I have the same body but with a custom Miyazawa headjoint with a platinum riser. Somehow the sound is oddly closer to gold than silver now… but still love the body. Best in the price range in my opinion.
I bought an Azumi 3 during this pandemic through the Flute Center of New York! The timing was great, I did trials of many flutes, made my choice and bought it just before the lockdown. It took me awhile to get used to the Z cut and I had plenty of time to practice, but now I love it. Nice rich sound in the entire range of the flute. Notes come out clearly with no cracking. Articulation is quick and light. Finger response, like Katie said, is fast. Fast passages are easy to play, your fingers can really fly. I love my flute -- one of the concert bands that I play in meets for the first time later this month, I can't wait. Playing in a group again after so long will be great and I'll get to play my nice shiny new Azumi 3 flute! 😊
Can you explain what they mean by Altus-Bennet scale? Is this going to make a difference in what music I read? I'm only used to C flutes... This whole 'b flat scale' on a flute thing is totally throwing me off :)
@ Cerenade Me The Altus-Bennet scale refers to ease in intonation and it helps in keeping your notes more in tune. No worries about different "keys" -- your flute is a "C" flute which means, for instance, if you see an A in your music, you play the fingering for A and the sound that comes out is an A. (If you were to play an A on a piano it would sound like the same note on your flute.) Hope this helps!
👍Nice! Quite a while ago, these were very affordable, and I was going to get one to avoid playing my more expensive Muramatsu around a bunch of wannabe orchestra players (me included lol) or my (also expensive) Sankyo in other small combo groups, but that phase of my life ended, and I only play occasionally for fun at home these days. I always recommended the AZ3 flute for serious flute students that don’t want or can’t spend $5k-10k on a good flute. 👨🏻 Happy flute playing..🥳
Altus makes such gorgeous flutes! They are indeed very light and responsive. This flute sounds like it is not too far removed from the handmade 1107. Although I ultimately went with a Muramatsu GX, I absolutely loved the Altus and was sorry that I could not buy both. I love Japanese flutes! And step-up flutes have come a VERY long way in the past two decades. This is a really beautiful instrument.
I have this flute and love it! I tried out a Haynes and this flute and fell in love with it like it gave me goosebumps when I first played it. It’s such an easy playing flute it isn’t clunky. Best Buy ever.
I've been playing on this model with the original headjoint for 8 or 9 years now. Got it some time in high school and it carried me through college as a participant in wind ensemble, studio and flute choir. Now that COVID is clearing up I hope to find a community band wherever life takes me. The clarity this flute gives on the low notes though is *chef's kiss* Really nice when the flute section is only two people and you play 2nd.
Great review Katie, this is my flute and I love it too. And just noticed the price - it’s definitely increased in value since I bought mine so a really good investment for anyone thinking of buying one.
I was very close to buying the AZ-3, but went with the Altus 807, which is hand-made and silver plated. I then bought a second-hand Miguel Arista solid silver head joint. This head joint and the 807 body are just beautiful for me. 💕❤️
@@coycathode Very true. In a few years time, after I've had lessons, and hopefully done some grades, I would like to get a higher-end solid silver professional Altus, or Murumatsu. Around the 10 to 15 thousand dollar range (Australian dollars.) ❤️❤️❤️🎵
@@willistaylor4077 I've owned both as solid silver instruments and they are lovely. I then had to reduce weight so my current Altus with another headjoint is perfect.
I've been researching this flute all day today then your video popped up, speak of the devil. I want to try this flute out so badly even though I'm probably not ready for it yet. I will definitely be looking into this as a step up flute in the hopefully near future after I get better on my Yamaha 222. The first octave D on my flute is tricky due to the springs being so strong. I think it would be more fluid and easier to do that D in legato with scales and arpeggios with this flute versus the beginner one I'm using.
I got a sweet deal when I bought mine. It has a C# trill, split E, b footjoint, pointed arms and open holes and I paid under $3k for it, brand new. I think it retails for more than $4k now. I bought it from a local music store.
