has anyone played Pearl flutes? How do you like them?
Details please!
pearl flutes?
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
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flute friend
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 2:51 pm
pearl flutes?
My mom has one and it works really great. She was a solid
sliver one and it is worth over 2,000$ It plays good for concerts and she loves
it Best of Wishes!![:p]
sliver one and it is worth over 2,000$ It plays good for concerts and she loves
it Best of Wishes!![:p]
~Vanessa~
pearl flutes?
hmm thanks, I tried one....a 700 coda model or something,
and it was nice. the mechanism was HUGE compaired to the yamaha 674H though,
hence the price difference. Anyone else have any thoughts???
and it was nice. the mechanism was HUGE compaired to the yamaha 674H though,
hence the price difference. Anyone else have any thoughts???
Flutey
Forever! <3 Amber
Forever! <3 Amber
pearl flutes?
Pearl's less expensive flutes aren't very good compared
to Yamaha. There higher priced ones are supposedly make pretty well. I am not a
fan of their sound and almost no professional players use Pearl compared to the
quality companies like Haynes, Powell, Muramatsu, Altus, Sankyo, and even
Yamaha. So I would hesitate to go the Pearl route. I don't really know what
Pearl's market is. They don't do well at either the student or pro level. At
least Gemeinhardt has a nice chunk of the student market even though almost no
pro level players. To each their own. Play it if you like it better, buy it. You
have to live with it not those that offer you opinions.
to Yamaha. There higher priced ones are supposedly make pretty well. I am not a
fan of their sound and almost no professional players use Pearl compared to the
quality companies like Haynes, Powell, Muramatsu, Altus, Sankyo, and even
Yamaha. So I would hesitate to go the Pearl route. I don't really know what
Pearl's market is. They don't do well at either the student or pro level. At
least Gemeinhardt has a nice chunk of the student market even though almost no
pro level players. To each their own. Play it if you like it better, buy it. You
have to live with it not those that offer you opinions.
pearl flutes?
thanks, yeah I would love to be able to get a powell or a
haynes, but I dont have the money at all. I am going to have to do something
soon though because I have just decided to go into music ed and I will need a
proffessional instrument.
haynes, but I dont have the money at all. I am going to have to do something
soon though because I have just decided to go into music ed and I will need a
proffessional instrument.
Flutey
Forever! <3 Amber
Forever! <3 Amber
pearl flutes?
Just because some one or an advertising tells you a flute
is a "professional" instrument doesn't make it one. I don't know your budget
but better to spend once and get the instrument you deserve than to buy twice
and end up spending more money. The only thing you can do is play as many
different makes as you can and keep asking others which they think are worthy.
Unfortunately it is more difficult to find top level flutes at a discount.
Expect to pay at least $2,000 and probably closer to 3 to get an instrument that
will do anything you are capable of. Good news is you don't have to spend
5,7,12 or even 20,000 as some do. Good news is that I read Sir James Galway
plays and loves his Muramatsu EX which is their second lowest priced model with
plated body silver head. If its good enough for him. Many a pro level flute
player plays a flute with a plated body, not solid silver or top model as we
expected when we started our research. A quality plated flute often sounds
better than a solid silver flute of lessor quality. Over $5,000 solid silver
Pearl or Armstrong may sound worse to your ear, as they did to mine, as a plated
Altus, Muramatsu, Miyazawa or Powell's Sonare model. Even more surprising a
plated model of the same company may sound as good, better or, you or no one
else, maybe able to tell the difference in sound from their top level all solid
silver model. A big surprise to us. These were some conclusions we reached based
on our search for a professional sounding flute on a student level budget. Hope
they inspire you to make a good decision that serves you well.
is a "professional" instrument doesn't make it one. I don't know your budget
but better to spend once and get the instrument you deserve than to buy twice
and end up spending more money. The only thing you can do is play as many
different makes as you can and keep asking others which they think are worthy.
Unfortunately it is more difficult to find top level flutes at a discount.
