I am currently playing a 665 it has served me well but when you get to a certain level you definitely get frustrated with that springy mechanism (sometimes difficult to keep smooth rapid passages). Time for a major upgrade. The head joint is great but the lower register articulation is a little airy. my teacher also has tried my flute and made the same comment on the lower register articulation.
A few years back when I decided to learn playing flute (partly because of your videos) I got a Pearl 525 for myself (basically the same as the 505 but with a silver lip plate). Because of lack of time (i usually get home from work after/around 7 PM which is too late to start playing flute in a block of flats) I did not really get far, but I still love this flute. Good to see a review of them now :)
Hi J. I have a hundred year old Haynes flute. It came to me through my uncle who played it in the late 20’s and 30’s. I don’t play it but I don’t want to sell either. I’m telling you this because it came with same little caps that the Pearl did except that they were made of silver. I don’t know why they stopped including those either. Thanks for your videos. David In Sonora CA
I haven't tried Pearl flutes before but I've heard from a few people who have owned Pearl flutes ( at least the older models have had mechanical problems). My last teacher, her backup flute was a Pearl but her main flute was a Powell body with a 14k gold Nagahara headjoint. However, I did try a Pearl piccolo once and I was surprised with the sound that I got. Out of the flutes that were reviewed I prefer the Pearl 665😃❤️🎼🎹🎶
JustAnotherFlutist Hate to say it but Yamaha's piccs are far superior in my opinion to Pearl's...or at least that's what I found when testing them before I bought my YPC-81.
Michael Nguyen They are quite similar; however, one big difference for me was the reformed lip plate on the 81R which in my opinion makes it easier for me to switch between it and the flute. In addition, the 81R has a noticeably much warmer tone (especially in the lower range) and can also play a low D much loader than the 62. My teacher has the 62 and she said that this is typical of higher quality piccs. The middle range is very 'sweet sounding' and the high notes are really quite easy to get out with a good technique and sound great. Yamaha's statement is that "the YPC81R is a handcrafted professional instrument offering the highest possible quality of workmanship, leading to the highest possible quality of sound production" and I would agree. Having said that, the 62 is still a very good picc and is quite a bit cheaper than the 81 so it is a perfectly good alternative; as I said, my teacher has a 62 and it is serving her very well. I am by no means an expert and these are only my opinions so don't take what I have wrote as gospel; I am just a 16 year old musician! There is a YPC-62 review on this channel if you want to check that out.
I've never played on these models but I have played the 765 with the same forza silver headjoint and yes lol it's the sharp drop off that makes it so loud. It was my favorite. These flutes are great for students ^_^
the pearl 505 is very similar to almost exactly the same as the way my flute is! This gave me some clarification of the things that I would notice but never really knew how to explain. when I play on my friends flute the highest register comes out easily, pretty responsive. it kind of frustrates me because I know im able to hit those very top notes but it feels like I have to force them out on mine with a lot more air. I've always wondered if its because I got my flute off of ebay and it may not be the best quality (its unbranded). Or that's just the way my flute is constructed
Just watched this two and a half years later and see that the Pearl 665 has a headjoint choice of Largo, Forza, or Brezza which you don't mention in this video -- just the sharp drop-off on the front edge of the lip plate -- do you know which of these headjoints you were using? How to choose among the three? Thank you for all your videos!
Thanks for all your great videos! I heard about an intermediate Pearl flute available with a few headjoint options; I need to try a closed-hole version of this if possible. What do you suggest please?