Always wanted to get one of these flutes, but never able to cough up the cash..just sticking with my flutes.. Sankyo Etude B and a Muramatsu with a Powell Philharmonic HJ .. and yes, for a serious intermediate player, I believe this is the way to go! 😉YMMV 🥳. I 👍 this vid
a lot of my fellow flute friends in marching band and concert band have azumi flutes. azumi is a really good brand i’ve heard but i’ve never played an azumi. i personally have a galway crusader gemeinhardt
Apparently the Azumi is available with the S-cut headjoint as well! Also, is it just my eyes or is the exposure or white balance constantly auto adjusting the tone of the image? It was a little distracting, but otherwise a very clear demo, thank you!
I would love for you to try/review flutes by independent makers: Landell, Lamberson, Goosman, etc. I bought a Jonathan Landell flute from FCNY right before the pandemic started, and I love it. I feel like I really got a good deal on it, and that I got a lot of flute for the price, if that makes sense. It plays beautifully, and the quality of the sound is just as good, if not better, than the professional flutes with similar features made by the big-name companies (which cost a lot more).
I‘ve played both a few times and to be honest: It‘s a good flute but the Altus 907 is in a different league (starting with the mechanism and the tone quality). In my opinion, I would always rather pick the Altus than the Azumi as the price is not that different (at least here in Germany, there is only a difference of around 500$) and the Altus will definitely last longer.
@@thoregulden4545 The price difference is big here in the US .. the 907 is a couple grand more than an AZ3 and it’s classed as a pre-professional flute, not an intermediate .the 907 doesn’t even have a solid silver body, it’s just a silver plated body, but it’s much more quality hand work and the reason why it costs almost twice as much.
To my untrained ears (I am not sure why I watch this channel as I don't play the flute, but I do), it sounds lovely, the high notes sounded very clean and NON shrill.
Which flute when all things are considered would be better? A Yamaha 500 series flute or an Azumi AZ3 with all the bells and whistles? Both seem close in price. If anyone has played on both of these please feel free to chime in. I'd also be curious as to what kind of wall these flutes have. I couldn't find specs on that. Where does the lightness in weight of the instrument come from?
I've been trialing flutes (using your code!) and loved this flute!! After doing some research, looking for a handmade solid silver flute, any suggestions on what would produce a similar sound with a solid silver body? I LOVE the volume and tone of this flute!!
This flute, Azumi 3, does have a solid silver body. I know, because that was why I decided to do a trial. The Azumi 1 and 2 have a solid silver headjoint with a silver plated body but the Azumi 3 is solid silver throughout.
That's why I loved the sound! Unfortunately it is an intermediate flute, and I'm in the market for a handmade/professional flute. If I were to get an intermediate flute this would be it! :)
@@frenchymelly Uhh, Sorry to state the obvious, but seems like you’re looking for an Altus professional flute, an 1107 with a C# trill key is about $7,000. .. I believe that is the starting point for Altus pro flutes.
You're right, that is the obvious choice lol...I should've expanded, what I meant was are there any makes aside from Altus that are as loud as the Azumi? The others I've tried just don't have the same volume. Going to try the 1107!
I was thrilled to hear you play Concertino as that's what I'm currently practicing after quite a long hiatus! (Covid was good for something, yay quarantine). I am seriously considering getting this model that you feature in this video, as I like the price point and sound quality...do you have some fun practice pieces that you'd recommend especially to test out flutes and also to get back in the swing of practicing?
I love my Altus 1107 flute, and it came with the Z cut head joint. It’s taken me around a year to 18 months to get used to the head joint, but it’s finally coming into its own. The Altus 1107 is a gorgeous flute, and I much prefer to my original choice which was the Altus 907 xx
@@katieflute It's not my very favorite. Maybe it's because I didn't take out the plugs, but it wasn't super resonant and the sound wasn't quite warm enough for me. Really nice response from high notes though! I prefer Trevor James, honestly, and I play on a pearl right now.
