Flute Lesson - Differences between a Gold and a Silver flute? - Gold vs Silver Flute

[@scootermacarthy5990]

Thanks for posting. Over the years I have discovered that what's really important to wind players is the response of the instrument, specifically the resistance and resonance. Too much or too little resistance is not good. The player has to find a balance. The only places a flutist can get resistance is: metal alloys, the height of the wall of the lip plate, the thickness of the metal tubing and the control of the lips and air stream speed. Resistance is important for musical effect. Concert pianists typically prefer heavy action for high resistance. If a flute has little resonance, it feels dead; can't make it sing (experienced players know about this). Assuming the design of the head joint is excellent quality, denser metals are important to the response; that's why flute makers give so many different metal alloys and combinations. I never felt that gold flutes had a warm sound. I can play one and make it sound bright with a lot of power. You can really "push" on them and the sound does not crack. Flute players should experiment with resistance: try to play the flute with a rather small aperture and then use lots of fast air from the middle to high register. Higher resistance should help the player play louder and softer easier. Players should notice that when playing a flute made of a cheaper metal have to work harder to get the musical effect they are achieving. Musical effect is mostly created by playing loud and soft (omitting rubato). So here is where resistance is crucial. Flutists, when testing flutes, should play the middle register as loud as possible and if the tone cracks too easily, try another one. A flute should never be free blowing as this would be difficult to play musically. Beginner flutes are made of cheaper metal alloys because they are not focusing on musicality, but on basics. As they learn how to use their air and tongue, they begin to focus on musical effect and getting more control of the flute tone quality and volume. Good head joints are crucial to a good player and I find that gold is a good metal to have, with platinum even more resistant with an extremely live effect when the flutist plays the first pitch. I had this reaction when testing a Powell platinum flute years ago. Great alloy with a lot of power and potential. I share this information based on years of experimenting and testing of all sorts of metals, flutes, and playing and comparing with other wind instruments.

[@virtualsheetmusic]

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[@gcg8187]

yeah dude gold is the way to go

[@Dinthurt]

Concrete is a lot lighter than gold

[@roomkaaas]

I want a golden flute so bad! I think it sounds so beautiful 💜

[@soschadao]

when i bought my flute (haynes ventus) i tried out several of the same model headjoints with the flute and found even the same model will sound different with a different body. many people have tried my headjoint and have offered to buy it. Ifound out sometimes the imperfections in the metal line up in such a way that you will get a drastically different sound. and this concept works differently for different flutists. silver and gold vibrate at different frequencies and the plating changes the vibration frequency

[@virtualsheetmusic]

+soschadao Thank you for your input on this video - If you have any questions, please direct your them to our expert with the link in the description - Also, please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted! Best of luck!

[@irakulkarni8786]

When a flute is played, the metal does not vibrate.

[@Herr_Flick_of_ze_Gestapo]

What a load of airy fairy BS. the silver or gold doesnt vibrate. the only difference is that it has a different visual color and a different price.

[@Herr_Flick_of_ze_Gestapo]

"the silver and gold vibrate at different frequencies"

[@soschadao]

@@Herr_Flick_of_ze_Gestapo they very much do. Because clip on tuners and other vibration readers register when clipped to the flute. Do you even play the flute?

[@Mr.Altavoz]

Very interesting, please keep them coming!

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Thank you for your input on this video - If you have any questions, please direct your them to our expert with the link in the description - Also, please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted! Best of luck!

[@carleynorthcoast1915]

If the players are listening to a recording then they are listening to speakers not a flute. Why didn't they guess the metal as they were playing? or have another flutist listen while blindfolded?

[@leo5208]

Have you done a video about the differences between wood and metal as mentioned near the end? If you believe there are no differences among metal flutes due to the metals, are there any between metal and wood (and plastic resin, carbon fiber, etc.)? Zoon and Jacot play wood, but they sound like what I'm used to hearing from metal - so, as you said, it's the head joint that matters most (?).

[@virtualsheetmusic]

+leo5208 Thank you for your input on this video - If you have any questions, please direct your them to our expert with the link in the description - Also, please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted! Best of luck!

[@brendinho1993]

A bit late, but there is a difference between wood and metal, because of the texture of the bore. The walls of the flute just shape the air column. However, the waves inside the flute are changed by interacting with the uneven wooden surface, rather than smooth metal. The physical models of the two would be different, whereas all metals re the same (because of the smooth bore).

[@jayveeaurea9091]

It really depends on the player of the flute and the budget.

[@on-the-spot9467]

Are you siblings Mr. Estrin?.... Thanks.

[@virtualsheetmusic]

They are actually husband and wife :)

[@on-the-spot9467]

Virtual Sheet Music Thanks. Now I know. A flutist and pianist is a great combination. Makes home colorful. 👍

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Nice thought, I'll share it with them! Thanks :)