What is a good type of a flute?

Question

i was looking on internet of types of flutes and i need it for begginer student for band. And what types are good stuff. and my band teacher said yammaha sp? was a good type i see a bunch about uhm years and brands and number of holes and if its e and i need a good brand and all that fun stuff for ideas and will i want intermediate or what?

Answer 1

Okay given that you are new to the flute world, I would highly advise you stay away from auctions. Auctions can be good deals, but since you are looking for a beginning flute, those deals aren't much different than buying in a store. And a store offers security and variety and trials : )

I would try to find a local band instrument store, they should have a flute specialist there to help advise you on what they have, different brands and prices.

I started on a New Gemeinhardt, which I love still to this day (I have a 2 professional flutes now, but I find that I still go back and play it) I played it all the way till college. Gemeinhard, Selmer, Armstrong, Emerson, Yamaha will all make a beginning model.

Depending on the budget, you should aim for nickel plated, closed (plateau) model with either a C or B foot joint. Nothing too fancy, if you want something more fancy with a bigger budget, make it open hole with plugs, b foot, silver headjoint. (these will be offered in the same brands, just as an intermediate model)

And ALWAYS hold the flute, move your fingers on it, play it if you can before you buy, they will all feel different.

Oh and new or used doesn't matter much at a music store, its about what you want really. I thought new was nice as it was my first one. But if you go for the step up in model, used might make it more possible/affordable.

Answer 2

Depends my friend has a Jupiter and I really like it.

I have a Yamaha thats works really well too.

Answer 3

Hi Pink.

Getting a good flute is the most important thing for you to do... because the quality of your flute will influence just how well you will be able to learn.  Let me give you a little advice here.

The flute that will be appropriate for you as a beginner... is a 'beginner student model flute.  That is one with closed holes and a C foot joint.  It is fine to have a silver plated flute as well.

The brands that you can look for.... either new or used:

Yamaha  -  Gemeinhardt  -  Armstrong  -  Emerson  -  Pearl  -  Selmer

Those are the only brands of flutes that the band director will recommend or approve.  Unfortunately, there are a number of cheapy / junky / no name flutes out on the market right now.   They are very inexpensive but they are simply the worst flutes imaginable.  Every one who buys a flute like this winds up throwing their money away and being sorry they did not get the name brands... also the band director is not very pleased with that choice.   These are the flutes that are made in china or korea or one of the asian countries.

As a flute teacher,  I would not recommend any of those to my students so I will not recommend them to you either.  

You don't need an intermediate flute until you get finished learning the basics ... and besides that,  they are more expensive than the beginner models.   If you buy used,  please be sure to ask if you can have the teacher OK the condition... so that you have a good flute that will work well for you in band class.

Hope I was helpful to you.

Thank you for reading.