Hi, just bought an Azumi 3. I don't have a C# trill key or a split E mechanism so it's more bare bones but it still has the great sound and everything that Katie talked about. It brought the price down to 2,400 if that helps!
Hi Katie, thanks for all inspiring videos! I'm looking into buying a flute for our daughter who have played for 1.5 years and is currently hiring a Yamaha 211. I played during childhood/youth on a Blessing (Elkhart ind USA), which is cheap and "thin sound", almost impossible to play low C, and definitely "harder" to play than a Yamaha. But I've tried other handmade, which were extremely easy to play all tones from low to high transitions, so I'm not that impressed of Yamaha, feel they are a bit heavy to play as well. So I'm thinking that it could be a good idea to step up earlier than I did (never did). Personally enjoying fast pace melodies, from low to high tones without the need of "fighting" against the flute. I wonder if the Altus AZ2 or 3 could be an option for a beginner on the way to intermediate (something to grow into)? I kind of regret that I didn't step up after 5years during early 90s and thinking if it works after 1 year it could be the right way to go? Is the z head joint for intermediate++ only?
I only have one flute, and never even played on any other. It's an old Yamaha YFL-21S, so a beginner model. Closed holes, silver plated, C foot... But is hat a split E mechanism and an offset G. Especially the last two are often mentioned as features on intermediate flutes. Is it that uncommon to have a split E and offset G? I mean, the newer Yamaha flutes in the same range don't have a split E. (Just really curious, and want to learn all I can :p Not by any means a good player (or even a reasonable beginner IMHO...))
When you checkout there is a space to enter the code! If you are having trouble still you can call the flute center or email them, info@flutecenter.com :)
BUT...what did you find that is so different from a less expensive flute? Is YOUR flute so different from less expensive flutes that years of practice won't solve?
Well, imagine you want to go to China from France, so you get a small motorcycle that does 30 miles per hour. However, your neighbour wants to do the same but gets a better bike which does 60 miles per hour. No matter how much effort you put into your voyage, your neighbour will get there before you, or at least have a more confortable ride. It's the same with musical instruments!
![Azumi 1 & 2 [Flute Center]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9pA63oY58L0/mqdefault.jpg)
That’s the flute that I have!!! I love how it plays and sounds!
I have the same body but with a custom Miyazawa headjoint with a platinum riser. Somehow the sound is oddly closer to gold than silver now… but still love the body. Best in the price range in my opinion.
Ryan! I have the same but on my Miyazawa hdjt I have a gold riser
@@theboyL8 :o
Good... am purchasing it, good to know ya like it much
I play on this flute and I absolutely love it! It was interesting to see your first impressions.
I bought an Azumi 3 during this pandemic through the Flute Center of New York! The timing was great, I did trials of many flutes, made my choice and bought it just before the lockdown. It took me awhile to get used to the Z cut and I had plenty of time to practice, but now I love it. Nice rich sound in the entire range of the flute. Notes come out clearly with no cracking. Articulation is quick and light. Finger response, like Katie said, is fast. Fast passages are easy to play, your fingers can really fly. I love my flute -- one of the concert bands that I play in meets for the first time later this month, I can't wait. Playing in a group again after so long will be great and I'll get to play my nice shiny new Azumi 3 flute! 😊
I bought mine during the pandemic last November. I love it. Playing fast is so much easier. I love my tone as well.
Can you explain what they mean by Altus-Bennet scale? Is this going to make a difference in what music I read? I'm only used to C flutes... This whole 'b flat scale' on a flute thing is totally throwing me off :)
@ Cerenade Me The Altus-Bennet scale refers to ease in intonation and it helps in keeping your notes more in tune. No worries about different "keys" -- your flute is a "C" flute which means, for instance, if you see an A in your music, you play the fingering for A and the sound that comes out is an A. (If you were to play an A on a piano it would sound like the same note on your flute.) Hope this helps!
