$80 (Amazon) vs. $29,000 Flute - Can You Hear the Difference?

Can you hear the difference between an $80 Nickel Plated Amazon Flute with my $29K custom 10K flute. Can you hear any differences between my cheap flute and my expensive flute? Musical excerpt: "Sicilienne" by Gabriel Fauré.
#amazonflute #goldflute #shorts
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✅ Mendini Closed Hole C Flute on Amazon: amzn.to/319lu3d
Nickel Plated, Closed Hole, C Foot, Split-E Mechanism
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[@LanceSuzuki]

To address a few comments, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as the old saying goes. In this case, it depends a lot on the needs of the player. For a student/amateur, a custom flute worth tens of thousands may not be worth it. I actually love this $80 Mendini flute and am amazed at how good it sounds. It can be an excellent choice for a beginner or occasional hobbyist...or for marching band. However, as a pro, the resonant sound and quality of the mechanism on my custom flute are everything, especially when I am playing with other fine instruments in orchestral and chamber music settings.

[@emjay2045]

Yes. “Richer sound” But the $80 flute was surprisingly good 👍

[@DROSTraceurADD]

I was thinking, "the difference does not worth 28.920$" but also "I may not hear it". But I didn't think about the orchestra setting. Still I'm really surprised and curious and I hope to reach that level of hearing sometime (or better not, because I'm not rich 🤣🤣🤣)

[@josephduncan6407]

I have a mendini flute because I just started band but I think it varies on the player and how "good" they are.

[@Spiderpig0381]

For $80, that is insane. Probably feels like driving manual, as you have to work more to get a similar quality sound, but honestly: my first flute - $600 Yamaha - sounded worse...

[@eirikheggelund]

They sound nearly identical. The difference in price does not reflect the nearly inaudible difference in sound.

[@MelindaMassie]

Nailed it! But I'll say this, the $80 flute sounded far better than I'd have expected for an instrument of that price.

[@LanceSuzuki]

It’s surprisingly good! Thanks for watching!

[@bqube8901]

@@LanceSuzuki it all depends on the player's skill level.

[@mariettegrange5351]

Exactly!

[@Secretsofsociety]

A good player can any flute sound good.

[@peterhaerens3014]

The cheaper instrument sounds not too bad, only because of this player's abilty to create a very decent sound probably on any flute.

[@justCommando]

Knowing that an $80 flute is capable of being that amazing, I will probably never upgrade from a beginner flute.

[@wowyok4507]

it depends more on the person playing the instrument. an more expensive instrument will help

[@timmura]

as a high schooler that upgraded my flute recently (school got money for new instruments), the difference is night and day. i would say that while my sound hasnt necessarily changed, the playing experience is so much better.

[@James-nr9gm]

I have a Yamaha student-level classical guitar that I got as a part of a kit. I've found strings that sound pretty good on it - not the cheapest but not the most expensive. I have experimented a lot with my nails. I have taken lessons and tried to take it seriously when I am mainlining music as a hobby. I have gotten compliments on my sound from people with far more expensive guitars. I know one day I might upgrade... in like, a few more years...

[@kayleetalkz254]

I know someone who plays clarinet and he said that he couldn’t hit any high notes before upgrading to a better clarinet and now it’s incredibly easy for him just because of that switch.

[@ayshortier]

Maybe some people like the A flute sound better.

[@puffy9257]

Moral of the story: upgrading an instrument is 99% for the player not the listener.

[@Hinghee123]

it feels beter when you play a better flute

[@AedanBlackheart]

​@@Hinghee123based

[@pablouuuu]

A bad violin sound awful

[@jnt6239]

Maybe ... and maybe upgrading the flute is for 1% of listeners.

[@Dell-ol6hb]

Depends on the instrument though, though you’re right generally that only people in the know about it would be able to appreciate any differences where the audience is not gonna be able to tell

[@patrickmorgan7913]

Lance, it just goes to show that you’re such a wonderful flautist, you can make any instrument sound wonderful!

[@LanceSuzuki]

Aww..thanks, Patrick!

[@Hinghee123]

Flautist

[@preykazoom6804]

B had much deeper and full sound than A

[@seashoreslimes9039]

Yup

[@BestKCL]

To me (a non-flutist) it sounded far less clean, so I guessed it was the chap one.

