Tech checked my $50 YFL-24N flute today

sinebar · Post by **sinebar** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:20 pm

The good news is the flute was in good shape. He did a few adjustments and got it sounding great. I got lucky with such a cheap buy. The bad news is I can't make the notes pop out very good. I was hoping the adjustments would help with that. Of course I have only been playing it a few days so I didn't expect much anyway. I would like to ask the experts here if an expensive flute (YFL-381) (YFL-481) would be easier to play then a student type such as the one I mentioned here?

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:39 pm

It depends. Certainly, the quality would be higher with the models that you listed, however, they may not be the best choice for you. Given that I do not know your playing level, I can not tell you whether or not you should go up to the higher level instrument. If you are a beginner, then the flute you have [ given that it is in good repair] is just fine. It is difficult to start out, and it takes quite a while to get to a point where the flute responds quite easily. If you are an intermediate level player, then I would suggest looking into the higher models. This is only because it implies that you are playing at a decently high level of quality and can tell the difference between a misadjustment or perhaps quality in craftsmanship. So, if you have been playing a while, and the flute responds poorly, have the tech look at it again [carefully] to see if anything is damaged [ scratch on the embouchure hole, needing a new headjoint cork etc..]. If the flute is in fine working order, and you are a beginner, then stick with the one you have and work at it. IF you are an intermediate level player, and it is in good working order, I might start looking at the higher models, but give the one you have now a little bit of time. I once read on a thread here that you have to learn to play japanese cut headjoints. I am not aware if it applies to this specific headjoint, but because Yamaha is a japanese company, give it a little bit of time to see if things get better. If it doesnt seem to get better, and you are still unsatisfied with the flute's performance then look at other models and makers of flutes.

sinebar · Post by **sinebar** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:53 pm

fluteguy18 wrote:It depends. Certainly, the quality would be higher with the models that you listed, however, they may not be the best choice for you. Given that I do not know your playing level, I can not tell you whether or not you should go up to the higher level instrument. If you are a beginner, then the flute you have [ given that it is in good repair] is just fine. It is difficult to start out, and it takes quite a while to get to a point where the flute responds quite easily. If you are an intermediate level player, then I would suggest looking into the higher models. This is only because it implies that you are playing at a decently high level of quality and can tell the difference between a misadjustment or perhaps quality in craftsmanship. So, if you have been playing a while, and the flute responds poorly, have the tech look at it again [carefully] to see if anything is damaged [ scratch on the embouchure hole, needing a new headjoint cork etc..]. If the flute is in fine working order, and you are a beginner, then stick with the one you have and work at it. IF you are an intermediate level player, and it is in good working order, I might start looking at the higher models, but give the one you have now a little bit of time. I once read on a thread here that you have to learn to play japanese cut headjoints. I am not aware if it applies to this specific headjoint, but because Yamaha is a japanese company, give it a little bit of time to see if things get better. If it doesnt seem to get better, and you are still unsatisfied with the flute's performance then look at other models and makers of flutes.

Thanks for responding so quickly. I have been playing clarinet for 8 months and do pretty well now. The flute I just started a few days ago so I am an absolute biginnner. I would love to be able to play both clarinet and flute but the flute is quite a bit more challenging to create a sound than the clarinet. I'm going to give it a shot though and see how I do.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 2:51 pm

There's really no guarantee that a mroe expensive flute would be easier for you. Seeing that you just began a few days ago, I wouldn't expect you to be able to play the full range for quite a while. It will take some time to learn how to use your air and support for the upper notes, so don't immediately chalk it up to the instrument, especially since it's just been to see a tech. Keep working with the flute you have, and you'll notice that your ability to hit these higher notes improves with time. Honestly, the higher you go in cost, the more difficult it becomes to play a flute....But when you overcome the difficulty, whole new worlds open up. If you're looking for the easiest learning experience, definitely stick with your student flute for now.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:53 pm

Absolutely!

Often times, if it is a quality company [ yamaha is a very reputable company] the headjoint is cut [ embouchure hole cut] is often made so that it is very forgiving with beginners. The embouchure hole is usually cut to help suit the level of player, so a student model headjoint often assists the beginner learn to produce their first sound, and develope a decent tone. The higher in quality the flute model is, the more the company expects you be able to do, and thus the headjoint cuts are less forgiving in tone and sound quality/ production.

Definately stick with the one you have. After a couple of years if you progress well, then I would start thinking about moving up. But the one you have now is suited specifically to your current needs.

sinebar · Post by **sinebar** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:54 pm

fluteguy18 wrote:Absolutely!

Often times, if it is a quality company [ yamaha is a very reputable company] the headjoint is cut [ embouchure hole cut] is often made so that it is very forgiving with beginners. The embouchure hole is usually cut to help suit the level of player, so a student model headjoint often assists the beginner learn to produce their first sound, and develope a decent tone. The higher in quality the flute model is, the more the company expects you be able to do, and thus the headjoint cuts are less forgiving in tone and sound quality/ production.

Definately stick with the one you have. After a couple of years if you progress well, then I would start thinking about moving up. But the one you have now is suited specifically to your current needs.

Thanks for all the good advice. The flute definately sounded good when the tech played it so I guess I will just have fun learning to play it. Thankfully I have been taking lessons on the clarinet and have learned to read music fairly well and have that to build on with the flute.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:34 pm

Definitely keep working on things with this flute for now.

And I'm glad to see another doubler in the making.. it is a fun world
as you get the hang of switching between instruments.

Just remember that the flute doesn't like to share with other instruments
well, so be prepared to do extra practice on it to get to the level
you want to play at.
Also I recommend practice time starting with flute for now so that the
tension inherant in the clarinet embouchure does not interfere with
learning a solid flute technique.

and above all.... have a blast!!!

mark

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:23 pm

sinebar wrote:
fluteguy18 wrote:Absolutely!

Often times, if it is a quality company [ yamaha is a very reputable company] the headjoint is cut [ embouchure hole cut] is often made so that it is very forgiving with beginners. The embouchure hole is usually cut to help suit the level of player, so a student model headjoint often assists the beginner learn to produce their first sound, and develope a decent tone. The higher in quality the flute model is, the more the company expects you be able to do, and thus the headjoint cuts are less forgiving in tone and sound quality/ production.

Definately stick with the one you have. After a couple of years if you progress well, then I would start thinking about moving up. But the one you have now is suited specifically to your current needs.
Thanks for all the good advice. The flute definately sounded good when the tech played it so I guess I will just have fun learning to play it. Thankfully I have been taking lessons on the clarinet and have learned to read music fairly well and have that to build on with the flute.

No Problem! Just remember, that playing an instrument is for enjoyment, and all good things are worth working hard for!