Helping Waverly Choose Her Next Step Up Flute - FCNY Sponsored

[@kimberlymansi8677]

My Fave was The Powell the tone I loved thanks for sharing Waverly. My daughter has the Amadeus but u sounded great on Powell

[@DoctorFlute]

Awesome! Thank you! I think the Amadeus is a great instrument as well. How old is your daughter?

[@hermionemouse]

Great video! I thought she sounded best on the Haynes. It’s so much fun trialing and picking out the flute that becomes your own. I did that last year and the Di Zhao 700 was the one for me. May she have many years of making wonderful music on her new flute!

[@DoctorFlute]

Thank-you!

[@julierocketqueen6257]

This was such a fun video to watch!!! I don’t always notice the difference between flutes without someone demonstrating and pointing it out. Thank you so much for sharing, Waverly! Hope you love your new flute! It was awesome to hear you play 💜🎶

[@DoctorFlute]

Thank you Julie. I'll let her know your comments.

[@eastmarvista3267]

One of the best videos I've seen that goes into more detail on upgrading!

[@DoctorFlute]

Wow, thanks!

[@dcallan812]

Waverly is doing great, is good to hear the diffrences in the flutes she played. Its great taking that next step up. I remember trying more than 1 or 2 flutes, before I settled on my second Pearl. 👍

[@DoctorFlute]

Pearl is a fantastic choice!

[@dcallan812]

@@DoctorFlute It is I awlawy liked Pearls headjoints. My silverflute is off for an overhaul and got me thinking, I emaild Pearl, Japan to ask when my flute was made.It was hand built in Japan in November1984 and she is still normally great.

[@utbb2007]

What a wonderful idea for a video! To me, she sounded best on the Powell and the Haynes, but can't pick a favorite between the two.

[@DoctorFlute]

Glad you enjoyed it! I agree that both of those flutes were very equal. We finally settled on the Haynes.

[@kryzak123]

This was super helpful! I have a Trevor James 10x too! Waverly is so good already, definitely ready for a step-up flute. This will help me choose my next flute and I love all the details you added on what to listen for and look for!

[@DoctorFlute]

Thanks Bernie! I love all your comments.

[@kryzak123]

@@DoctorFlute And I love all your tips!

[@tyesoamazing]

Thank you for being thorough. ❤

[@DoctorFlute]

You are very welcome!

[@cheriereighard733]

How Exciting! Thank you Waverly for sharing your experience of selecting a new step up flute. You are so sweet and have a beautiful tone already. It's a wonderful experience to get in front of an audience or camera and perform. You've got guts young lady!! I recently went through the process of choosing a new flute from NYC Flute Center and it was great. I'm older than your mom! My best advice is take your time with each flute and get to know it. Be prepared to be surprised. What I thought was going to be my favorite was not the one. All the flutes had different qualities that I loved, but one I kept going back to and just felt right in my hands. It wasn't the most popular one on the web either, but I'm very happy with my choice. Enjoy the experience. Pick the flute that makes you smile and want to play. The good news is, with the choices you have, I don't believe you can make a wrong decision. Listen to your mom's/teacher's advice, but you make the final choice. I hope one of those beauties will speak to you! Have fun! Let us know what you choose!

[@DoctorFlute]

Hi Cherie! Thanks for you words of wisdom. I'll have Waverly read this later today. What flute did you pick out? What was the one you thought you would pick?

[@cheriereighard733]

​@@DoctorFlute My first professional flute purchased in 1972 was a Haynes silver head joint and body. She is still a beauty and I'll always play her. She is much lighter than the flutes of today and has a light shimmering sound. I was looking for flute which would allow a broader range of colors and dynamics. The flute that I thought I would pick was a Haynes Fusion. I trialed many flutes - Brannon Cooper, other Haynes, Maramatsu, Powell, Altus, and Lillian Burkart. All with multiple headjoint choices. I was in flute candy world! I knew I wanted a different sound. So some were ruled out because the sound was close to what I had. Other flutes were gorgeous, but were not practical for me at 68 because of the extra weight. I played a Brannon Cooper platinum flute that would melt a snowman. The sound was amazing. However, I couldn't play it for more than 10 minutes without needing a nap and massage! The Powell Flutes G# Key was not comfortable for me (Off-Set G model). The Lillian Burkart Sterling Silver Flute was the one I kept through 4 trials. Then I played the Lillian Burkart Pure Silver Flute with 14K Riser and Lip Plate and knew this was my flute. The key action was sooo smooth and I could produce a darker richer sound as well as bright and shimmery. I didn't want to stop playing it. For me it, I knew it was the one. I haven't regretted my selection of May 2021. - I love the videos of you with your daughters.

