Nina Perlove vlog: 10 Flute Demonstration ROUND TWO

Here are the top five flutes from the voting results of my vlog "10 Flute Demonstration."
The possible metals are (not in order):
.016 silver with platinum riser
.016 silver with platinum head
.016 silver with 14K head
5-95 flute with drawn tone holes and a 998 silver head with platinum riser
10K flute with silver keys and silver embouchure

The results of the voting for round one as of 9-11-07:
#1: 16
#2: 5
#3: 7
#4: 1
#5: 1
#6: 2
#7: 7
#8: 3
#9: 6
#10: 20

To answer some questions I have received about this test:
I can feel and hear differences in these flutes, some more pronounced and some very subtle, almost negligible. Mostly I can hear the differences between gold and silver. To my ear gold has a subtle shimmer in the sound especially between notes and on sustained notes. Platinum, especially in a riser, to my ear gives the flute a zing or pop, again very subtle. I can't guarantee that I could distinguish any of these differences while listening to another player, however! My own sound is something I am so intimately familiar with that I can probably detect tiny variations that others may not consciously be able to identify. I also expect that other players with different bodies and approaches to playing may get completely different sounds out of these flutes and metals!

In listening back to the video I do hear the differences but less than when I am actually playing the flute. I wonder then if the differences are at all related to the sound we hear at the ear rather than at the audience's distance? Is it possible that the sound resonates differently in our own bodies when they are made of different metals?

I can also say that when I am trying a flute the real thing I listen for is a WOW factor. Yes, I listen for homogeneity of registers, response, intonation, projection, etc. but the real thing that I respond to is that goose-pimply feeling of excitement when I play the flute and frankly I can tell if a flute has it for me or not after about 5 seconds.

I do have favorites among the top ten and top five.

One of these flutes is the flute I have owned since 2001 and I will tell you that it is the .16 silver wall body. I find it interesting that of the top five flutes three are on my own flute but with different headjoints!

Enjoy Round 2!

-Nina

Category:

Music

Tags:

• flute
• flutes
• flutist
• instrument
• making
• silver
• gold
• platinum
• Burkart

[flutist001]

#3-headjoint on flute #1 would be nice combination. #1 lower register has enough resonance to balance a more vibrant headjoint compared to flute #3.

[ninaflute]

flutist001: Do you have a vote? By the way, flute #3 was wrapped in tape when I played it, it wasn't finished being made yet (almost done). Even the keys were covered in tape.

[kelandjen]

The body of flute number three appears to be a different colour than the other flutes which makes me think it is probably the 10K gold model with silver keys. It's interesting that I wouldn't consider the sound of that flute to be dark - just different perception of different people. Interesting experiment.

[ninaflute]

kelandjen: What you are seeing on the #3 flute is blue protective tape. That flute was actually not finished yet so it was still covered in tape, even the keys were covered. I am sure this had some negative impact on sound but it still made it to the finals! As soon as I finished recording on that flute it was swept out of my hands back to the workshop so it could be finished.

[ninaflute]

kelandjen: so which do you like best?

[Intermezzo411]

Nina, #3 is my favorite, absolutely HANDS-DOWN! The tone is rich, vibrant, and resonates well throughout each register. It also has a much darker sound, which I've told you I prefer, so perhaps I'm a bit biased, haha - but anyway, that's my favorite. I think I'm going to try a Burkart for my backup. Heck, if I find one I like that much, I'll make that my primary flute and use the Pearl/Drelinger combo as my backup! Good luck! ~Marissa

[ninaflute]

Intermezzo411 (marissa): I was impressed when I spent the day at Burkart at the consistency of the flutes even in different metals and cuts. Keep in mind that one of the flutes in this test has drawn not soldered tone holes, so don't forget to try the Burkart Phelan models, too. I'll be curious to know your thoughts.

[earlywirlybird]

You make them all sound wonderful, but #3 is my choice.

[BoySergeant]

10 is my favorite... love to hear them all with a bit less vibrato. You're great though. Makes me want to study again! =)

[BoySergeant]

If I had to choose, #10 for me. I wish I could hear them without vibrato and a slow scale or two.  You're awesome, buy the way. =)

[for1979]

WHAT METALS ARE MADE #1 AND #10 FLUTE?

[amirishl337]

10 is really pretty.

[flutist001]

I didn't vote here because I already voted for flute #1 and #10 previously. Don't want to be double counted. I did have to struggle in choosing #1 over #3. It was a close call so the tape may have an effect on the lower register resonance. On paper, I would pick the "5-95 flute with drawn tone holes and a 998 silver head with platinum riser", which turned out to be my guess for #3.

[horseygal451]

i like number 9 and 3 nina :) *thumbs up* i wanna be just like you

[caitylin8330]

yeah #7 is still my abaoluts fav. it sounds sooo amazing.