Pearl Flutes PFA 201 ESU Alto Flute

Disclaimer:
Previous flute experience: 16 months.
Experience with this alto flute: 6 months.

After long deliberation, I bought this model because my teacher advised me to avoid the much cheaper "no-name" models due to frequent minor repairs.

In the case of the 201 ESU, you can not be worried about it, the flute is reliable and sturdy. The music school has been using an alto flute from Pearl for many years and is satisfied.

Especially as a beginner, you sometimes grab a bit harder because the hands are still cramping, my instrument was not bad for me.

Having the curved headpiece is definitely a plus. The attitude of the right hand is much more pleasant for me (1.8m tall). I can not tell from the point of view of the audience in terms of intonation / sound differences (apart from the fact that the sound holes on the curved head are closer to my ear and the flute sounds louder and clearer).

The first 2 registers speak very easily, sound warm and full. To my mind, the head has little resistance to blowing, the feeling of playing is "open" and "free".

The third register responds slightly to the gripped G '' ', but is shifted in the direction of # with the standard handles. That can surely be up to me, after all, I am not yet versed enough to reach the 3rd octave with ease and good intonation. The notes can be "bent" with the help of the ring or little finger, but speak as expected much more difficult than with the standard handles.
The sound is, as with all larger flutes, increasingly thin in the high range and rather shrill in the direction of the C '' '.

The workmanship is good, my teacher was delighted, from both sides there was nothing to complain about.

Even after 6 months, I always enjoy taking them out of the box.

Thomann was open for questions, very accommodating and the order was exemplary completed.