[@DoctorFlute]

That sounds like a fantastic flute! In fact, that sounds like the one I've picked out for that rainy day when I don't have to put 4 kids through college. I try it out every time I'm at a convention. Do you play professionally?

[@cheriereighard733]

@@DoctorFlute No, I don't play professionally. I went to Hartt College of music for 2 years. Then life took me down another path and I was a Sr. Business Analyst for many years. I have always played my flute but now that I'm retired I have more time for my first love. I'm truly practicing now and enjoying the journey to see how good I can get.

[@DoctorFlute]

I see. So many people have said very similar things. No time like the present!

[@robertjohnson3973]

Wonderful video! I read through all the comments and I’m glad she went with the Haynes! I, too thought it sounded large and played well for her. She will be amazed at how she will grow with that instrument. I felt the Haynes was #1 choice, closely followed by the Powell then the Di Zhao and lastly the Trevor James. I am beginning the process of replacing my stolen Gemeinhardt M3S (had it since 1986). I hadn’t really been considering Haynes Amadeus or Powell Sonare but this video has really opened my eyes (and ears)! Thanks so much for all of the great and informative videos you share with us!

[@robertjohnson3973]

Sorry, typo. I had the Gemeinhardt since 1976.

[@ViktoriousFlutes]

Congrats on the FCNY sponsorship!

[@DoctorFlute]

Thanks! It makes doing these kind of videos much easier!

[@christiannakihei9020]

Amazing teacher and student! I was wondering if the differences between the Sonare 501 and 505 is worth the price. I believe the 505 has pointed key arms which Powell says provides a better seal.

[@DoctorFlute]

Yes, I think it is worth it. From my research there is not much difference in the price (it was only about $100). I would pay that difference for the pointed arms.

[@TracyKMainwaring]

Gosh, she’s considering flutes at 13 that I didn’t consider until a mature adult. I wonder what I would have done had the internet been around 40 years ago! Now I feel like I really need to upgrade again LOL

[@DoctorFlute]

I'm with you! I played a lower level flute even when I entered college!

[@darcinda9249]

Great video showing exactly what to look for when upgrading from student to an intermediate flute. Nice job Waverly! From what I heard, I liked the sound of the Powell and the Haynes. I think the Haynes would give you more room to grow, but how it feels is certainly a big part of it. I play a Haynes Q-Galway, and I know your Mom likes/plays a Haynes, so there might be some bias there. If these are the final 4, narrow it to 2, and really play everything you can think of, really play around with it Waverly, your Mom's the expert here, so really consider her opinion. Whatever flute you pick, you will have fun exploring what you can now do with your instrument. Are you considering a Split E or C# trill key?? Not sure what the options are at this level. Enjoy the process!

[@DoctorFlute]

Hi Darcinda! Thanks for all your advice I will have Waverly read this. I do think we Haynes players are really partial to their flutes! I agree that it would be between the Powell and the Haynes. I have to admit the Powell was really nice. I love the Q series I think they are terrific instruments.

[@amirigur418]

I think the Powell Sonare had the nicest effect on the tone! much less airy and quite a bigger tone! the response was great and I really liked the low register. Plus Waverly said that the fingers felt nice and easy on the mechanism. I might be biased because I play on a Powell Sonare 905 (Arumite lip plate, crown, and barrel) but I really do think it suited her best!

[@DoctorFlute]

Hi Amir! I might agree with you. It did give her a great sound and the feel in the hands is important as well. Your Sonare sounds very interesting with the Arumite. Does the arumite give you a bigger sound?

[@amirigur418]

@@DoctorFlute I think the Aurumite allows me to have a richer sound with a bit of extra warmth but it doesn't take away from the size of the sound because it's not fully gold. That's what i love about it!

