Klarinet Archive - Posting 000496.txt from 2004/11

From: "=?iso-8859-1?Q?Anna_Cecil=EDa_Benass=ED?=" <acb@-----.is>
Subj: [kl] Yamaha flute specifications - new model numbers
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 05:04:23 -0500

Hi again.

I just checked the Yamaha Website, and I think Lynn was mistaken. The
model number changes do NOT seem to include a change in the first digit of
the number. A 481 is still a 481 (the intermediate model, the
bottom-of-the-line all-silver flute). From 500 up, however, that last 1
seems to have changed to a 4, for some reason. So a 581 is now a 584,
though the online specs list shows both numbers (i.e., 584/581).

(Lynn is quite right about people's tendency to recommend this or that for
snob appeal. The people who do this often don't realize that they're doing
it: it's just the Gospel according to Someone, and over time one forgets
who that someone even was, though the Gospel remains.)

As regards a split-E mechanism, I'd probably opt for one if I were buying
today, but consistent practice of overtones will give you the flexibility
you need to play a beautiful high E without the mechanism. I have heard it
said that the split-E mechanism, while it facilitates the high E, does
nothing for the F# a step above. I'd have to examine and/or play a split-E
flute to confirm or deny this, and certainly a professional flutist will
know plenty about the subject. Again, practicing overtones will help the
F#.

I agree with everyone who suggested lessons. I have only been able to
study flute with a teacher for a single summer, and I'm otherwise
self-taught. It saved me a great deal of time in that it helped me to
channel my energies into things that HELP instead of foundering around on
my own. If time allowed, I'd keep studying. But even that one summer was a
good deposit to my paltry account of flute knowledge.

Again, best of luck! And even, if one poster suggested, your time might be
"better spent" focusing only on clarinet, playing flute is a gas. Enjoy.

Anna

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