[@MM-pv5tp]

I thought the opposite. A sounded much fuller than B. B sounded more plasticky.

[@rodicapepescu4599]

the notes where different, can anyone actually hear the song changing ?! it scratched my brain the second time !! I liked the first one a lot better, the second time some notes were lower so it changed the song didn't sound so nice anymore

[@dp8460]

​​​@@BestKCLexpensive flutes tends to have texture, darkness and colors to their sound because of the softer metal used. Cheap flutes tends to be plain sounding, smooth and a bit pitchy and the sound feels like its coming from the nose for some reason because of harder metal used. The expensive flute will always be more expressive because of the colors of tones it can produce and quality of metal.

[@alyssaann1515]

B has a much more rich lower end. Your tone and playing so gorgeous regardless!!

[@cl-optix]

The first flute played, I thought sounds great. Then you played the second, 'nah, that's the $29k'. Shows how beautifully you play.

[@zzcjts]

A good player can make a same sound with different flutes. But the feelings are so different which only the player can tell.

[@flutemegan708]

I could tell Right away. The expensive one has a richness that comes with solid craftsmanship and precious metal.

[@ahabsbane]

The second was much warmer and very rich, that's a beautiful instrument you have!

[@deadgrass2299]

i find it interesting that the "cheap" flute sounds way better to me

[@Blokfluitgroep]

I liked it too. The high notes sounded almost like a dizi (the chinese? flute with a membrane)

[@Aerixes.]

exactly

[@JesusAlways1st]

They both had a wonderful sound. The second had rich tones. Actually, I favor the first one. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder maybe music is in the ear of the listener. ❤😊

[@Iammatindel]

Same🤷🏿‍♂️

[@it.iserwin]

Bro is playing different notes on both flutes... que??😮‍💨

[@yoonginterlude]

Flute player here, I got it right! I also played that piece, it's called Siciliana. The b flute had a more defined and deeper sound and I could really sense the texture of the sound.

[@RomeoEAG2ROMEOEAG2]

Ik right I’m also a flute player

[@Sofiyayer-qr9fe]

yess me too !!

[@christinaschramm-n.3156]

Oh noo....for me, the first one was the expensive one. Amazing the way you play it! ❤️

[@LanceSuzuki]

Thanks, Christina! ❤️

[@Alex-iu7dl]

I thought the sound of A was more pleasant to hear smh

[@o_o8140]

@@Alex-iu7dl its all opinion, but B was more clear and the low notes were full

[@Blokfluitgroep]

Maybe it's just the recording, but B really sounded more harsh for me (I used earphones). A however, sounded very nice. So, well played, that you can make such a "cheap" flute sound so nice. 😊

[@mashw]

​@@BlokfluitgroepI would agree, I also thought A was the more expensive one as B almost seemed like it had some sort of distortion/resonance as if it were made from a cheaper or less dense material. I wouldn't be surprised if B sounded better in person.

[@thomasdonio2129]

The second had more of roundness and warmth of tone. With that said, your playing--tone, pitch, phrasing, and texture were exemplary on both flutes.

[@teeniekat4865]

This is one of my favorite flute pieces, it was such a happy surprise to hear it!

[@muhammadshahmir3312]

What's it called?

[@Nymeria0]

I can hear the difference. Much darker and richer sound. The note changes were also more fluid. However, you do a brilliant job of covering up and making up the difference. Very impressive 😊

[@eastmarvista3267]

I always enjoy your flute comparisons! This one is very creative and imaginative. I have a smirk on my face because I purchased a inexpensive flute and inexpensive piccolo and love them. I'm a self-learning beginner flute student since September. You know you're the best!

[@LanceSuzuki]

Thanks so much! ❤️ I’m glad you enjoyed. I certainly had fun making it!

[@yvonneburdine670]

I guessed right. The resonance on the expensive flute comes through ever so slightly to my ears. Fun video!

[@LanceSuzuki]

👍 Thanks, Yvonne!

[@leejoycechung2162]

I think most beginners can start with inexpensive flute to get started but in the end I did notice slightly the more expensive one. But don’t let that stop you from starting your flute experience as I enjoyed both. I’m not a flute person....just love this channel. ❤️

[@LanceSuzuki]

Thanks, Lee!

