For the first time ever I'm playing a different flute from my own. It's so so much fun. I didn't really think there would be so much difference, but guess I was wrong.

I left my Yamaha beginner flute for service, and was allowed to borrow a Pearl-695E Dolce for the weekend.

The mechanism is so responsive. I never considered the Yamaha not to be, but here things happen immidietly when I touch a key. I don't know what to say about the sound. The lip plate is different so there should be some difference. My low tones are really beautiful and very easy to play well. And all notes are loud compared to the Yamaha. But I struggle to get the middle register to sound good. It seems as soon as I really nail a note I lose it again. I'm practising long notes and experimenting to get a nice tone on those notes.

Back to practise this weeks assignment.

Playing other flutes is fun. However, some of the things you mentioned might be because your flute was out of adjustment. I bet your Yamaha will play like a different flute when it gets back from the shop.

Interesting point! I will try to play a little in the store on monday so that I can compare the flutes better and without relying on my memory.

I don't really expect anything to be wrong with the Yamaha. It's not old and neither me or my teacher has actually noticed anything wrong. However it was time for a check-up to make sure it's in shape.

Well, the Pearl 695E is definitely a step-up from your beginner Yamaha (especially if you have a 200 series). It lists for about $2300 but it often sells for about $1500. The 695 has a sterling silver handcut "Forza" headjoint that is going to make a big difference in sound and playability.

Sometimes, stores will loan out a better instrument just to show you what a difference there is between various flutes (and probably hoping to entice you to trade-up after you've tried it!)

And one thing that I always say is that flutes (especially headjoints) are like shoes - It always feels better when you get a good fit. The Pearl may just be a better "fit" for you.

I'm not upgrading anytime soon, but yes, this store wants to tend the customer releationship and I'm likely a returning customer.

Well, my original flute is a 211, and I think it's a wonderful flute. I'm really used to exactly how it works and like the sound a lot. I will be very happy to have it back and feel connected to my Cecilia.

I'm probably not good at neither describing the differences or hearing the differences in sound. If I should give it a try I would say that the Yamaha has a female voice and the Pearl a male voice. The pearl has a kind of stronger voice to me, but I find the Yamha prettier to listen to, which I like.

I tried to play some fast pieces yesterday and it's a little easier than on the Yamaha, but not so much that it's really important to me.

Piccolos are even more like that. It is really interesting to hear the difference.