Expect to pay at least $2,000 and probably closer to 3 to get an instrument that
will do anything you are capable of. Good news is you don't have to spend
5,7,12 or even 20,000 as some do. Good news is that I read Sir James Galway
plays and loves his Muramatsu EX which is their second lowest priced model with
plated body silver head. If its good enough for him. Many a pro level flute
player plays a flute with a plated body, not solid silver or top model as we
expected when we started our research. A quality plated flute often sounds
better than a solid silver flute of lessor quality. Over $5,000 solid silver
Pearl or Armstrong may sound worse to your ear, as they did to mine, as a plated
Altus, Muramatsu, Miyazawa or Powell's Sonare model. Even more surprising a
plated model of the same company may sound as good, better or, you or no one
else, maybe able to tell the difference in sound from their top level all solid
silver model. A big surprise to us. These were some conclusions we reached based
on our search for a professional sounding flute on a student level budget. Hope
they inspire you to make a good decision that serves you well.
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porschia28
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2003 6:45 pm
pearl flutes?
Hi! If you are on a budget then Pearl flute is not a bad
flute to purchase. I tried the Pearl flute but as many others have said, it
isn't as great of quality as the Yamaha or other flutes. Good luck.
flute to purchase. I tried the Pearl flute but as many others have said, it
isn't as great of quality as the Yamaha or other flutes. Good luck.
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flutietootie4lyfe
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2003 3:44 pm
pearl flutes?
I bought a pearl flute yesterday, while playing an
emerson, armstrong, and gemeinhardt. Pearl had a much clearer tone, was better
on octaves, and much more expensive..
emerson, armstrong, and gemeinhardt. Pearl had a much clearer tone, was better
on octaves, and much more expensive..
~Kendall
"Q: How many classical flutists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Only
one, but she'll pay $5,000 for a gold-plated ladder." --Kathy Russell
"Q: How many classical flutists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Only
one, but she'll pay $5,000 for a gold-plated ladder." --Kathy Russell
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FluteDiddy
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 4:32 pm
pearl flutes?
Some people like the Pearl sound and if you compare it to
other budget companies like emerson, armstrong, and gemeinhardt it is probably
as good as any of them. Rhonda Larson is their spokes person and she is a very
good player and paid very well to play Pearl, as far as I know she is the only
top level player that would consider playing a Pearl. Of course I dont think any
top players would play emerson, armstrong, or gemeinhardt either without a nice
paycheck. But as beginner budget flutes they are all fine but if you stay with
it long enough and get good, develope an ear you will not consider any of those
brands.
other budget companies like emerson, armstrong, and gemeinhardt it is probably
as good as any of them. Rhonda Larson is their spokes person and she is a very
good player and paid very well to play Pearl, as far as I know she is the only
top level player that would consider playing a Pearl. Of course I dont think any
top players would play emerson, armstrong, or gemeinhardt either without a nice
paycheck. But as beginner budget flutes they are all fine but if you stay with
it long enough and get good, develope an ear you will not consider any of those
brands.
F-Diddy the Man with the Purple flute
pearl flutes?
Nestor Torres plays a Pearl Maesta with a wooden head I
believe. Every good brand of flute has professionals that play them--you must
try some out for yourself to find what you like best. -Bradford
believe. Every good brand of flute has professionals that play them--you must
try some out for yourself to find what you like best. -Bradford
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fluteluversmom
- Posts: 295
- Joined: Sun May 11, 2003 10:22 pm
pearl flutes?