[@kilo3989]

I don't play flute and listened with my eyes closed, so I didn't realize you had switched instruments! It's most important for people to pick instruments that they like the sound of and will let them express themselves as they'd like, I think. Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@shreck9980]

You make them both sound like amazing couldn’t tell great job 👏

[@Flavourgirlie]

The sound is mush warmer and rounder. But still the tone you can produce on both, respect

[@razorwhipqueen8972]

*squints* Sicilienne by Faure! Had to do that for a Solo performance this year :D

[@ianhogan7163]

Wow… the difference is incredible. I love finding this kind of knowledge on the internet, thank you for sharing!

[@brunonif4328]

Wow, usually there’s a small difference in these price comparison videos but i didn’t expect such a big resonance difference, even at the price range.

[@ziwelufefe8943]

I think it's a testament to the player. How good you make the Amazon flute sound

[@nightowl3868]

Is not just about the sound quality, it's about construction, durability and quality of materials.

[@GemTappX]

How is the construction, durability, and materials worth $29,000? That’s more expensive than a brand new car.

[@oonamorrioghanblackthorne]

As an amateur flutest I could tell not by the tone alone but how you played those notes signifying more dynamics and control.

[@jonhpf07]

I felt that the excerpts were equally played both in musicality and tempo so the consistency was spot on. I have come to have maybe a more refined ear and tend to like flutes or headjoints that have depth of sound and voice like qualities. I knew instantly the second one was the more expensive one...but, I feel one can go really far with a student flute especially ww doublers who might need a more manageable price tag to go along with their various other instruments. Great job Lance :)

[@LanceSuzuki]

Thanks so much. Excellent assessment. I agree that a cheap flute is a great solution for many. However, at the end of the day, nothing compares to a fine instrument. Thanks for watching and for your thoughtful comment! ❤️

[@nikolakowalczyk3536]

I knew it. B just had that beatiful smooth, crisp spound.

[@nathan94251]

Could not believe it. I was jaw dropped at the crisp sounds coming from the 80 dollar flute and I guessed wrong. After listening a second time I could hear the airiness of the first flute. You definitely did the instruments justice!

[@ashlynn1946]

The second one had such a full sound and you couldnt hear the air like you usually can. I wish i could do that lol

[@exceptionaltalentspc4954]

I'm so enchanted by the sound of the flute!!

[@cynax7757]

Wow. That changes perspective. ❤

[@traingirl09]

I am getting my first flute this week and plan on watching your videos as my main source of lessons. You have given amazing reviews and you just flute amazingly!

[@liamearnest315]

I feel like a good flute is also better as in the amount of work you have to use to produce a good sound

[@LanceSuzuki]

Very true!

[@Emilie191989]

The second one gave me goosebumps 🥰 and made me close my eyes. So beautiful and serene 😍

[@Maruiti]

I heard the first one and was like "ok this is the expensive one" then I listened the second one and was like "ok, this the expensive one, but this guy is so good he can make $80 sound like $29000"

[@lisahinds4785]

Yes, I did guess correctly. The richness of the tone of your custom made flute is delightful!

[@savagecalibre5178]

the second is refine tone ang has perfectly Good Control in Dynamics

[@CraigMansfield]

There are sounds I like in both. The expensive one sounds like it's got more going on inside it. The playing makes them both sound really nice.

[@Bandetta_]

As a flute player I thankfully did! Seeing the keys gave it away, but simply just the sound. I could tell with B you’d be able to do the micro tones, multi phonics, and slides on it.

[@SOUPDUMPLING9]

B it has a lot of emotion out in to it

[@janetkile1690]

as many have said, you sure made the $80 flute sound decent- the B is rich and colorful :)

[@FlyWithSergio]

You play so good. I am a musician and I didn't realize which is which. But I gess I'm not use to hear the differences. Nice job

[@Brayden_1-b7i]

The $80 sounded better than expected but it is still a easy to tell difference

[@carpediemarts705]

Guessed backwards. I was thinking the extra tones were the resonance of the brass. Guess it all comes down to the player and how they want to sound.

[@carpediemarts705]

Another lesson. Again guessed backwards.

[@alexloveday6430]

You can hear the keys clicking on the $80 flute 😂

[@adamstampley7207]

That was biggest difference I noticed was the key slaps. 🙌

[@susanclark2212]

I was shocked that I got it wrong! I'm just a hobbyist I guess. however, the Amazon flute I just got I'm returning. it feels less durable and also the keys clacked a lot. I I got a. refurbished flute from music store owner. I am pleased. It cost more but is a decent enough flute that I could sell it or give it to someone else in the future.

