Is there any difference in sound between B-footed and C-footed flutes?

Question

I want to buy a flute. Maybe some Pearl student model. I heard that flutes with B-foot can sound better than normal flutes with C foot or just different (?darker sound?) . Is it true? I like the idea of having a flute with darker sound...but don't want to spend another 100 dollars for just something I'm not sure about...

Answer 1

Hi SK,

What you have heard is wrong.   Flutes with B foot and those with C foot sound no different.  It is a matter of the construction materials of the flute, the wall thickness of the flute and the headjoint that will be factors in making a difference in the sound of each flute.   For example..... professional musicians (flute players) in the European and Asian orchestras play on C foot flutes and always have.   Professional players here in the US prefer the B foot (or most of them do).   Some professionals will play solid gold flutes - which have a very dark sound....  and platinum, even darker.   Players will also choose to get custom headjoints to achieve the darker - or perhaps brighter sound.... it has nothing to do with the foot so you should not be concerned with that.    To be honest though,  what is a factor of consideration is the resale value of a flute.  Because Bfoot is more in demand here in the US,  should you decide you want to sell your flute.... you will sell it faster and get more money for it... if it is a B foot.

Your choice:  Pearl beginner flutes are very nice... but I will tell you, their mechanism is a bit tricky and technical to work on.  When they go out of adjustment, it is more of a repair than simple little tweeking and also.... not every repair person is  great at working on the type of mechanism on the Pearl flutes... I find them more delicate... so if you do choose Pearl... you have to be VERY careful when handling.

The Yamaha student model is more study and built to take a l*****g.  That does not mean you can abuse your flute,  but they don't go out of adjustment quite as easily and are much simpler to take apart, repair, adjust and re-assemble.  Yamahas are also very popular and much in demand.... which also allows for a quicker sale.

To dispell some of the misconceptions:

Should you decide on the Pearl or perhaps consider the Yamaha...  both of these flutes will most likely be silver plated,  not nickel plated.  

Only the professional model flutes will be completely sterling silver...  head, body, foot, keys machanism and lip plate.  Lower end models have silver plated mechanisms, keys, and lips plates, even if the tubing of the flute is sterling silver.  Under the lip turns black after playing due to the reaction between the chemicals in the skin and metal of the lip plate.

The "gold" lip plates you see on student and advanced/intermediate flutes  is not real gold,  but gold electro-plate - similar to gold plated jewelry and it also turns the lip black.

A B foot on a flute does not make it a Professional instrument by any stretch of the word.    What constitutes a professional flute is how it is crafted and with which materials.   Almost all professional model flutes are handcrafted, taking hours upon hours to build which reflects in the prices which are now in the neighborhood of $10,000 + depending on the metals they are made from - sterling silver, gold, platinum or titanium - or a combination.  Now-a-days companies are making student intermediate flutes that look like professional models...  and charging big bucks for them...  but people are just paying for the appearance of the instrument.

So, you probably did not ask for all of that info... but after reading the oher posts,  I saw where some people are mis-informed about flutes in general... and you don't need to be confused right from the start when you are trying to make a decision.  Mamianka has given the best of those comments as teachers and pro-level players have experience & know what they are talking about.

Thanks for reading...

   and have fun selecting your new flute.

Answer 2

There is no difference in sound. If you're a first-timer buying a flute, go with a C foot because it is less expensive and easier to learn on. The only differences are the following:

C foot only goes down to a low C

B foot goes one note lower to a low B, which no one really plays anyway

C foot is typically nickel-plated, so it can sometimes turn your lip blue

B foot is sliver plated and better quality, but way more expensive

B foot is considered "professional" and open-holed

B foot has a gold lip-plate

So, start off with a C-foot, and then later you can upgrade to a B-foot. The only way you can change the sound of a flute is by changing the place of the mouthpiece or blowing into it differently. Best of luck! Hope this helps! =]

Answer 3

A flute with a B-foot is usually a better quality flute, but not always. If you are planning on continuing your flute playing, I suggest a flute with a B-foot because it will allow you to play a low B-flat. If you are not going to keep playing throughout high school, or you don't want to be a competitive flute player (and participate in things such as Solo and Small Ensemble festivals or All-Suburban/All-State auditions), then you should just buy a regular flute with a C-foot. I hope this helps!

Answer 4

A low B foot does NOT allow you to play a B flat - jut a low B.  But that is NOT the main reason for having it - there are actually NOT that many works, solos or orchestral, that require a low B.  However, the added length and weight DOES help reduce shrillness in the upper-octave notes.  For example, the gizmo key that activates JUST the low B, is often called a *high C facilitator* - once you have a low B foot, you MUST use this to get the highest C - but it is less shrill, and easier to get.

If  you do not know what to do with it, do not plan on using it much, then do not bother getting it!  If you decide to get open hole, then get OFFSET - it will fit your hand much better, and forestall possible hand and wrist problems in the future.  Glad you are looking at Pearls - they are a good brand.  Good luck!

Answer 5

It doesn't make much of a difference sound wise between the B foot and C foot. The sound mostly varies depending on what it's made out of and the quality of the flute. Also, I'm pretty sure a flute is worth more than $100. One last tip: try different flutes out at the store. See which one has the best sound, then buy it.