So now a little story, how I got my pearl flute... I'm at my aunt's house right now. So three days before, I arrived here and I went up in a room with a lot of old stuff like childrens books, toys and other things. Last time when I was up there I was really short and those shelfs looked so big. Now they don't, so I could see what's on them. I saw a bag that looked like a bag for a flute. I tried to take it down, but it was stuck on the wall... So my brother ripped it off and now there's no pain't on the wall, but on the bag👌😂. I took the case out of the bag and opened it. The flute was black, it looked kinda gross. But anyways, I played it and it sounded so damn good... even better than my yamaha flute. After that I ran downstairs and asked my aunt things about the flute. We talked alot and at the end she said that I can keep the flute if I want to. It's a pearl 501, the sound is really good. When I'm back home I'll bring it to the store and let them polish it and replace everything that's too old or broken. The flute has been there for 20+ years, so it's pretty old...
Oh, so that's the reason why I never understood the ball-shaped air you are usually talking about! I have a Pearl 505 (though it is a closed hole modell), been using and loving it for 10 years now, and it only needed some minor adjustments with the keys and a cork change, I think it's an amazing instrument for non-professionals!
Hello! i just bought a Pearl flute 525... have you tried this model of flute? if yes... :) do you have any observations about it? it would be awesome. :) thank you!
i tried last week and oh my god!!! so clear and full on every register. i think that will me my next flute (now i have a 150 euros flute that i got 4 months ago and he's already leaving me...) edit: i tried the 505 too and the 525 beats it by quite a few measures. they are very different.
They had step up instruments at band for us to try today and they had a Yamaha and a pearl 505 nobody in my section could get a noise out of it and if they could it was either really sharp or flat, do you think it was the music store or the pearl company? The Yamaha was easy for everyone to play though
In another cut it’s revealed that she originally said _”...so, for those of you who don’t know what French Tonguing is... I pity you 😎”_ Then she recorded the final, family-friendly one we’re seeing
This is the first Pearl Flute review that I've seen that is so helpful. Thanks for that ! Are there any plans to review Trevor James flutes ? In particular the Virtuoso and Cantabile models. Thanks ! (p.s. Slytherin forever !)
i am a beginner and I have learned a lot from watching your videos. These flutes are nice but I bet you could get a beautiful tone out of a random paint can.
I've been hearing that lots of people of the Pearl 665, so I made this video both for people who are looking into it and for people who already own it! I'm so glad this review helped you out! :D
I just got the Pearl 505 as a gift from flute center of New York and it doesn’t work :/ the high notes (above G) and the more open notes (B, C, etc) work great but the mid and low range notes don’t work at all. I’m super disappointed with them
I have the 665. Honestly I liked it very much all this time (I got it like 4 years ago) but now since I have practiced much more than previous years, I just feel it doesn't respond well to me in some very fast passages. Makes so much noise.. However when I ever bought my next flute I will keep it for being my first student flute! :D Nice review, very detailed!
Great video 😊 interesting to see that Pearl flutes seem to be very popular. Where I'm from, they have a rather bad reputation for some reason... Also, could review a flute with wooden headjoint or lip plate? 🙂
Wooden headjoint with a silver flute was Theobald Böehm's favorite setup. It was what he saw as ideal, and is the setup I have on my piccolo; wood headjoint (ebonite extra for sketchy conditions) with solid silver body. Though of all, Böehm preferred the alto flute, interestingly enough
What flute practice books do you recommend? I bought the Trevor wye books 1-6 and I love them, and then the "complete daily exercises" by him as well, are there any others I should have my eye on?
I just found your wonderful site, and your reviews are really helpful. Consider a better sponsor who throws out shorter commercials, and you might get paid more often. Your particular sponsor thinks that their ads are so entertaining, but I don't. I pass them by. Sorry.
I just do not get this whole "shape of the air coming out of your mouth" and it "being higher and further back". Seems crazy to me, not sure why such huge sections of the video are devoted to " describing" this. it's way too subjective and unrelatable.
Cindy hardy Hey Cindy thanks for the reply. Possibly - I just don't find this whole "lipstick shape" and "cone shape" or "spinning of the air in your mouth" useful concepts at all. I think those explanations at tediously long and unclear. Love Joanna's videos apart from these FCNY ones! I hope they're going well for her though ❤
I think they happen to be very relevant. Different flutes affect the shape of the air column. These are good things to know prior to trying a flute as well. Sometimes there are no short explanations.