I agree Bradford!! I have posted here looking for
opinions or input on specific flutes. But the only opinion that may influence my
purchase is hearing that the person had trouble with a certain brand from some
reason. My personal thoughts are that there are many professionals out there
that are being payed to play/endorse a certain flute/headjoint. I read a post
once in which Sir James said something to the effect of the closest he has ever
been to a Yamaha was a motorbike. But that wouldn't lead me to feel that
Yamahas are a bad choice for a Middle/High School student or even another
professional. Below is a link to a site that has many professonials and teachers
and the flutes that they play. Does it influence my purchase? Nope... What does
influence me is the reputation of the mechanics of a flute and the sound that is
personally desired. http://personal.zcloud.net/timzart/brand.htm I don't think
a purchase should be based on what the professionals play. Most of us here are
either older people that will never be professionals or Middle/ High School
students that have a long way to go before they play as a professional. I would
venture a guess that any of the students here that continue their flute playing
in college will be looking at other flutes when they start college as most
colleges would require that they play a pro flute. If a Pearl gives you the
sound that you desire and you feel confident that mechanically it will hold up
then that is the flute for you. We will most likely be making our flute purchase
this next weekend. My daughter will not be getting a Muramatsu/Powell/Brannen
etc because that is what the pros play. She will be getting a flute that gives
her the sound that she enjoys and one that I think will be reliable to get her
through High School and fits in my budget. If she chooses to continue flute in
college then we will have to look her needs at that time. Look at Flutediddy..he
plays a purple flute and you don't hear about too many professionals that play
those. He obviously plays a flute that he enjoys playing. Who knows, he might be
the first professional player playing a purple flute. Kim
opinions or input on specific flutes. But the only opinion that may influence my
purchase is hearing that the person had trouble with a certain brand from some
reason. My personal thoughts are that there are many professionals out there
that are being payed to play/endorse a certain flute/headjoint. I read a post
once in which Sir James said something to the effect of the closest he has ever
been to a Yamaha was a motorbike. But that wouldn't lead me to feel that
Yamahas are a bad choice for a Middle/High School student or even another
professional. Below is a link to a site that has many professonials and teachers
and the flutes that they play. Does it influence my purchase? Nope... What does
influence me is the reputation of the mechanics of a flute and the sound that is
personally desired. http://personal.zcloud.net/timzart/brand.htm I don't think
a purchase should be based on what the professionals play. Most of us here are
either older people that will never be professionals or Middle/ High School
students that have a long way to go before they play as a professional. I would
venture a guess that any of the students here that continue their flute playing
in college will be looking at other flutes when they start college as most
colleges would require that they play a pro flute. If a Pearl gives you the
sound that you desire and you feel confident that mechanically it will hold up
then that is the flute for you. We will most likely be making our flute purchase
this next weekend. My daughter will not be getting a Muramatsu/Powell/Brannen
etc because that is what the pros play. She will be getting a flute that gives
her the sound that she enjoys and one that I think will be reliable to get her
through High School and fits in my budget. If she chooses to continue flute in
college then we will have to look her needs at that time. Look at Flutediddy..he
plays a purple flute and you don't hear about too many professionals that play
those. He obviously plays a flute that he enjoys playing. Who knows, he might be
the first professional player playing a purple flute. Kim
Some
days you catch the bus and other days it runs over you.
days you catch the bus and other days it runs over you.
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FluteDiddy
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 4:32 pm
pearl flutes?
I would not suggest buying a flute a professional plays
as some kind of idol worship. Just they can afford to play anything and their
livelyhood depends on sounding their best. So unless they have an endorsement
contract, and Pearl is big in that effort, they probably play a high quality
instrument and we can learn from that. Most people dont hear there own sound and
arent good enough to rely on their own ear. So that complicates decision making.
You also get the complication of so many people advising get as much silver
content as you can, which isn't necessarily true. It depends on where you think
your going with the flute and what you can afford or what it makes sense for you
to spend. Once you get into higher price ranges, like nearing $3000 it makes
little sense to consider certain brands. Buy what makes you happy and if you
ever get good enough that it will make a difference to your playing you will
likely buy another one anyway. For the most part we are talking small
differences that most people will never hear anyway. Making sure you have a
place to get it repaired, one authorized by the manufacturer is something you
may want to consider. If your local store doesn't sell the flute you are
spending big bucks on and you end up sending it to Boston or wherever, every
time it needs adjustment you may not be thrilled. Rhonda Larson sounds wonderful
on her Pearl if you have heard her live, but she generally plays into a mic and
through a sound system. Try it and see if you like it, but also try others and
see if you dont like others better.
as some kind of idol worship. Just they can afford to play anything and their
livelyhood depends on sounding their best. So unless they have an endorsement
contract, and Pearl is big in that effort, they probably play a high quality
instrument and we can learn from that. Most people dont hear there own sound and
arent good enough to rely on their own ear. So that complicates decision making.