👍Nice! Quite a while ago, these were very affordable, and I was going to get one to avoid playing my more expensive Muramatsu around a bunch of wannabe orchestra players (me included lol) or my (also expensive) Sankyo in other small combo groups, but that phase of my life ended, and I only play occasionally for fun at home these days.
I always recommended the AZ3 flute for serious flute students that don’t want or can’t spend $5k-10k on a good flute. 👨🏻 Happy flute playing..🥳
Altus makes such gorgeous flutes! They are indeed very light and responsive. This flute sounds like it is not too far removed from the handmade 1107. Although I ultimately went with a Muramatsu GX, I absolutely loved the Altus and was sorry that I could not buy both. I love Japanese flutes! And step-up flutes have come a VERY long way in the past two decades. This is a really beautiful instrument.
This is one of the flutes I am saving up for, as I prepare to step up from my Yamaha student flute- hopefully within 3 years.
I have this flute and love it! I tried out a Haynes and this flute and fell in love with it like it gave me goosebumps when I first played it. It’s such an easy playing flute it isn’t clunky. Best Buy ever.
I've been playing on this model with the original headjoint for 8 or 9 years now. Got it some time in high school and it carried me through college as a participant in wind ensemble, studio and flute choir. Now that COVID is clearing up I hope to find a community band wherever life takes me. The clarity this flute gives on the low notes though is *chef's kiss* Really nice when the flute section is only two people and you play 2nd.
sounds amazing!!
I love that everything is silver (- the mechanism) and not silver plated, the sound is beautiful!!
How many of the pieces that I played did you recognize?
Fantasia 😍😍😍 One of the best ever solo unaccompanied piece
All of the
*them
Telemann Fantasy Number 2😍
I just got this flute for Christmas and it is definitely my favorite yet!
Great review Katie, this is my flute and I love it too. And just noticed the price - it’s definitely increased in value since I bought mine so a really good investment for anyone thinking of buying one.
Please try the Azumi with the S cut. It's classy and not only about response but also about nice tone quality
Ooh Katie, would love to see you try the new Resona 300
I was very close to buying the AZ-3, but went with the Altus 807, which is hand-made and silver plated.
I then bought a second-hand Miguel Arista solid silver head joint.
This head joint and the 807 body are just beautiful for me. 💕❤️
Arista and Altus work together like a dream. I have the 1007 + a Juan Arista. So nice. Also have an 807 and love this just as much.
@@coycathode
Very true.
In a few years time, after I've had lessons, and hopefully done some grades, I would like to get a higher-end solid silver professional Altus, or Murumatsu.
Around the 10 to 15 thousand dollar range
(Australian dollars.)
❤️❤️❤️🎵
@@willistaylor4077 I've owned both as solid silver instruments and they are lovely. I then had to reduce weight so my current Altus with another headjoint is perfect.
@@coycathode ❤️
It would be be nice to have that solid silver tube one day.
A Murumatsu GX, or equivalent Altus may be nice.
@@willistaylor4077 One day. Both of these are excellent options.
Hi Katie
I would love a review(s) on the Murumatsu GX and Ds Flutes.
Also, on higher-end Altus Flutes.
Thanks, William. ❤️❤️🎵💕🎵🎵
AHHHHHH I have one of these models I believe I have the Asumi One but it’s still exciting
I've been researching this flute all day today then your video popped up, speak of the devil. I want to try this flute out so badly even though I'm probably not ready for it yet. I will definitely be looking into this as a step up flute in the hopefully near future after I get better on my Yamaha 222. The first octave D on my flute is tricky due to the springs being so strong. I think it would be more fluid and easier to do that D in legato with scales and arpeggios with this flute versus the beginner one I'm using.
You can definitely get the spring tension lightened by a flute technician!
I love my Azumi ❤️
I got a sweet deal when I bought mine. It has a C# trill, split E, b footjoint, pointed arms and open holes and I paid under $3k for it, brand new. I think it retails for more than $4k now. I bought it from a local music store.