Thomas Mulligan I think these videos are supposed to give u a guide towards what fits you, but they aren't supposed to replace the experience of trying the flute yourself. The best way to choose a flute or any instrument is by trying it yourself imo. This is just to help narrow down your options so you don't end up having to try 500 flutes
![All About Flute Specs! Beginner's Edition [Flute Center]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZiS8k1wn2OM/mqdefault.jpg)
![All About Flute Specs! Beginner's Edition [Flute Center]](/img/tr.png)
![Gemeinhardt 3SHB & 33SHB ft. Galway Crusader headjoint [Flute Center]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Rla5q7kY3Jg/mqdefault.jpg)
In-Depth description so vivid & detailed, makes this Pearl Flute video just excellent.
I am currently playing a 665 it has served me well but when you get to a certain level you definitely get frustrated with that springy mechanism (sometimes difficult to keep smooth rapid passages). Time for a major upgrade. The head joint is great but the lower register articulation is a little airy. my teacher also has tried my flute and made the same comment on the lower register articulation.
Brilliant reviewer! The concept of the lipstick tube is helpful as well as the air and tonguing placement. Thank you
I have this flute! Joanna, you make the best flute reviews than any other person. Thank you!
A few years back when I decided to learn playing flute (partly because of your videos) I got a Pearl 525 for myself (basically the same as the 505 but with a silver lip plate). Because of lack of time (i usually get home from work after/around 7 PM which is too late to start playing flute in a block of flats) I did not really get far, but I still love this flute. Good to see a review of them now :)
I got Pearl 525 few months ago and i love it to! Its great flute for the price and that sliver lip plate really makes the difference!
Hi J. I have a hundred year old Haynes flute. It came to me through my uncle who played it in the late 20’s and 30’s. I don’t play it but I don’t want to sell either. I’m telling you this because it came with same little caps that the Pearl did except that they were made of silver. I don’t know why they stopped including those either. Thanks for your videos. David In Sonora CA
I haven't tried Pearl flutes before but I've heard from a few people who have owned Pearl flutes ( at least the older models have had mechanical problems). My last teacher, her backup flute was a Pearl but her main flute was a Powell body with a 14k gold Nagahara headjoint. However, I did try a Pearl piccolo once and I was surprised with the sound that I got. Out of the flutes that were reviewed I prefer the Pearl 665😃❤️🎼🎹🎶
Pearl piccolo review next? :)
Hahahaha, I knew this request was coming! ;)
JustAnotherFlutist I fully trust your reviews!
JustAnotherFlutist Hate to say it but Yamaha's piccs are far superior in my opinion to Pearl's...or at least that's what I found when testing them before I bought my YPC-81.
Flute Sax Synth I haven't gotten to try an 81 yet but I did like the 62 when I used to have one. How do they compare?
Michael Nguyen They are quite similar; however, one big difference for me was the reformed lip plate on the 81R which in my opinion makes it easier for me to switch between it and the flute. In addition, the 81R has a noticeably much warmer tone (especially in the lower range) and can also play a low D much loader than the 62. My teacher has the 62 and she said that this is typical of higher quality piccs. The middle range is very 'sweet sounding' and the high notes are really quite easy to get out with a good technique and sound great. Yamaha's statement is that "the YPC81R is a handcrafted professional instrument offering the highest possible quality of workmanship, leading to the highest possible quality of sound production" and I would agree.
Having said that, the 62 is still a very good picc and is quite a bit cheaper than the 81 so it is a perfectly good alternative; as I said, my teacher has a 62 and it is serving her very well.
I am by no means an expert and these are only my opinions so don't take what I have wrote as gospel; I am just a 16 year old musician! There is a YPC-62 review on this channel if you want to check that out.