[@PhilipBuckmaster]

@@DoctorFlute Hi Angela and Waverley - lovely, interesting and informative video! I am 62 and started practising the flute seriously, passionately(!) in April last year, during the 1st UK lockdown. I played a bit as a teenager, but as I already was a pianist, organist and violinist, my school music teacher said I shouldn't 'spread myself too thinly'! Anyway, early last year I acquired an old (c.1920?) French Evette & Schaeffer flute from a friend, which has a really good action (closed keys) but not a great variety of tone colours and several tuning issues. I'd been thinking about upgrading for some time, and in July I finally tried out some intermediate flutes. After trying Pearl, Azumi, Altus, Yamaha and Powell, all around £1,800 (I guess about $2,000?), I finally choose the Powell. It's a Sonare 505 with the aurumite signature II lip plate. It has a wonderful deep, dark tone when you want it, all the way down to the low B, and a sweet upper range - plus it looks cool! But the down side is that the high notes are very resistant, especially 3rd oct F#, G# and high C, and I can't produce a 4th octave D at all, even though I can on my old flute. Now, that doesn't bother me TOO much - I probably just need to work at my embouchure! Probably more important, the action is quite clunky - nowhere near as smooth as my old French flute. Also the G# key is too light, but maybe that could be adjusted, BUT - I absolutely love the Powell tone, (aided by the aurumite lip plate) and that's why I chose it in preference to all the others I tried. (Interestingly, the 1st oct. C# is perfectly in tune, but the B is slightly flat.)

[@DoctorFlute]

@Amir Gur.V. , this really sounds like a fantastic instrument.

[@DoctorFlute]

Hi Philip, interesting journey. I would love to hear the sound on the old flute. I have heard that those old ones are quite beautiful. The Sonare flute is a great choice. I would hope that you will work your way to those 3rd octave notes. I don't think those notes are generally difficult. Perhaps you will need to open the embouchure a bit more and use more support. A lot of the times those 3rd octaves are difficult because the embouchure is too tight. What do you think?

[@joannebuchweitz8450]

You are really coming along well . The Haynes to me showed the most promise. It’s not just how you do today but how much this flute gives you to grow into. The Haynes to me was the all around winner. Second place was the Powell for the same reasons. The last to be was actually the Trevor James. It did nothing for the tone and didn’t seem like it would grow too far. The tone sounded more beginnerish to me and seems like there would always be struggles to hold you back. . Tone was better on the second one but too many struggles in the high register. I think it was more comfortable because it is most like your current flute. Best Wishes with your choice!

[@DoctorFlute]

Thanks for your fantastic advice Joanne!

[@hermionemouse]

Agreed re all four.

[@aspenx1304]

I love your Andalouse piece ❤️I had to find it and now I want to learn it ❤ I'm playing on a Trevor James Cantabile. Which is now called the Chanson. I love your flute choice though ❤

[@DoctorFlute]

Definitely play the Andalouse. It is a great piece that works on tone. I do love the Chanson TJ flute. I did a review of that flute and think it is a great choice. Enjoy! Coincidentally I just did an interview with the podcast Talking Flutes sponsored by TJ Flutes. It'll be out March 7th.

[@twinoaks4798]

Nice job Waverly! You have a lovely sound already. I love the openness and consistency of your sound on the Haynes followed by the Sonare, then D’anju, and lastly the the Trevor James. It is so nice that FCNY gives these trials so that you can spend some time getting to know each of these instruments. The Trevor James is probably most similar to what you currently play, so you can play it the same and see the biggest changes. As You develop your skills you may get the same results as you grow into your new flute. I currently play on a Powell Sonare. About two years ago I upgraded it by purchasing a used Brannon Headjoint which is similar to what I played in college (many years ago). Good luck and have fun. They all are nice instruments.

[@DoctorFlute]

Thanks for all the comments. I'll have Waverly read this and consider you suggestions. One of my next videos will be showing how you can upgrade a step up flute by putting a professional head joint on it so what you did to upgrade your flute was fantastic. Does this upgrade give you the sound you are looking for?

[@twinoaks4798]

@@DoctorFlute yes! The new head joint added even more depth and color choices to my sound and a bit more responsiveness. I don’t know the specs on all the other flutes she is looking at, but I wanted the white gold springs and offset g for ease of technique. The body has held up well, but I really miss the d# roller I had on my Brannen year’s ago. . .

[@DoctorFlute]

That roller is extremely helpful!

[@chrislee3263]

Waverly sounded good to me on the Powell

[@DoctorFlute]

Interesting! I'll talk to her with your vote.

[@ill_prepared_optimist]

I liked the sound overall of the Sonare best. The Amadeus was close, but the upper notes sounded a little harsh to my ear. The response on the Trevor James was great, but the tone was just fine, where the sonare sounded like there is a lot to work with and grow. I did like the sound of the di Zhao, but it didn't seem like a good fit (or at least not an immediate fit).

[@ill_prepared_optimist]

I was also wondering if the later flutes sounded better because she was getting more comfortable playing on camera and loosening up a bit. Great job, by the way!

