Fluteland.com Flute Message Board

Hi and welcome

I started off with a Buffet flute, and it served me well until about grade 6 when I decided to upgrade.

My daughter wants to learn, and I've just bought her a buffet flute (secondhand), and it blows nicely - great little student flutes.

Let us know how you get on!!

Personally, I'd give it a miss ... there's nothing worse than spending your hard earned money on something that turns out to be junk (I've been bitten with a Saxophone, which in hindsight was too good to be true - ended up being an ornament as it was impossible to play as was junk). You'd be better ...

Only you can make that choice ... When I go away, it's been to stay with relatives so I wasn't too concerned about theft (and when travelling the flute was with me) of course, there's always something like this: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/winds/recorders/yrf-21/ No issues wit...

I also have a B foot flute, but the fingering for middle D is the same as with a C foot. Could you have a leaky pad? http://www.flutetunes.com/fingerings/basic-fingerings.php If it was me, I'd do a few long, slow chromatic scales and try and determine if it's just D, or of there are any other "airy"...

This is quite a common problem and one I've experienced myself. I find make-up makes things worse, as if it's hot, this makes my skin greasier and the flute just slides even more. Some people have had success with postage stamps, or you can buy special gummed paper that is shaped for the lip-plate ....

Firstly congrats on getting back your flute-playing mojo!! Secondhand will always get you more flute for your money ... but it sometimes means you can't try multiple ones at the same time to find "the one". I've never heard the 3 year rule - if it's been well maintained and serviced (and well made t...

I have 3 flutes ... 2 I wouldn't take on your trip (one has a wooden headjoint, and the other is silver and I'd never forgive myself if it got damaged), but I would take the 3rd which is my old student flute, which I couldn't bring myself to get rid of. So, depends on what your flute is? Is it woode...

ps. Now I'm curious ... what do people use to transport flute, music stand and sheet music? (Flute case above got put in cupboard as couldn't carry ALL in it), but now I have a bag that can hold flute (ish - it sits diagonally and pokes out the top), and my music but have to carry stand separately.

Doh - now I'm fancying a flute bag although I really don't *NEED* one LOL BTW, I have this one - which fits flute, piccolo, accessories, stands ... and even after 15 years is still as good as new! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAND-NEW-GIG-FLUTE-PICCOLO-BOX-BAG-CARRY-CASE-GIG-BAG-INSTRUMENT-PROTECTION-...

Do a search for flute repertoire and you'll get loads of hits.

A couple that spring to mind are
Blavet (I've had a go at "La Lumagne" and it's a lovely piece)
Louillet (he's written a few pieces for flute)

Play them both ... spend time in each octave and get a feel for how the flute "speaks" for you - particularly the higher and lower notes. Play through your recent studies/pieces and see how the flute responds for you. More importantly - take your time. There will be other flutes if these don't suit ...

Do you mean B# or Bb? From your description of fingers, I suggest you mean Bb (Bflat), as B# is the same as C? Also, Can you confirm which octave? I'll assume you are talking either 1st, or 2nd octave. There are 2 fingers for Bb ... -The first uses the Thumb Bb key, First finger left hand, and 4th f...

All of those flutes will take you on your journey into flute playing equally well, and should last if you take care of them. I still have a Yamaha 211, but I've now teamed it with a wooden headjoint and it's served me well for years. Split E mechanism is a help for the higher register, and I've alwa...

This is just technique ... The more focused your air stream is, the fuller richer sound you will get. If your airstream is not focused, then the flute will sound thin and airy as less air is actually getting into the headjoint. Put the headjoint down, raise a palm in front of your face and blow on i...

Have you played the gemeinhardt?

As there is no much variation between different headjoints, you may find a silver-plate headjoint with a certain cut/alloy suit you more than a different all-silver headjoint.