I've never played on these models but I have played the 765 with the same forza silver headjoint and yes lol it's the sharp drop off that makes it so loud. It was my favorite. These flutes are great for students ^_^
Those flutes make my Yamaha flute look so basic
Luna Fox Same. I have a beginner flute that I rent. Let us hope I buy a flute. If only there was a flute emoji.
Gabrielle Diroll same lol
Luna Fox 😂😂😂 it only depends on your model models 400 and up in yamaha make these look basic
Luna Fox lol yeah and I've got a student model too lel, so I was just like, "o_O okie this is just... wow"
Yeah I can agree about the Yamahas
My Yamaha 687H puts my friends' flutes to shame.
the pearl 505 is very similar to almost exactly the same as the way my flute is! This gave me some clarification of the things that I would notice but never really knew how to explain. when I play on my friends flute the highest register comes out easily, pretty responsive. it kind of frustrates me because I know im able to hit those very top notes but it feels like I have to force them out on mine with a lot more air. I've always wondered if its because I got my flute off of ebay and it may not be the best quality (its unbranded). Or that's just the way my flute is constructed
I've got a pearl 505 so it was fun and interesting to watch your review (because I really love you)!
Just watched this two and a half years later and see that the Pearl 665 has a headjoint choice of Largo, Forza, or Brezza which you don't mention in this video -- just the sharp drop-off on the front edge of the lip plate -- do you know which of these headjoints you were using? How to choose among the three?
Thank you for all your videos!
Thanks, you just helped me choose my flute for my solo performance!
Thanks for all your great videos! I heard about an intermediate Pearl flute available with a few headjoint options; I need to try a closed-hole version of this if possible. What do you suggest please?
Altus and Azumi flutes have a gorgeous tealish green velvet and I love it.
So now a little story, how I got my pearl flute... I'm at my aunt's house right now.
So three days before, I arrived here and I went up in a room with a lot of old stuff like childrens books, toys and other things. Last time when I was up there I was really short and those shelfs looked so big. Now they don't, so I could see what's on them. I saw a bag that looked like a bag for a flute. I tried to take it down, but it was stuck on the wall... So my brother ripped it off and now there's no pain't on the wall, but on the bag👌😂. I took the case out of the bag and opened it. The flute was black, it looked kinda gross. But anyways, I played it and it sounded so damn good... even better than my yamaha flute. After that I ran downstairs and asked my aunt things about the flute. We talked alot and at the end she said that I can keep the flute if I want to.
It's a pearl 501, the sound is really good. When I'm back home I'll bring it to the store and let them polish it and replace everything that's too old or broken. The flute has been there for 20+ years, so it's pretty old...
lalas best Lovely experience
,:-0
My baby is a Pearl 665. She's been my faithful companion for 4 years. Works perfect for how I play.
She's beautiful!!!!
And so well behaved! :)
Oh, so that's the reason why I never understood the ball-shaped air you are usually talking about! I have a Pearl 505 (though it is a closed hole modell), been using and loving it for 10 years now, and it only needed some minor adjustments with the keys and a cork change, I think it's an amazing instrument for non-professionals!
Hello! i just bought a Pearl flute 525... have you tried this model of flute? if yes... :) do you have any observations about it? it would be awesome. :) thank you!
i tried last week and oh my god!!! so clear and full on every register. i think that will me my next flute (now i have a 150 euros flute that i got 4 months ago and he's already leaving me...)
edit: i tried the 505 too and the 525 beats it by quite a few measures. they are very different.
I'm looking at a used 40th Anniversary Edition Pearl 665. I hope it sounds as good as the new one you played. A bit of a step up from my Armstrong 80B
They had step up instruments at band for us to try today and they had a Yamaha and a pearl 505 nobody in my section could get a noise out of it and if they could it was either really sharp or flat, do you think it was the music store or the pearl company? The Yamaha was easy for everyone to play though
YES! I've been waiting so long for this review! :)
I've got the Pearl 695 Dolce and I love it! it works really well for me!