[@DoctorFlute]

I think the general vote is for the Sonare. I agree that she was getting more comfortable as time went on. But that is why having flutes for 7-10 days for review is a good thing there is plenty of time to get past the new flute and dig into what makes you sound the best. Great review!

[@KindraShalynnHaimberger]

Im torn between the Haynes and the Powell. I play a Di Zhao 700 and it is a much heavier instrument than what I have ever played in the past but I enjoy the B foot for the wide range it has but what I had previously thought was possibly a strange anomaly from my own familiarity of the tone to what I not only noticed it but I believe to be conformation from in hearing Waverly play but that Di Zhao appears to have a heavier tone across the board. I think what I mean by heavy is what you called a darker tone. Off the top of my head at 2:30 A.M. the best way I can explain it, metaphorically speaking, is that it's almost like night and day. Halloween to Christmas. The difference between Tchaikovsky's Darker tones in Hymn of the Cherubim to that of the lightness and bounciness of The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. I hope that makes sense. I find I like both sounds the The Di Zhao can most definitely achieve both with practice though it does take practice and ofcourse it all goes back to the person playing that particular instrument but I'm also not a professional player with a perfect ear for music either so what do I know. Lol

[@DoctorFlute]

I agree with your assessment of the Di Zhao. It does seem to have a darker tone. I think that for the price point it is a good instrument. But I do think that it is easier to get all the tones and sounds with the Haynes or the Powell. These two instruments respond to your attempts quicker the the DZ. But you can achieve these sounds on the DZ it will just make you work a little haarder.

[@rodneymills6477]

When I chose my college flute, I went for what sounded great instead of what felt good in my hands. Big mistake. I ended up with a career ending injury. And I'm not gonna bad mouth that flute, because Miyazawa is amazing, which is why I loved it, but I had no business on a heavy wall, and honestly, I should have dropped the B foot way sooner. I have hypermobility in my hands. Know your hand health before picking an instrument. Still currently play a Miyazawa - career ending but I can still play, just not with great technical virtuosity; that will always be out of the question. It's a closed hole, c foot, handmade professional. It's also a silver/copper/palladium alloy which is harder than nickel but denser than sterling, and lighter than either one. Btw, she sounds great on all of them. She went with the Haynes, yes?

[@DoctorFlute]

Wow you have had quite the journey. I think your Miyazawa sounds like a great choice with your issues. Yes, she choose the Haynes.

[@zetticat]

Amadeus hands down, Powell close second. But all sounded great ........ best of luck !

[@DoctorFlute]

I agree!

[@acidforblood]

@@DoctorFlute Comes with a C# trill and Split E at a very affordable price too. Never knew this flute existed till today. Cheaper than the Azumi 3 that had the split E and C# trill.

[@Humbardi]

I have a Gemeinhardt M2S Solid Silver flute … how does that flute compare with the ones tested here by Waverly ? I like how she sounds in the Haynes

[@DoctorFlute]

I think your solid silver is probably a better instrument then the ones that Waverly is trying. These trial flutes only had a solid silver head and silver plated body. So I would guess that your solid silver flute has a better sound.

[@GER_1]

Thank you so much! If I'd like to play more like percussive kind of sounds, or more rythmic focused music, would you recommend me the Trevor James? Have a nice day!!!

[@DoctorFlute]

Sure, the TJ flute would be great for that type of playing. Have fun!

[@LeeBerache]

I know this is December and that Waverly probably already has her new flute, but hey.......what the heck. I'm actually torn between the Sonare and the Di Zhoa (sp?) The Di Zhao has a darker sound to it, which is what I personally like in a flute sound, but the Sonare had a much larger sound, and it seemed like her playing was much more free on it. I just wish the Sonare had a darker sound. So.........looking at my thoughts on the screen, I guess that I'm choosing the Sonare. I did not like the Trevor James on Waverly at all. It was kind of a small, thin sound, and I think there is not much growing room for her on this instrument. I loved the ringing quality of the Haynes on the higher register, but the middle and lower register did not seem to be a good fit for her.

[@DoctorFlute]

I love your perspective very well thought out! We were torn between the Sonare and the Haynes but ultimately went with the Haynes.

[@jan9105]

I‘m thinking about getting the Haynes 680, too. Do you have any long-term experiences on how the mechanic will do its job?

[@DoctorFlute]

Yes as a matter of fact I do. My daughter plays on a 680. I think it's the best flute of that level. She has had it for a few years now and we do regular maintenance but it has held up very well.

[@peterfinlay7213]

Love!!Waverlys hair cut !!

[@DoctorFlute]

She'll be thrilled someone noticed!