Great review! That Altus Z cut seems to work really really well for you - I remember thinking the same in your Altus/Brannen/Burkart review video too
This is the flute that I play on but I have a Haynes headjoint with a 9k gold lip plate. My sound has never been “beefier” 😅
Ooo that sounds like an awesome combo!! 😍
You should review the Di Zhao 700!!
You should try nagahara flutes I love them so bad
Always wanted to get one of these flutes, but never able to cough up the cash..just sticking with my flutes.. Sankyo Etude B and a Muramatsu with a Powell Philharmonic HJ ..
and yes, for a serious intermediate player, I believe this is the way to go!
😉YMMV 🥳. I 👍 this vid
a lot of my fellow flute friends in marching band and concert band have azumi flutes. azumi is a really good brand i’ve heard but i’ve never played an azumi. i personally have a galway crusader gemeinhardt
I'm think I tried the azumi flute they told me it is a great flute.
Katie read my mind on what video to do next !! 😍
I feel violated ! 😁
No worries, just humor! 👨🏻
Apparently the Azumi is available with the S-cut headjoint as well! Also, is it just my eyes or is the exposure or white balance constantly auto adjusting the tone of the image? It was a little distracting, but otherwise a very clear demo, thank you!
Inspiring playing! Beautiful! What songs are you playing? Enchanting and delightful.
This was 1 of 3 flutes i trialed when moving up from my (counterfeit) yamaha. It came pretty close but my Yamaha felt way better for me.
I tried this flute in February and hated how I sounded with it. Sounds fab with you playing it though.
It sounds really nice
I have the azumi with the rose gold lip plate/crown altus headjoin
Could you review the Powell Sonare 905?
I would love for you to try/review flutes by independent makers: Landell, Lamberson, Goosman, etc. I bought a Jonathan Landell flute from FCNY right before the pandemic started, and I love it. I feel like I really got a good deal on it, and that I got a lot of flute for the price, if that makes sense. It plays beautifully, and the quality of the sound is just as good, if not better, than the professional flutes with similar features made by the big-name companies (which cost a lot more).
It sounds amazing! How does it compare to the Altus 907?
I‘ve played both a few times and to be honest: It‘s a good flute but the Altus 907 is in a different league (starting with the mechanism and the tone quality). In my opinion, I would always rather pick the Altus than the Azumi as the price is not that different (at least here in Germany, there is only a difference of around 500$) and the Altus will definitely last longer.
@@thoregulden4545 The price difference is big here in the US .. the 907 is a couple grand more than an AZ3 and it’s classed as a pre-professional flute, not an intermediate .the 907 doesn’t even have a solid silver body, it’s just a silver plated body, but it’s much more quality hand work and the reason why it costs almost twice as much.
😍those French composers!
To my untrained ears (I am not sure why I watch this channel as I don't play the flute, but I do), it sounds lovely, the high notes sounded very clean and NON shrill.
Which flute when all things are considered would be better? A Yamaha 500 series flute or an Azumi AZ3 with all the bells and whistles? Both seem close in price. If anyone has played on both of these please feel free to chime in. I'd also be curious as to what kind of wall these flutes have. I couldn't find specs on that. Where does the lightness in weight of the instrument come from?
I've been trialing flutes (using your code!) and loved this flute!! After doing some research, looking for a handmade solid silver flute, any suggestions on what would produce a similar sound with a solid silver body? I LOVE the volume and tone of this flute!!
This flute, Azumi 3, does have a solid silver body. I know, because that was why I decided to do a trial.
The Azumi 1 and 2 have a solid silver headjoint with a silver plated body but the Azumi 3 is solid silver throughout.
That's why I loved the sound! Unfortunately it is an intermediate flute, and I'm in the market for a handmade/professional flute. If I were to get an intermediate flute this would be it! :)
Ah, now I understand. Good luck in your search!
@@frenchymelly Uhh, Sorry to state the obvious, but seems like you’re looking for an Altus professional flute, an 1107 with a C# trill key is about $7,000. ..
I believe that is the starting point for Altus pro flutes.
