Flute.. What features are recommended? Needed?

Question

Please, HELP!

My 4th grade daughter is joining the school band. The school doesn't provide the instrument so we have to purchase one... ASAP since band starts next week!

Looking on the net, I'm reading things that I have NO CLUE as to what I should get:

1. Plated vs Non-Plated & IF plated, silver vs nickel

2. Open Hole vs Closed Hole

3. Key of C? (What does that mean? Are there flutes that AREN'T "Key of C"?

4. Offset G Keys

5. Split E Mechanism

Any others that I may be missing?

What brands are good... that are INEXPENSIVE? Recommendations? My daughter currently takes piano lessons & I don't want to buy her an expensive flute just in case she decides that she doesn't like flute at all.

Brands that I found online are Armstrong, Artley, Cecilio, Glen Edward, Oxford, Rosetti, Simba and Yamaha.

Any brands that I should stay away from?

By the way, the music teacher says my daughter has long fingers for playing the flute.

Thank you very much!

Answer 1

1. Plated vs Non-Plated & IF plated, silver vs nickel

Plated - nickel preferred. Silver is just too expensive for a student and doesn't withstand wear.

2. Open Hole vs Closed Hole

Closed -- open holes can be plugged but for a 4th grade student there's just no need to have the open holes and open hole (French) flutes usually cost more.

3. Key of C? (What does that mean? Are there flutes that AREN'T "Key of C"?

There are flutes in Eb (soprano) D (Irish and antique) C (concert flute) Bb (flute d'amour) G (alto) and low C (bass). The concert flute we are all most familiar with is often called the "flute in C" and is what you want.

4. Offset G Keys

Somewhat easier for many younger players to manage. I always preferred mine inline. It's a personal preference issue. Either way won't matter much at this level. Especially with a closed hole flute.

5. Split E Mechanism

Makes playing the high E easier. I require it. Most student flutes won't have it as an option. That option alone on my flute cost more than you will probably pay for her whole flute.

Missing: Curved headjoint. Assuming she's an average sized 4th grader, a curved head might be an advantage to her.

Brands to stay away from: Anything at a department store. Good starters: Jupiter, Yamaha and Gemeinhardt

Good price for her age: Gemeinhardt 2SP (sub the headjoint for the CH) $350 new or Jupiter 313S $479

For reference, expensive in flutes is a relative term. My Altus 1307RBOED is $7,475 and that's not "expensive" to some of my peers playing on $12-15,000 instruments. Checkout a Burkart for example for what is "expensive" ☺

Answer 2

For a first year student, you'll want a nickel plated (silver would be too expensive), closed hole (open is for more advanced players), offset G (this makes playing easier for little hands). B-foot or C-foot doesn't much matter for 4th grade: they won't be playing anything below the C anyway. And yes, ALL flutes (at the student level anyway) are in the key of C, but some have keys to extend the low range down to a B, rather than the standard low range of C (this doesn't change the key of the instrument; it just adds one more note at the bottom of the range). I don't think the split E mechanism will matter at your daughter's level either.

You should look for a relatively inexpensive instrument (I got mine on ebay for $75). After your daughter has had her first year of playing, you and can then decide if she will continue or not and consider upgrading to a better instrument then.

As an alternative, most local music stores have a rental program. The store near me has a program where you can rent an instrument for 6 months or more, and the you'll get 1/2 off the purchase of that or any other brand of the same instrument (so, I rented a clarinet for 6 months, then bought a $700 instrument for $350). You might want to consider this option rather than purchasing outright.

Answer 3

ok well first off don't buy the cheapest flute you can that was made in China like my mom did for me for my first beginner flute. Some good brands that my friends have and that I have personally tried are Yamaha and Jupiter. Be sure that on a beginner flute it's plateau (closed hole), offset g key, silver plated only, c foot joint, and something I wish I had when I was a beginner that is useful is a "split e key". good luck, flutes are awesome. =]

Answer 4

Please check this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?doc_id=97907

might look like a sales page.. but do read the info given over there.. :) Hope it helps

ATB for your daughter
Shravan