I've reached the time when I need to upgrade my flute. I've been playing a Gemeinhardt student flute (2sp) and I am unsure of which model to go with. I'm hoping to get a open-holed flute with a B gizmo key and sterling silver headjoint. Which is better. A Pearl or a Yamaha?

There is no "better" flute. It's all up to preference. I play a gold flute, but not everyone that's played it likes it. You have to play test both Yamahas and Pearls to see which suits you better. There are also several other companies making flutes in the same price range, so don't limit yourself to just Pearl and Yamaha. Check out Fluteworld's selection of instruments.

It depends on the sound to me.... I believe that every person has a sound that matches them... I personally don't think that there is a difference... which I bet there is anyways but none I know of... sorry i couldn't answer your question clearly. But I agree with Flutist06. The best website to check is fluteworld... it's a good site!

Mechanically, I would say that Yamaha is built better and they hold up better in the long run. Sound wise, that is up to you.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll just have to go out and try a whole bunch of flutes. Thats should be fun!

yeap!!!! I personally think it's the best part of buying the flute!!!

Also a good thing to do is to stablish a budget range first, go search brands/models that are close enough for you to try playing them, then choose the one that best suits you.

Zevang

P.S. Don't hurry, these steps may take some time :-)

why do you feel you need a b-foot??

Yamaha uses the same self-adhesive compressing felts as Pearl does on their 400 models on down which will put the flute out of adjustment within a couple of months, sooner if the person actually plays a lot.

What matters is its mechanism now and its tone. Once you've found the flue you like, take it to your own tech to replace some of the felts with cork or heavy paper (especially the Bb and low C touch piece).

I was just duetting with a friend the other day and she lamented on horrid her low C's were on her 2 year old Yamaha. I took her Yamaha 400-something and I couldn't play them either. Darn felts compressed far worse the Pearl I have been playing with. I had to show her how to use the C# key to make up for the bad seal and suggested she should switch to thumb Bb until she can replace the felt there too (Not mention I had to take a screwdriver to make other pads seal).

yea..wat's up with the every1 getting b-foot? my friend has a gemienhardt too. and all she talks about is just getting a flute with a b-foot. i was like 0.0 why? Hhmm..i was never required to play that. but idk!
OoH! i had a gemienhardt 2sp. and i had to choose between a yamaha and pearl. went with pearl^_^..but ur choice!
yeah. and take that one persons advice of not rushing. haha..that's a good one. i'm a rushing person..and i learned to slow down when it comes to flute buying. lol

You should try out an armstrong they are good.