Choosing a flute

[mmkrs88]

I'm sure there are far too many of these threads but I am in need of some help.

I would like to buy my daughter a flute. She played flute 'casually' (she got free music lessons at school that weren't too excellent ) for around 18 months. This was a while back, though. She loved the instrument and has been pining after continuing to play for a while now. She's now eighteen and would like to have a flute she can play herself for a while until we find somewhere cheap enough for her to have lessons. She's never going to play professionally. She just loves the instrument and would like to continue to play again.

The problem we're having is that financially, we can't buy her a flute. She is very sensible with her money and has savings but because she is so sensible, she doesn't want to run her savings down too much. There appears to be a pretty big gap between the costs of flutes where they jump from £100 to £250ish. I realize that that's not a lot of money compared to the thousands people spend on flutes but we really don't have that. The flutes in the £250 range will break the bank and she wonders whether, considering the kind of playing she will be going, it will be worth it.

We would like to know what specifically we should be looking for - key, nickel/silver, etc as we don't have anyone to guide us as well as some feedback from a couple we found on Amazon. I'm sure they're not the kind of flutes that most of you play on a regular basis but will they be suitable for a casual player who is playing only for their own amusement?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Odyssey-OFL100- ... roduct_top
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004 ... 0and%20349

We both really appreciate your help. My daughter is anxious to have a flute in her hands again.

[pied_piper]

I suggest reading the FAQ: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5859

The flutes you linked to are not well known brands, so there is no way to know what you are getting. Most cheap flutes like those are made in China. Some Chinese flutes are pretty good, but some are little more than junk and there is no way to know what you are getting unless you buy a known brand from a reputable dealer.

If you buy one of those, it might play just fine. It might play fine for a while and then become unplayable because the keys could be made of a soft metal that bends too easily. If you are willing to risk £100, then go ahead, but do so with the realization that it's somewhat like buying a lottery ticket - you might get a nice instrument or you might get junk.

[mmkrs88]

Thank you, pied_piper, I really appreciate the feedback.

I just finished reading the rest of the way through the FAQ. Among the brands listed for a beginner, will I be able to find one for under £150-£200 or am I going to looking endlessly? Without a good knowledge of flutes, nor anyone we can take with us to purchase one, I don't feel comfortable going into a store that sells used flutes in case we get duped.

I think we would take the chance if it were necessary but for obvious reasons, we'd prefer not to.

[Phineas]

_+1 Pied_Piper beat me to it!


I hear this line "I am only going to play for amusement" all too often. More often, there are only 2 outcomes.

1. The person looses interests, and the flute goes to waste.
2. The person grows more interest, learns to hate it, then the flute goes to waste.

I would never talk anyone out of buying a low priced(CHEAP) musical instrument. Just be aware that a lot of these instruments are disposable.

Phineas

[Thunderlily]

I bought a flute from amazon, and deeply regretted it. I can't remember the brand name, but I was able to return it. It seriously felt like silver plated plastic, the embouchure hole was easy enough to blow into, but just felt really wrong. Anyways, I'd never ever again buy a flute from amazon, specially not a flute that has an unknown brand.
I recommend going on ebay, find a play-condition Yamaha, Armstrong or Jupiter.
I got my flute for about $100 on ebay, used, silver plated, in line, open hole Gemeinhardt. Plays wonderfully.
I wouldn't buy a new Gemeinhardt (10 years or younger), they're made in China now.

This one looks good
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ARMSTRONG-SILVE ... 3ccd2f753c

[jseligmann]

Go to ebay and be on the lookout for a Yamaha 211 flute in good condition in your price range. You cannot go wrong with this flute.

Ebay prices for this flute vary greatly, so be vigilant; especially look for the newly listed ones for good deals... also be prepared to spend a few more pounds to have it checked out by a local technician before playing.

Here's an example:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012NEW-YAMAH ... 828&_uhb=1

[jseligmann]

or this : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-211-Fl ... bc8&_uhb=1