Wonderful!!! Pearls are known to be awesome flutes!
Amy_Louise what’s the difference between the dolce and the quantz?
I got the 665 vigore for my first flute a few weeks ago and I love it!
Thanks for the review. Will you be doing a review on the 795?
Could you maybe do a review on a good flute for beginners??? (I am going from clarinet to flute)
In another cut it’s revealed that she originally said _”...so, for those of you who don’t know what French Tonguing is... I pity you 😎”_
Then she recorded the final, family-friendly one we’re seeing
I know I’m late to the comment party here, but I would love to see a review of the Pearl 795 here!
I have the Pearl 665 RBE and I love it 💕🎵
An Alto Flute next?
Maybe a Trevor James or Miyazawa :)
So if FCNY reads the comments... Can I get a discount? :P
i hear the "airiness" when you played. seems that it sounds just like what I heard when i demoed the 695 and the 795.
What are the differences on the head joints and how do you choose one over the other?
head joints: Largo, Forza, Brezza
This is the first Pearl Flute review that I've seen that is so helpful. Thanks for that ! Are there any plans to review Trevor James flutes ? In particular the Virtuoso and Cantabile models. Thanks ! (p.s. Slytherin forever !)
Could you review headjoints??
Specially Garner headjoints
You should look into Eldred Spell headjoints. Those headjoints have pretty cool features like the Garner ones
Is a Yamaha 225 SII good for a beginner? My Dougther is 10 Years old. She loves flute
i just love your review videos, is the nagahara or brannen on your list?
Does all pearl flutes have pinless mechanism? I heard that even their student model flutes have the pinless mechanism.
can you review the Di Zhao 700 and the Di Zhao 705
I'm Fancy for Yamaha wood flute YFL 894WH :)
Greeting from Chiang Mai, Thailand.
They're AMAZING!
Ok !!!! Pero el precio es 8 veces mayor !! La flauta Pearl 665 su valor es de 1200 Dóllars. Yamaha 894 WH su valor es de 10.000 Dóllars !!!!
What's your opinion on the Pearl Elegante Series 795 RBE model flute? I'm thinking about getting that one.
i am a beginner and I have learned a lot from watching your videos. These flutes are nice but I bet you could get a beautiful tone out of a random paint can.
are you allowed to remove the key plugs? was thinking of doing a trial, but that thought crossed my mind LOL
I own the 665 but with an inline g instead and I love it so much and this review was really helpful to know the fullest potential of my flute 😊
I've been hearing that lots of people of the Pearl 665, so I made this video both for people who are looking into it and for people who already own it! I'm so glad this review helped you out! :D
How about the pearl dolce 695?
How do you deal with saliva? I find that it will sometimes get in the way of my playing out of nowhere. Air bubbles and whatnot.
Is it bad that I'm a 6th grade 1st year flutist learning Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream?
It comes with the case right? And can I still use the promo code??
Does anybody know the model of the head joint in the 665
how about Sankyo flutes?
How much does the pearl 505 cost?
Hey how about a Nagahara?
Azumi a3 review?
More DiZhao please
JUST GOT AN IDEA we flute players can have free skype lessons together maybe someone is a little more advanced than the other he will help them !!
i am in! good idea!
How about a review on the Anime AZ2? Or Burkart Resona
Can u do a tutorial on mozarts 1st flute concerto
Huh, that's interesting, I might mention it in one of my future livestreams, so tune in!
Yay
So...when is FCNY going to sponsor you in a giveaway of a flute? Because all of the flutes you review I can't afford...;D
How about a pearl piccolo review! :)
I just got the Pearl 505 as a gift from flute center of New York and it doesn’t work :/ the high notes (above G) and the more open notes (B, C, etc) work great but the mid and low range notes don’t work at all. I’m super disappointed with them
Would you recommend the 665 for a music minor?