[@davidfinell3357]

There is a famous poem called “The Old Violin -The Touch of a Masters Hand”. You have demonstrated that the perceptively cheap and unworthy can be elevated to a tool worthy of respect and admiration. You fooled me. Well done.

[@LanceSuzuki]

Thanks so much, David! ❤️

[@BaritoneUkeBeast4Life]

I am not a transverse flutist, but I have been playing high end tin whistles and NAF for just over a year now so I consider myself a seasoned beginner. Even though I am still developing my ear for music and never played a silver flute, as soon as I heard the sound of the first flute, I knew immediately that it was the cheap flute. Then when I heard the second one it confirmed by suspicion on the spot. I could hear a massive difference in the tone. Very cool video.

[@Mr_Rockzz]

Bro spent his whole life savings on a flute

[@arlenegarcia5127]

Awesome flutist ! Regardless of the price, you can produce beautiful tone from both flutes. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@BenjaminHodges]

I got it right because you can hear the presses on A.

[@jazzboy]

You sound great on both, but the difference in resonance is very obvious. Great demo.

[@paulvu7189]

B is warmer and resonance.

[@jorgefernandez9010]

I did, but you are a hell of a player! You’d make anything sound great!

[@MrJshsedgwick]

The second one had way more body and depth to the sound.

[@luisdiaz6409]

Yes I can appreciate a quality professional flute sound

[@gotodieidiots]

the c# trill gave it away

[@teawithtams6596]

a good flutist can make a $80 flute sound like it's $8000

[@CthyllaMay]

me watching for the first time: theres no way A is the amazon flute that shit sounds too clean, im gonna go with B him: A is the amazon flute... *spits out cereal* WHAT

[@0miyage]

No, the tone of B was too dark, too rich/full/warm to be a cheap flute one. A is clean but B sounds like gold.

[@OliverArchibald-p9d]

That security was so happy to meet you what a great guy.

[@adarshgangwar2285]

the first one sounds better than than the expensive one.

[@peterhaerens3014]

Can you tell me exactly which aspects of the sound seem to be better in your opinion on the 1st one?

[@gatsbylight4766]

@@peterhaerens3014 I can answer that: Listen to the very first 2 notes of "B" - the notes cracked and had the "hollow cardboard" sound [specifically you can hear more overtones in each note]. _After_ I realized this difference, I said I BET the expensive flute is open hole; versus closed hole for the $80 flute. I went back and looked, and of course that is correct. For players who are used to hearing open hole flute, they are usually biased to that sound, and this would explain why so many comments chose "B".

[@Chillin.n.chattin]

As someone you just wants to learn play flute casually as a hobby i glad to hear that an 80$ flute is capable of sounding like that!

[@SK-waffle]

I chose the $80, damn it! :)

[@mightymint4521]

You just saved 28,020!

[@0miyage]

@@mightymint4521 Not exactly ... There is realy often bad surprises when you get a low cost flute. Plus it will be much more difficult to play for a beginner and it won't last as longer as a YAMAHA YFL 282 for instance. Oh, and last but not least, a good technician will not be able to maintain or repair it properly (adjusting the headjoint, most of the time no spare parts, impossible mechanism adjustment/tuning ... ) ...And it can be dangerous and illegal (because of lead in the weldings, for instance...)

[@0miyage]

If I were a beginner, I would chose a $700 flute, or as near as possible, but not much more expensive.

[@gatsbylight4766]

Don't worry... so did a *whole lot more* other people in this comments section who are afraid to be honest.

[@patrikberti]

The sound was WAY more warm and clear in the second one, it was an obvious difrence :)

[@Behzad1986]

Absolutely A

[@WayaAskin]

Wowwwwwwwww, what a gorgeous sound! I did guess correctly. I would have been a child prodigy if I had been recognized & channeled properly, but I wasn't. I tried to take piano lessons from my mom, who told me, "Real musicians don't play by ear." I couldn't learn to read the notes bc I'd been hearing the same songs from other students since I was a baby. I got a guitar at age 16 & taught myself to play. I've been playing for almost 50 years now. I'm still playing, still learning. Thank you. I love this song! My mom had one student who also played flute & they did this together. I don't remember the title; it's Ravel, isn't it?

