ok, I have an open holed student flute by a Chinese manufacturer I think (x.g) but the plating is wearing off the keys and the keys were the plating isn't worn are realy tarnished (and it has only stated happening since about 2 months ago) i have had the flute about a yer and a half and am abrsm grade 4 standard the head joint cork has also become really lose making the metal bit surrounding it rattle, as it only cost me £40 in the first place it is properly not worth fixing is it? (as it was bought to see if I took to it, but I like it so didn't want a new one before as i have got a nice tone on it) so i guess i will have to buy another flute the only problem is that i have a maximum budget of £800-£1000 ish and closed holes feel realy strange so the key would have to feel similar to open or actually be open, so does anyone know of anything nice that is in my budget i am not bothered about new or used but it would have to be shipped to the u.k so help please, i am confused and slightly clueless, a list if brands with the model numbers that would be in my budget would suite me if possible.
Re: in need of serious flute advice 11:00 on Sunday, May 17, 2009
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Account Closed (3248 points)
I think that it would be very wise to get another flute. You most likely will end up spending a lot more money than you should on repairs for your current flute. I will have to look around and see if I can find something in your price range. Since you are more comfortable with the feel of open holes then you might want to look into something like a Yamaha 261 or the older version which is a 265 (I think). The Azmumi line is incredible too. Perhaps you could find a used one?
thanks kara, for the advice, i will check for the azumi's on just flutes and places. I think the yamaha you have suggested is in my budget new so i will take a trip to the music shop in town and ask if they can get me one to try. i have seen a couple pearl flutes within my budget, would they be any good?
<Added>
just checked just flutes and this is what they have availible so i guess the next question would be which is the best long term purchase (as in which would take me furthest before upgrade and would i be able to just upgrade the head joint to get a better flute)
all have offset g, split e and open holes
Azumi az1000 (£575)
Pearl Pf505 (£450)
Pearl Pf525 (£525)
Trevor James Priviledge (£425)
Yamaha fl271ID (£5400
(All are silver plated)
or these are slighlty more expesive but have a solid silver headjoint (still same specs though)
Azumi az2000(£825)
Pearl Pf665 (£695)
Trevor James Cantible III (£695)
Yamaha 371UK (£895)
i wouldn't mind playing more to get one that would last alot longer but am really not sure what would be best in terms of value for money
I think the Yamaha 300 series flute would be very appropriate, the Yamahas have a great reputation for lasting a long time and being repairable. The CY headjoint standard on the flute is also a good one for learning tone development, which is probably the stage you are at right now.
I've also heard great things about the Azumi (tone development, scale, etc), but not heard anything about their (as Micron would put it) 'robustness'.
I would also caution you about your desire for open holes simply for how they feel. ANY different flute is going to take some adjustments, and with good practice habits should feel normal within 4 or 5 days. It might take a little longer, even, to get used to a new headjoint. I would advise you to pay more attention to how your HAND feels- can you reach the keys easily, do you need an offset G, etc. My own hand can deal with a plugged inline G, but the right hand has to have the last two keys plugged, or I can't comfortably reach the footjoint keys with my pinky. Pay very close attention to any discomfort, awkwardness, heaviness, because if you are going to put some serious practice hours onto the flute, you can damage your hands and body if the flute doesn't actually fit you. (I tried a friend's Sankyo and Muramatsu flutes that she ordered on trial, the Sankyo was fine but my right hand cramped up within minutes on the Mura.)
This is probably an excellent time to involve your flute teacher, or perhaps get a few lessons from someone who can help specifically with acquiring a new flute.
There's also lots and lots of excellent information here (along with some opinions, but opinions based on actual experience): http://www.jennifercluff.com/buying.htm
CY is brilliant cutting, actually a SIMPLE cutting, so you can put in whatever tone you want into it, you can be your true self with it!
very good cutting for orchestral playing too, some of my friend used Yamaha F-100 for over 10 yrs!
And I stand by Micron's comment of ROBUST! With Yamaha 211, with a nickel CY, I am very loud in the youth orchestra.
I was actually referring to (Micron's term of) robust in regards to how well a flute can stand up to wear and tear, especially within the hands of a young student/marching band.
<Added>
And the CY cut (as well as a hand-cut Yamagha CF head that I have) are excellent 'vanilla' heads- not too this, nor too that, but 'just right' in the middle and great to play, perform and learn on. It's like, by itself the 'vanilla' ice cream is good, but you can then do all kinds of things with it, add chocolate sauce, or raspberries, or even the whole banana split, according to your own taste :)
still it's good for students handling, some of my friendssssss here have used F-100/II and 221 and 211 for 5 to over 10 years, no much services, they loved Yamaha too....my 211 used for 1~2 hours daily for 4 yrs already, never been serviced or oiled or cleaned or checked, still works fine, I only adjusted the screws myself a few times only becoz the pads are compressed by my hard pressing.
You are so right, my uncle always told me he loves CF too, and some professionals here ordered specially the 881 (CY cut) instead of 884 EC cut!
You know what? LSO - the world's ranking no.4 orchestra in 2008~2009, its principal flutist Gareth Davies wrote to me 2 months ago on youtube, told me that he uses Yamaha too!!!
" Hi Pyrioni
I just came across your video. Sounds really good. Keep it up.
when Pahud came once a year, (the principal flutist of world's no.1, but now no.2 ranked orchestra Berlin Phil), he used our 221 or 211, he still sounded beautifully as well as his 14K flute! But he doesn't like steep cutting. he said that he doesn't like headjoint-cutting with steep blowing angle, he said that will limit the versatility and tonal changes, he said, in Berlin Phil or in any orchestra, they require him to make a lot of tone changes, so he prefers headjoints with SIMPLE CUT, me being a junior youth orchestras 1st flutist I felt exactly the same way as what he said, therefore, I have never used steep cut or high riser ever since. I am using Yamaha 211 with stock CY headjoint, maybe I will get a Powell in future.
thank you pyroni(sp?) i appreciate your contribution i am actually looking at a japanese 221 on ebay at the moment (as it is going for a good price) and i am glad to here it is favoured by so many people my flute teacher likes them too (she has an old student yamaha from about 30 years ago but still loves it to bits and she has an amazing tone on it too) i may get the one from ebay or another yamaha from there as at the moment they are going for not much
Re: in need of serious flute advice 14:32 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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Account Closed (3248 points)
The CY cut is good for a beginner, but I find very bland. You can't achieve tones and colors out of it as well as some. It needs more work to coax out a good sound. I have never been a fan of any of the Yamaha headjoints though, they are very limiting for an advanced player.
Leigh, you may very well like the Pearl line. I would just suggest you try one and see what you think. I think the only real limited factor on them might be the headjoint on the lower end series. Perhaps they have improved them since I have tried them. Suzie would be a good person to ask about the Pearl line. She is more familiar with them. Azumi is still my favorite. I find that they have a MUCH better scale and headjoint on them then on the Yamahas. Yamahas are notorious for having a funky scale and can be hard to deal with.
Re: in need of serious flute advice 14:38 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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Account Closed (3248 points)
my 211 used for 1~2 hours daily for 4 yrs already, never been serviced or oiled or cleaned or checked, still works fine, I only adjusted the screws myself a few times only becoz the pads are compressed by my hard pressing.
While I understand you think this is a good thing, It simply is NOT. It is not a good idea to advocate poor upkeep of a flute on a forum where a lot of people are still learning and may not know the wiser. It is NOT okay to let your flute go unserviced for this long period of time. You are lucky that your keys are still moving on your flute! That is downright being neglectful on your end for not having it serviced.
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