Is it Time to Upgrade Your Flute? FluteTips 131

[@acidforblood]

I think I'll need another 2 or 3 years before I reach my tone potential on my Yamaha 222. Been playing it since November 2020 on a regular basis with every resource at my disposal as well as working with an online teacher. I feel that my tone could always be better and when I have good tone days I see that the this flute shows me I still need to practice it. I need to get to a point where my good tone days become the norm or at least enough of them that I can no longer get good tone days that are better than my best tone days. I guess that's when I know I've hit my plateau. Notes wise I've made it from Low C to high G with high F# being the most difficult to play with decent tone. That High F# seems to be a real problem note. The High E not so much. Makes me wonder why they make split-E mechanisms if the High E is attainable without too much work. Should my goal be to get good tone up to High C so that I have the full chromatic range of the instrument before even considering a switch to intermediate?

[@DoctorFlute]

I understand what you are saying and it sounds like you are on the right track to move up. I think that if you have been playing regularly and working on tone with a teacher you might need the intermediate sooner rather then later. Your issues with some of the 3rd octave notes might be because the instrument itself is the problem. You could trial an intermediate flute and see if it solves any of your issues. It's up to you but I think it's worth checking out.

[@Jwellsuhhuh]

Anti split E gang

[@kryzak123]

Great tip as always! My teacher said I can definitely start looking at the next level flutes, and since I'm an adult, I may jump directly to a pre-professional handmade flute (at least the headjoint). I gave the Miyazawa/Muramatsu/Yamaha 7 series/Haynes Q a try and can definitely tell the tone, dynamics, and response difference, so will use your tips (in this and other videos) to start testing and take my time to find the perfect next flute for me. :)

[@DoctorFlute]

Fabulous! Any flute on this level will be a great flute!

[@BlueRubyIris]

My flute I have had for 11 year and it is not working the way that it used to .

[@DoctorFlute]

You need to take it to a repair technician and have it overhauled. New pads and adjustment. It will work again.

[@francoisvillon1300]

Аминь!

[@DoctorFlute]

Hello! Do you need to upgrade?

[@francoisvillon1300]

@@DoctorFlute I have a Hayness. Thinking about getting full-platinum in the future... BTW, I have a question. I remember, like 20-25 years ago Emerson was building some strange "harmony" flutes in the key of Eb,, G-treble, etc. Have you ever heard about such instruments?

[@DoctorFlute]

Love Haynes flutes! My favorite is a head joint with a platinum riser. We can all dream. No I don't know about the Emerson flutes. Interesting

[@dcallan812]

I started flute on a Pearl, not the cheapest but lower priced., I bought it used had a full service and played it more or less problem free for many years. I improved a lot but got to a point it felt like I was unable to improve.. So it was time for an upgrade. I bought another Pearl flute, silver head and body, plated keys. WOW what a difference. Testing out a few different makes and models helped so much.

[@DoctorFlute]

You were definitely ready for that next flute! Pearl is a great choice!

[@eastmarvista3267]

Incredible awesome honest non-biased advise. THANK YOU!

[@DoctorFlute]

You are so welcome! Thanks!

[@ScuolaNonScuolaYT]

Very good and important advises. Thank you for your work 🙏

[@DoctorFlute]

My pleasure!

[@joshuaw311]

As an advanced amateur that has been on an intermediate for several years flute shopping is so overwhelming. I feel a heavy wall flute should be in my future but I have also never trialed any metals besides solid silver and would like to maybe branch out. Thanks for posting! So many deciding factors to weigh in on. 🤯

[@DoctorFlute]

There are so many factors. When you are ready feel free too limit those and be happy with your choice. I do think heavy walls are fantastic. If you feel like you have a lot of air then you will do well with heavy walled flutes. I'd love to hear when you finally make the switch what you choose.

[@AL-sm8ww]

Hi, Love your channel! I am looking to buy my first piccolo after ten years of playing the flute exclusively (really excited to start!), and I just wanted to ask your advice on which type to buy or consider (at a price range of up to roughly $650). Thank you!!

[@DoctorFlute]

Thanks! I think if you could add a bit to your bottom line you can find a really decent Yamaha or Gemeinhardt piccolo. Below about $800 might not be worth it especially if you want to play it in any ensembles.

[@AL-sm8ww]

@@DoctorFlute okay that’s really helpful thanks!

[@peterfinlay7213]

Great advise !! Thanks!

[@DoctorFlute]

Your very welcome Peter!