Yamaha 421: Has anybody got anything to say about this flute

Flute History and Instrument Purchase

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flutego12
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Yamaha 421: Has anybody got anything to say about this flute

Post by flutego12 »

I am guessing this is the higher grade precursor to the 221 flute, just solid silver.
Obviously the metal content is there but I'm wondering about it's headjoint embouchure cut and design hence playing pleasure.

Keen to hear your observations.
Yamaha Collector's Database lists it as possibly as far back as 1979!
flutist with a screwdriver

SaoirseCiara
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Re: Yamaha 421: Has anybody got anything to say about this f

Post by SaoirseCiara »

I have been playing a Yamaha 421 for the past year and a half and it appears to me to be a decent basic flute.

Initially, I did not like the way I sounded with the CY head joint cut (sort of like a calliope) so I immediately upgraded to the EC head joint and for my purposes that gave me a much better sound.

I was more or less trying to duplicate the feel of the flute I was used to playing when a student ... 4th grade through high school (back when the dinosaurs still roamed).

I decided to try playing the flute again as there is so much more flute literature available now that I wanted to try playing which I didn't have access to when I was a student.

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flutego12
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Re: Yamaha 421: Has anybody got anything to say about this f

Post by flutego12 »

SaoirseCiara wrote:I have been playing a Yamaha 421 for the past year and a half and it appears to me to be a decent basic flute.

Initially, I did not like the way I sounded with the CY head joint cut (sort of like a calliope) so I immediately upgraded to the EC head joint and for my purposes that gave me a much better sound.

I was more or less trying to duplicate the feel of the flute I was used to playing when a student ... 4th grade through high school (back when the dinosaurs still roamed).

I decided to try playing the flute again as there is so much more flute literature available now that I wanted to try playing which I didn't have access to when I was a student.
Sounds like a great adventure~ Thank You for your thoughts, SaoirseCiara - I will keep the EC hj in mind. Totally empathise :wink:
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avins
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Re: Yamaha 421: Has anybody got anything to say about this f

Post by avins »

I've been with my yamaha 574 for some time now and I'm very happy with it , I tried out various yamahas before I decided on this one, I felt it was much superior to the 421 tone-wize, obviously ,mainly due to the EC hj, which I also put on a 421 , but somehow the 574 and EC hj played better for me , I actually prefered the yamaha (with the c foot)than a Mura ex iii (with c foot) although the Mura with b foot had the edge especially in the low tones, but I wanted a c foot flute rather.
All the best
Avins

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