You also get the complication of so many people advising get as much silver
content as you can, which isn't necessarily true. It depends on where you think
your going with the flute and what you can afford or what it makes sense for you
to spend. Once you get into higher price ranges, like nearing $3000 it makes
little sense to consider certain brands. Buy what makes you happy and if you
ever get good enough that it will make a difference to your playing you will
likely buy another one anyway. For the most part we are talking small
differences that most people will never hear anyway. Making sure you have a
place to get it repaired, one authorized by the manufacturer is something you
may want to consider. If your local store doesn't sell the flute you are
spending big bucks on and you end up sending it to Boston or wherever, every
time it needs adjustment you may not be thrilled. Rhonda Larson sounds wonderful
on her Pearl if you have heard her live, but she generally plays into a mic and
through a sound system. Try it and see if you like it, but also try others and
see if you dont like others better.
F-Diddy the Man with the Purple flute
pearl flutes?
I have a gold Pearl flute, model 881 (which is no longer
made) that I really do like. I do not like it for the high register (I have a
Miyazawa that I like much more in the upper register), but I like the Pearl for
its rich lower register and for the warmth of the sound (facilitated by the
gold, I'm sure). I hold on to the flute since it's great in jazz and
improvisational settings.
made) that I really do like. I do not like it for the high register (I have a
Miyazawa that I like much more in the upper register), but I like the Pearl for
its rich lower register and for the warmth of the sound (facilitated by the
gold, I'm sure). I hold on to the flute since it's great in jazz and
improvisational settings.
DrMalone
pearl flutes?
LOL!!! It's amazing how different we all are...I
personally am not a huge Yamaha fan, the ones that my kids bring in (the new
ones, not the older ones) play out of tune with themselves in the octaves and
don't do much for me as far as sound. Now I do like the Pearl...the main
problem with the Pearl is the soft mechanism...you have to be very delicate with
a Pearl or it'll be in the shop quite a bit with bent keys, especially with the
split E mech. Some people do not care for the extra bar for the split E. I have
found the Pearl to be very kind to kids with braces..the embouchure cut tends to
help the sound quality. Another flute to try is the new Jr. line from Altus,
called the Aprenti...same price range as the Pearl, right at 1000.00 Phil Unger
carries them at the Flute Center of New York...I have been very impressed with
this flute, as I am a huge Altus fan. It has a rich sound, mech is good and I
haven't had any of the ones in the studio needing as much repair as the
Pearls.
personally am not a huge Yamaha fan, the ones that my kids bring in (the new
ones, not the older ones) play out of tune with themselves in the octaves and
don't do much for me as far as sound. Now I do like the Pearl...the main
problem with the Pearl is the soft mechanism...you have to be very delicate with
a Pearl or it'll be in the shop quite a bit with bent keys, especially with the
split E mech. Some people do not care for the extra bar for the split E. I have
found the Pearl to be very kind to kids with braces..the embouchure cut tends to
help the sound quality. Another flute to try is the new Jr. line from Altus,
called the Aprenti...same price range as the Pearl, right at 1000.00 Phil Unger
carries them at the Flute Center of New York...I have been very impressed with
this flute, as I am a huge Altus fan. It has a rich sound, mech is good and I
haven't had any of the ones in the studio needing as much repair as the
Pearls.
Aprenti is not affiliated with Altus in any way. It is not an Altus Jr. Contact Altus if you want confirmation.
It is just another flute company and from what I read only sold by the maker in California who was once an apprentice at Altus and decided to make his own.
Having not played them, or knowing anyone that has, it could be a good flute or not. But it is NOT an Altus, Jr or otherwise.
Unfortunately this kind of rumor gets put out and people that do not know spread it.
It is just another flute company and from what I read only sold by the maker in California who was once an apprentice at Altus and decided to make his own.
Having not played them, or knowing anyone that has, it could be a good flute or not. But it is NOT an Altus, Jr or otherwise.
Unfortunately this kind of rumor gets put out and people that do not know spread it.