I would totally get the 505
Can you make a review of Burkart Flutes? I just bought a Burkart 9k/Ag and it's fantastic. #teamburkart
so nice!
I have the 665. Honestly I liked it very much all this time (I got it like 4 years ago) but now since I have practiced much more than previous years, I just feel it doesn't respond well to me in some very fast passages. Makes so much noise.. However when I ever bought my next flute I will keep it for being my first student flute! :D
Nice review, very detailed!
Great video 😊 interesting to see that Pearl flutes seem to be very popular. Where I'm from, they have a rather bad reputation for some reason... Also, could review a flute with wooden headjoint or lip plate? 🙂
Wooden headjoint with a silver flute was Theobald Böehm's favorite setup. It was what he saw as ideal, and is the setup I have on my piccolo; wood headjoint (ebonite extra for sketchy conditions) with solid silver body.
Though of all, Böehm preferred the alto flute, interestingly enough
First like 👍
Love this channel taught me how to play flute
OMG, I hope everything I have said thus far has been helpful!!! Thank you so much for watching!!
Subscribed as soon as she said slytherin😂💚also really appreciate the review!
Proud Slytherin! :P 💚
Here in Germany you can only get Pearl 505 with a C foot joint..
What flute practice books do you recommend? I bought the Trevor wye books 1-6 and I love them, and then the "complete daily exercises" by him as well, are there any others I should have my eye on?
My case has a bottle green velvety lining :) it is pretty :) 🐍
Next do cheaper alto flutes for doublers!
My flute came with the plastic caps
Those flutes are so jazzy... at least I have a flute though
I love your videos
Thank you so much!
Why this extreme focus on this subjective air shape and mouth air tube feeling?
Second like 👍🏻. I actually own the 665; it's a really great flute and I love playing it!
It's beautiful!!
Flute Sax Synth hey me to lol
Love it! ♥
love love perl flute
We need to get Joanna more subscribers! Music nerds unite!
PLZ DO A NAGAHARA 😂😂😂
I have the Pearl 505 🦋 :D
I have the pearl 665.
SLYTHERIN FAM!🐍❤️
I just found your wonderful site, and your reviews are really helpful. Consider a better sponsor who throws out shorter commercials, and you might get paid more often. Your particular sponsor thinks that their ads are so entertaining, but I don't. I pass them by. Sorry.
Slytherin?!?! Hhahaha. I love it
🐍🐍🐍
You missed an 'a' in your name
I just do not get this whole "shape of the air coming out of your mouth" and it "being higher and further back". Seems crazy to me, not sure why such huge sections of the video are devoted to " describing" this. it's way too subjective and unrelatable.
Thomas Mulligan um, I sorta get it.
Cindy hardy Hey Cindy thanks for the reply. Possibly - I just don't find this whole "lipstick shape" and "cone shape" or "spinning of the air in your mouth" useful concepts at all. I think those explanations at tediously long and unclear. Love Joanna's videos apart from these FCNY ones! I hope they're going well for her though ❤
I think they happen to be very relevant. Different flutes affect the shape of the air column. These are good things to know prior to trying a flute as well. Sometimes there are no short explanations.
Thomas Mulligan I think these videos are supposed to give u a guide towards what fits you, but they aren't supposed to replace the experience of trying the flute yourself. The best way to choose a flute or any instrument is by trying it yourself imo. This is just to help narrow down your options so you don't end up having to try 500 flutes
Feelings matter to those who feel it
I have a pearl 665 :)
Azumi flutes!
I was thinking about getting a flute but then I realized that I was an oboe player. I'm too stupid for my own good😅
Omg I have the pearl 505 XD
how is your experience with it?
that's my flute haha
Ima just stick with my 175$ flute from Facebook.
get a cannonball flute!!!
Nah, hufflepuffs are the best 🤓
Too much yakking. Skip the tutorials and just demonstrate the instruments. Oy.
I know Altus Azumi, Altus and Resona all have green interiors :) they are so pretty