abstract: Although many of the effects of the flute’s design and mechanisms have been previously studied, the flute’s stopper remains relatively unexplored. Stoppers are traditionally made of cork, are used to seal the upper end of the headjoint tubing, and determine the overall intonation of the flute. However, new stoppers made of different types of materials have been created to serve an additional purpose: to improve various aspects of player performance. These new non-cork stoppers vary in design and material, and claim to improve players’ projection, resonance, response, and other qualities. This research project discusses the history of the flute’s stopper and its functions, usage, and effects to improve general stopper knowledge and assist flutists interested in trying or purchasing non-cork stoppers available today. Because only three small studies have been published on the stopper’s acoustic and perceived effects to date, two single-blind experiments were conducted to determine the stoppers’ potential acoustic and perceived effects on listener and player perception. Five of the most popular stoppers available today were tested: the Bigio Stopper, Celestine Rexonator, Seidman Flute Stopper Plug, Swap-Stopper, and the traditional cork stopper. To determine the stopper’s acoustic effects, which can be quantified, an acoustic experiment was conducted to investigate the stoppers’ effect on intensity in decibels (which correlates with perceived loudness) and spectral centroid in hertz (which correlates with perceived tonal brightness). Perception tests were conducted to examine how both players and listeners perceive the stoppers’ effects on projection, response, tone quality, and timbre. The results of these experiments will help flutists better understand the effects of the stopper and navigate the stopper-makers’ claims about non-cork stoppers available for purchase today. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2020

A well formed embouchure and a good tone quality are vital for any flutist. This study is a detailed guide that includes general information, influences and perspectives on/about embouchure and tone for the flutist. Information is provided on how to form a proper embouchure, the relation between embouchure and tone, the purpose of the embouchure and the role of different body parts in a) forming a proper embouchure and b) manipulating the embouchure whilst playing. The anatomy of the human body and its relation to embouchure and tone is discussed. Pictures of the different muscles involved in flute playing, muscles of expression and the anatomy of body parts that influence embouchure and tone, are presented. Flute teachers‟, performers‟ and students‟ perspectives on aspects relating to embouchure and tone, are provided. Diseases, medical conditions, medicine, physical attributes and infections that can influence embouchure and tone are investigated. A discussion of the influences that flute options have on embouchure and tone is included. These options include open- or closed-hole, B or C footjoint, materials, wall thickness, split E or E ring, open- or closed-G#, pads, headjoint design and flute scales. There is also a short discussion about embouchure on big flutes. AFRIKAANS : 'n Goed gevormde embouchure en „n goeie klankkwaliteit is van kardinale belang vir enige fluitspeler. Die studie is „n gedetaileerde gids, en bevat algemene inligting, invloede en perspektiewe op/oor embouchure en klank, vir die fluitspeler. Informasie oor hoe om 'n goeie embouchure te vorm, die verband tussen embouchure en klank, die doel van die embouchure sowel as die rol wat verskillende liggaamsdele speel in a) die vorming van die embouchure en b) die gebruik van die embouchure tydens spel, word voorsien. Die anatomie van die menslike liggaam wat verband hou met embouchure en klank, word bespreek. Prente van verskillende spiere betrokke tydens fluitspel, spiere van ekspressie en die anatomie van die liggaamsdele wat 'n invloed het op embouchure en klank, word voorgestel. Fluit onderwysers, voordraers en studente se perspektiewe rondom aspekte wat verband hou met embouchure en klank, word voorsien. Siektes, mediese toestande, medisyne, fisiese eienskappe en infeksies wat embouchure en klank kan beïnvloed, word ondersoek. 'n Bespreking van die invloede wat fluitopsies op embouchure en klank het, is ingesluit. Hierdie opsies sluit in oop- of geslote-opening, B of C voetstuk, materiale, buis dikte, gesplete E of E ring, oop- of geslote-G#, kussings, kopstuk ontwerp en fluittoonlere. 'n Kort bespreking in verband met embouchure op groot fluite word ook ingesluit. / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Music / unrestricted