You're right, that is the obvious choice lol...I should've expanded, what I meant was are there any makes aside from Altus that are as loud as the Azumi? The others I've tried just don't have the same volume. Going to try the 1107!
I was thrilled to hear you play Concertino as that's what I'm currently practicing after quite a long hiatus! (Covid was good for something, yay quarantine). I am seriously considering getting this model that you feature in this video, as I like the price point and sound quality...do you have some fun practice pieces that you'd recommend especially to test out flutes and also to get back in the swing of practicing?
Hi Katie , can you review ALTUS FLUTE 907,1007,1107
I have a video reviewing the 1107 coming up soon! Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it ☺️
I love my Altus 1107 flute, and it came with the Z cut head joint. It’s taken me around a year to 18 months to get used to the head joint, but it’s finally coming into its own. The Altus 1107 is a gorgeous flute, and I much prefer to my original choice which was the Altus 907 xx
I played this flute today at work lol
!! What did you think?
@@katieflute It's not my very favorite. Maybe it's because I didn't take out the plugs, but it wasn't super resonant and the sound wasn't quite warm enough for me. Really nice response from high notes though! I prefer Trevor James, honestly, and I play on a pearl right now.
Now I want this flute
Edit: ive just seen the price
Hi, just bought an Azumi 3. I don't have a C# trill key or a split E mechanism so it's more bare bones but it still has the great sound and everything that Katie talked about. It brought the price down to 2,400 if that helps!
Hi Katie, thanks for all inspiring videos!
I'm looking into buying a flute for our daughter who have played for 1.5 years and is currently hiring a Yamaha 211. I played during childhood/youth on a Blessing (Elkhart ind USA), which is cheap and "thin sound", almost impossible to play low C, and definitely "harder" to play than a Yamaha.
But I've tried other handmade, which were extremely easy to play all tones from low to high transitions, so I'm not that impressed of Yamaha, feel they are a bit heavy to play as well. So I'm thinking that it could be a good idea to step up earlier than I did (never did). Personally enjoying fast pace melodies, from low to high tones without the need of "fighting" against the flute. I wonder if the Altus AZ2 or 3 could be an option for a beginner on the way to intermediate (something to grow into)? I kind of regret that I didn't step up after 5years during early 90s and thinking if it works after 1 year it could be the right way to go? Is the z head joint for intermediate++ only?
I only have one flute, and never even played on any other. It's an old Yamaha YFL-21S, so a beginner model. Closed holes, silver plated, C foot...
But is hat a split E mechanism and an offset G. Especially the last two are often mentioned as features on intermediate flutes.
Is it that uncommon to have a split E and offset G? I mean, the newer Yamaha flutes in the same range don't have a split E.
(Just really curious, and want to learn all I can :p Not by any means a good player (or even a reasonable beginner IMHO...))
Can you try the eastar flute its cheap and its good from what ive hearf
8:10 what are those pieces called aaaaaaaaaaaa
8:52
Omg is that the sibling of my flute I see?
you are too good....it just makes me wonder how an intermediate player would sound.....lol
i have this exact same flute
My daughter tried this flute and loved it but she was ending up buying Amadeus 780 instead.
Where do I go on the website to enter the code? I can't find it!
When you checkout there is a space to enter the code! If you are having trouble still you can call the flute center or email them, info@flutecenter.com :)
@@katieflute Thank you so much! The Azumi from this video is 1 I can't wait to try!
@@bradley3582 you're so welcome! I hope you enjoy trying it- let me know what you think!
Considering the price, it's a bargain!!
BUT...what did you find that is so different from a less expensive flute? Is YOUR flute so different from less expensive flutes that years of practice won't solve?
Well, imagine you want to go to China from France, so you get a small motorcycle that does 30 miles per hour. However, your neighbour wants to do the same but gets a better bike which does 60 miles per hour. No matter how much effort you put into your voyage, your neighbour will get there before you, or at least have a more confortable ride. It's the same with musical instruments!