My Pearl flute just came with the additions..I didn't ask them to put on the add-ons. Even though i have the add-ons..i didn't know how to use them! (Well, now i know though) oh, and the additions don't distract me from my tone..so it's okay^^...

Penny, it looks like we'll have to differ in opinion on the C# trill issue. I have one built onto my gold flute, and absolutely love it. In fact, I would say that it's the single most useful key on there. It is not just for trilling to C#. It also works for a number of other trills, tremolos, alternate fingerings, and special extended techniques. I personally believe that once you can compensate without such tools as a split E or a C# trill, there is nothing wrong with using them. You've already acquired the skill to not use them, and having the options available makes it easier to focus on other parts of the music, which is a good thing.

I wonder what the racial of professional flutists that have or use the split e on their flute is? Is is mostly used by the less advanced? Is it a world wide popularity on flutes?

I think you mean "ratio" (rather than racial = race).

I don't know many colleagues of mine who play with a split E key, I am sure there are some out there, but I have actually seen then more on student flutes

My flute has a split E on it, and while it does make producing the E without splitting it easier (I keep thinking back to a nightmare etude that is much easier now), I think if I had it to do all over again I would not have it. Playing the E was not much of an issue when I was younger, but the results on my new flute make playing F# a NIGHTMARE. I still have to work on that note regularly to make it come in without a split or being out of tune. Bleh, fix one problem, make another one...

YEAH! i agree with you!...i have a split E mechanism thingy. And i don't need it to make my high e. I've never used it and i don't plan on using it. But my F# are a nightmare!! is because i have this split e thingy on my flute that's making this problem. I mean i could play the high f# on my gemienhardt with a ease. ..Weird huh?

Yes Kippsix, thank you for that correction, you are correct, that is what I meant to type.

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So it affect the high F#? I never knew that. Interesting. I had one on my flute and didn't care for it much, so I had Kara take it off for me. It is a fairly easy process as far as I understand. It suites me much better now.

Ermmm...
how can you choose NOT to use the E-mech if it's on your flute, (unless it's an expensive pro model with a clutch)?

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Sorry, I meant that as a reply to schoolgirl (just curious), I have one on my flute (over here they are pretty much universal on student flutes) and I'm pretty happy with it. No high F# problems that I'm aware of, although it's not the easiest note and I do have to watch my embouchure.

The presence of the split E has absolutely no effect on the F#. None at all!

Perhaps I have a small leak then. F# was always a little funky for me before, but requires an absurd amount of precision now in order to keep it from splitting. I need to get my flute friend tech to take a look at it for me.

Ooh! OKay, so my split e thingy has no effect on the high f#? i guess it's a new flute and i need to get used to it. Oh, and for the split e thingy..i thought it wasn't automatic. ?? i'm so confused now..becasue someone was explaining how there's a switch and you could turn it off or on. I have a Pearl..so i don't think it's automatic.

Schoolgirl it's either on there or not. I also have a Pearl, and yes it's automatic.

OH!..i see now. My flute has the e split thingy operating. Okay. I understand know^^...(took me a while there)..:-)

Sorry Micron,

We are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. I have enough playing experience to know the difference between an airstream issue, a support issue, or a technical problem with the flute.

Although I do not know the exact mechanics of the flute or how to fix them, I know that this problem started on my new flute whereas it was never an issue before. I assumed it was because of the mechanics on the split E. If that is not the case there is something else going on. If you use the typical F# fingering the note is significantly more difficult to play in comparison to those surrounding it, however if you use the alternate fingering with the middle finger on the right hand down it plays easier. I bought this flute almost 2 years ago and have not had it in for a tune up yet, so it is long overdue. After I get it checked out, if I am wrong, I'll let you know.

My best friend happens to be a repair tech who just moved home, so I am going to have her take a look at it when she has some time. She did some minor adjustments on it over a break and the biggest thing she noticed about the Pearl straight from the company was the key tension was way too tight. It felt like I had to bang on the keys to play. Once this was adjusted fluidity was easier, but I think there are still a few minor things going on.

Like I said, I'll let you know what she says.