in the knowledge that Privilege flutes have a triple plated finish on their tubing. 

To ensure that the sliver-plating on your TJ flute will last a lifetime – unlike inferior instruments- Trevor James developed their own method of coating flutes. After much research they discovered that by copper-plating the nickel tubing first, the subsequent two (yes two!) layers of silver-plate are rock solid, giving you the most durable finish of any step-up flute. 

Heavy weight engraved crown as standard:

The crown is another piece of a flute’s anatomy that plays a crucial role in the quality of the sound produced. It acts as a plug that seals the top end of the flute and directs air – or the sound, if you like – down the flute past the keys.

A heavier weighted crown offers greater air resistance and therefore centres and focuses the airflow down the length of the flute more uniformly and efficiently - which results in a more resonant and responsive instrument. This is particularly important as your repertoire requires you to retain optimum tone when playing ever more tricky pieces. 

All Trevor Privilege flutes feature a heavy-weighted engraved crown as standard – so there’ll be no need to look for a crown upgrade anytime soon.

Setup in the UK by experienced TJ Technicians:

And don’t forget, each Trevor James Privilege Flute is crafted to exacting standards with the best components from around the world, with a final hand set-up in our UK technical workshops based in Kent, south-east England.

Quick Spec:

Responsive headjoint design 
Hand over-cutting and undercutting of the embouchure hole
Heavy-weighted engraved crown as standard
Pointed key arm mechanism
Triple-plated finish
Hidden adjusting screws
925 silver lip and riser 
French style wooden case
Fleecy lined case cover with shoulder strap
White gauze cloth
Micro-fibre cleaning cloth
Owner Guide
Hand set-up and finished in UK technical workshops.

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Silver-plated CS cut headjoint, Heavy-weighted engraved crown, Silver-plated body tube, Silver-plated pointed key arm mechanism, Drawn tone holes, A+442 pitch, Wooden case, Fleecy lined case cover with shoulder strap, 925 silver lip and riser headjoint, Closed hole key mechanism, E Mechanism, B Foot, Shaped lip.