Eason: Concert or Professional?

[smoleasternheretic]

Hello! I'm looking at dizis on Eason and was hoping someone could explain this to me, as I'm a bit confused.

From my understanding, Professional < Concert. This flute (https://www.easonmusicstore.com/webshaper/store/viewProd.asp?pkProductItem=133&pkProduct=133) is called a Professional one but in the Product Specifications, it says it's Concert grade. However, other flutes of the same type (such as www.easonmusicstore.com/products/Professional-Grade-A-key-Dizi-by-XB/131) are Professional grade. Is it correct that some of the keys are Concert grade but other keys of the same line are Professional grade?

Also as a beginner flute:
- I know D key is recommended for beginners -- would the F key be okay though? I don't really have big hands or fingers, which made me think maybe F key would be an okay size for me.
- I was looking at the model above and also this line (https://www.easonmusicstore.com/products/Concert-Grade-F-key-Dizi-by-XB/136) because they're $55 and $80, respectively, which isn't on the super expensive end. Are those good enough or would you recommend that I get one of the more expensive ones on Eason? (Like maybe a DXH one? Those seem to cost more)

Thanks!

Edit:
For background, I'm a beginner with no flute experience of any kind! Currently just messing around with a $10 flute and feeling like the pitch sounds perhaps a bit off.

Edit 2 (the tl;dr): 
Looks like it was just a typo and the flute is Professional grade! If you look at the listing now, it'll show that and Eason also replied via Facebook that it's Professional.

[phoenixiao]

Perhaps you’ve not seen their comparison?
www.easonmusicschool.com/comparing-2-models-of-dizi/

The “grade” of Chinese instruments usually means better/more expensive material used but the instrument won’t have new/advanced features unlike the western flute.

For beginners the tone difference may not make a difference and if the aim is not formal public performance, then the money can be saved for future additional dizi in different keys or on fees for lessons. What I experienced is that having lessons helps to maximise the potential of the flute and eventually you’ll instinctively know when an upgrade is needed.

There are older posts in this forum discussing similar topic, do take a read.

[smoleasternheretic]

Nov 16, 2019 6:18:54 GMT phoenixiao said:

Perhaps you’ve not seen their comparison?
www.easonmusicschool.com/comparing-2-models-of-dizi/

The “grade” of Chinese instruments usually means better/more expensive material used but the instrument won’t have new/advanced features unlike the western flute.

For beginners the tone difference may not make a difference and if the aim is not formal public performance, then the money can be saved for future additional dizi in different keys or on fees for lessons. What I experienced is that having lessons helps to maximise the potential of the flute and eventually you’ll instinctively know when an upgrade is needed.

There are older posts in this forum discussing similar topic, do take a read.

Firstly, thanks for your answer. I have seen that video, though I don't believe those are the types I'm looking at! (One of them is and the other is Premium, which I figure is far better than what I need at this point.)
My main question was more to clear up potentially conflicting information since a flute labeled "Professional" is specified as "Concert" -- I decided to message Eason on Facebook instead to see if they can clear up my confusion. I think the answer to my question will be better found directly from the source, as it's relatively specific and not addressed on the forum.

[smoleasternheretic]

Final follow-up! (Not that anyone is reading, but on the off chance someone is...)
Looks like they edited it to Professional in the Product Specifications to match the name! So it's indeed Professional.

[phoenixiao]

That’s interesting. It does make shopping on Internet a bit frustrating. Eason is ok as I attended their classes for Xiao last year.

[smoleasternheretic]

Nov 18, 2019 7:04:53 GMT phoenixiao said:

That’s interesting. It does make shopping on Internet a bit frustrating. Eason is ok as I attended their classes for Xiao last year.

Ah, well, mistakes happen! But Eason responded pretty quickly so that's the most anyone can ask for!

[davidmdahl]

The answers to your questions have been about what I would have said, so I don't have much to add. The descriptions of "Professional" and "Concert" for any Chinese instruments are really only useful for distinguishing quality levels from a specific vendor. A "Professional" quality instrument does not really mean that it would likely be played by a Chinese professional. Top players and teachers have access to the best instruments made by a maker. They do not generally find the best instruments at a music store. If a music store winds up with a special instrument, it will likely be saved for their best customers.

That said, I have had excellent luck ordering instruments of all sorts from Eason. As musical instruments go, the top models of dizi at Eason are not very expensive. The better models typically have more care in the embouchure and finger holes. A novice dizi may not play well or at all in the higher octaves. Usually, that is not too important for a beginner, but it can be very frustrating if your dizi is holding you back.

As for key, the C and D keys are about ideal for most beginners. A higher key, such as F or G, will require a more focused opening in the lips, and can lead to too much tightness. Of course, too much stretch for small hands is not good either. Maybe a F dizi will be a reasonable compromise. It is not a very useful key for playing tunes with others, but may be okay for learning.

Best wishes,

David

[smoleasternheretic]

Nov 18, 2019 17:55:34 GMT davidmdahl said:

The answers to your questions have been about what I would have said, so I don't have much to add. The descriptions of "Professional" and "Concert" for any Chinese instruments are really only useful for distinguishing quality levels from a specific vendor. A "Professional" quality instrument does not really mean that it would likely be played by a Chinese professional. Top players and teachers have access to the best instruments made by a maker. They do not generally find the best instruments at a music store. If a music store winds up with a special instrument, it will likely be saved for their best customers.

That said, I have had excellent luck ordering instruments of all sorts from Eason. As musical instruments go, the top models of dizi at Eason are not very expensive. The better models typically have more care in the embouchure and finger holes. A novice dizi may not play well or at all in the higher octaves. Usually, that is not too important for a beginner, but it can be very frustrating if your dizi is holding you back.

As for key, the C and D keys are about ideal for most beginners. A higher key, such as F or G, will require a more focused opening in the lips, and can lead to too much tightness. Of course, too much stretch for small hands is not good either. Maybe a F dizi will be a reasonable compromise. It is not a very useful key for playing tunes with others, but may be okay for learning.

Best wishes,

David

Thank you (both!) for all your answers! I understand the Professional vs Concert differentiation much more now.

Over the weekend, it happens that a friend decided to gift me an F from Eason, so now I really do hope I can make an F key work. I have no one else to play with at the moment so hopefully not having many friends comes in handy for once. Thanks again!