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Buying a beginner flute

Hi. I'm just about to start flute lessons and need to buy an instrument. There are so many classifications that I'm rather confused. I'd be grateful for some pointers on what flute I should buy - type, brand, model etc. I do not have a big budget, so I'd like to get whatever is least expensive that I can start with. Thanks very much in advance!

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Permalink Reply by Krysten Williams on February 13, 2010 at 5:03pm: I always thought that you use an closed hole flute first since you dont know you notes yet and don't usually know where to put your fingers. Emerson is a good brand you can clean them well. AND ALWAYS KEEP YOUR NECK STRAIGHT! And if you do get an open hole use corks they can come in different colors but it is a good idea to get the clear ones. Plus if you get an open hole flute if you wish to play in high school and college bands they will make you use open hole flutes instead of closed flutes.

Hope this helped!! I've played flute since middle school and I have a open hole and I've had it ever since and works well!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Santiago on June 29, 2010 at 6:59pm: Hi, I know that it is a bit late to respond to this, but I feel it is prudent to address this. That is not entirely true, in regards to an open-holed flute being required for High Schools. At least, that does not seem to be the case right now for New York Public High Schools, based on my experiences.

Open-holed flutes are more expensive, and based on the fact that many students are put into band class for the sake of credits in the arts, it would be unreasonable to ask students to deduct $200 out of a budget that they or their parents might not even have for a class that may not even interest them in the long run. The High Schools I have been to actually provide the flutes, being student models (closed-hole, nickel-plated with a C foot joint) however.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LOUIS BRADFORT PEARSON on March 23, 2010 at 8:10pm: Well you can rent from a imstrumental place that would porbliy be like $164 once you get it then it might be 17.00 $ evry mont but that what i do . Or you can buy one like my brother did for 300 $ he got a armstrog i think that is the best brand but that is my oppin . But one thing to do is not buy one from ebay because there might be something wrong with the flute but they dont tell you ... SO WISH YOU GOOD LUCK TO GET ONE !!!!!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol Petry on March 30, 2010 at 5:49am: I bought one from ebay back in 2006 and have not had the first trouble with it!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ronald Miller on June 30, 2010 at 7:55am: On the flute:

The head joint hole is designed slightly different on a 'student' or starter flute - to make it easier to produce a tone. As the embrochure develops, the advanced student has greater control and a "step-up" intermediate or a professional head joint has a blow-hole that gives a bit more vibrancy (but requires that extra breath and wind stream control of the advanced student).

How serious are you going to get on the flute? Most music stores have a variety of rental agreements ... yeah, it is more expensive if you go all the way through, but this would give you a chance to try it for a year and then cut your losses if: 1. you don't follow through and keep playing OR 2. you do practice seriously, and as an adult you would be ready for a better instrument (and would benefit from it) after a year. you then cancel the agreement and buy the 'step-up' instrument, which is suitable for most amateurs.

BY THE WAY - there is a danger of getting a used flute that is slightly out of repair and not knowing it. I started this way. The flute would play all the notes, but it took finger pressure and more effort than it should. I did not realize it. Friends showed me how to play - and they thought the flute was fine. After a few months I started lessons (I was already taking clarinet lessons) on the flute and the teacher tried my instrument. He said it wasn't worth repairing. I didn't believe him, but when I tried a new flute at the store, suddenly I could actually hit most of the notes easily. Just be careful with a used flute - especially if it is not from a store or reputable source. Friends will not try to 'cheat' you in this way, but unless they play very well, they just won't know the difference and you will have a higher hurdle to learning to play.; ▶ Reply to This