[@FALAUT101]

The difference was not worth $28,020!

[@waluyajaya2766]

Agree

[@Altoclarinets]

The difference is clear, but you make them both sound very good!

[@tysonb3568]

I could tell, im not a musical expert but what I heard was more wind noise (for lack of a better phrasing) with first, and it was pitchier. The notes on the 2nd had no pitchiness…..to my ears.

[@IvanRx76]

The different in price, definitely will show up when the 80 dollar flute falls apart and die like my cheap flute did. 😂

[@sadyelotempio1572]

I could hear in the first flute that the keys were more noisey due to probably the padding being off a little while the other flute there was no noise at all and it was quiet and smooth all the way through

[@AvgeekLMML]

I have an Altus 901E from 1994 £3000, It plays like a beauty, I also have as a backup a £500 Yamaha student flute and they feel super different

[@AIejandrino]

I just so admire the way you make sound both of them. The way you touch it, it's exquisite how the warm sound of them caress your ears. At the same time, it's quite hard to guess properly. May I ask what is the name of the piece that you are playing?

[@LanceSuzuki]

Aww thanks! ❤️ This was Sicilienne by Fauré.

[@prism223]

IMO it's easier to tell the difference in sound in person, as it seems like most microphones can't quite preserve the frequency distribution and dynamics.

[@havocmangawip]

I am just glad I had a really nice 3SB Gemeinhardt to train on. And wear out. Beyond excited to have a Sonare 705 now.

[@jadamane]

The no blinking with the state creeps me out , but thank you for the comparison

[@ertyjko9188]

I personally thought the first one was more expensive!😅😅 I think the $80 still sounds better...😂😂

[@spectralscytheearnheart2812]

The tone and sound of the flutes have a very huge difference and knowing which one is the more expensive one

[@Abby-r6s4j]

As soon as I heard the second flute I knew it was the more expensive one. The 2nd one had a better tone quality and sounded warmer and the 1st one. The first one sounded kinda closed off like it wasn’t resonating very well. Also I play flute so it’s nice to be able to train my ears with things like this!

[@loafofcorgi8225]

To be fair, Sicilienne is such a beautiful piece and can sound amazing on any flute with the right player.

[@BryanD2719]

Wow $80 sounded surprisingly really good! Great option for someone on a budget

[@crustycheese6873]

Nice playing. Im working on Sicilienne on Tenor Sax

[@Honestly_Speaking_Gods_Truth]

You’re an amazing flutist. My goodness. I think you’re the cheat code hear. However the key smoothness was the main thing for me. I could hear it in the cheaper flute. The expensive one actually sounded keyless. Beautiful playing

[@LouisFrayser]

That's amazing. I actually chose the 1st one because I think you played them a little differently. I'm still on the fence about whether to maintain a higher quality flute or to just buy the cheapos which usually sound better in the lower register, and last longer before needing maintenance.

[@timmura]

B has a darker and warmer tone color, but i think that's because its gold. Both sound amazing and would be suited for different things.

[@fluteaboo]

Wow, it sounds way, WAY better! 🤩 Can you please share which flute the $29,000 flute was?

[@ryeanj.3693]

The custom was warmer but both sound great with a great flutist

[@Richard-si3sr]

U made both sound perfect

[@guillermoalejandrogamboafe462]

The expensive one's vibrato sounds better and has more depth and the sound is softer, but if you don't pay a lot of attention you can barely notice, that requires a great player, you are amazing

[@roysaxman.]

I can definitely tell the difference hearing them both together. Had I heard them separately, probably not.

[@djboo7779]

I think that in person the nuance of the expensive flute would be more noticeable. Especially for wind instruments on a phone set up the subtle tone qualities can get obscured but for the purposes of this video the 80$ flute rocked it!

[@tomilolarukayat8847]

I love the tone

[@osirisone6019]

That epicanthic fold is poppin bro😊

[@amenhotepreed4430]

The expensive one causes my spirit to vibrate in my chest. I felt the correct answer.

[@provedevilwrong]

This was by far the cleaver way to identify best instrument.

[@willistaylor4077]

Goodness ! You make both Flutes sound Beautiful ! 💕💕🎵🎵

[@LanceSuzuki]

Thanks so much! ❤️

[@flutistayush6603]

It's not about cost of flute its about the experience and passion regarding playing flute ❤❤