Where can I buy basic accessories for my flute?

Question

Are there any websites online that sell basic accessories like QUALITY cleaning rods, key pad papers, polishing cloths, etc, for the flute?

I especially like the rosewood cleaning rod from Muramatsu (http://muramatsuamerica.com/Accessories.html) but at $25 it's an expensive cleaning rod; same with the $14 wiping cloth. Is there a reliable place that sells high-quality instrumental cleaning rods, cloths, etc, other than wwbw.com?

I already have the metronome-tuner from Korg, just so you know... :) The cleaning rod and cloth mentioned above are from Muramatsu, so I'm sure they're pretty reliable, though like you said the prices are pretty high. I probably won't get those.

I'll keep in mind what everyone's said so far.

fluteaccessories.com isn't real.

Answer 1

Well.... a wooden rod is much less likely to scratch the inside of your flute than will a metal one so there is some difference between the two. But then, plastic is also less likely to scratch your instrument. Just using cleaning rods as one example of differences for price. I don't use a rod at all - I use a feather swab intended for oboes and then cotton on a light weight on the body. ☺

pad papers: I use perm papers from the beauty supply store. They come in a big box and are cheap. They work wonderfully.

cleaning cloths: any music store but make sure it's for the type instrument you have. cleaning silver is different than cleaning silver plate. never use things like brasso, silvo, tarnex, etc... get cloths made by an instrument maker.

cases and such: http://www.fluteworld.com (and music) -- prices are reasonable and they stand by their stuff.

instruments and flute repairs: http://www.flutesmith.com -- they do excellent work on my instruments and they have a great selection of instruments on hand.

If you live in a really big city with a great music store then you needn't go online but if your local music store is going to order special for you - that's no different than you ordering online and ordering online will often give you more options.

Answer 2

I wouldn't go for anything 'Flute' on line 1) As stated above you don't know what is compatible for your flute esp pads and stuff like that to do with repair leave that to the experts! 2) A lot of these sites sell you things that seem like they help but they don't. There is no different between a $25 cleaning rod and $2 rod! There are just trying to take your money. Don't get sucked in! A $14 wiping cloth is just as good as an old clean handkerchief! A lot of these products can actually harm your Flute!

If you really want to help your flute playing and are in the mood to shop buy a combined metronome and tuner. These are essential for any musician! ? You have no idea how many Flute students I have that are having trouble with time or rhythm because they don't practise their pieces with a metronome! They end up learning the wrong rhythms and notes! It takes AGES to correct! The tuner is helpful for Flute so that you can get used to adjusting your air etc to tune!

Remember though no amount of products can substitute for practise! You can have all the 'mod cons' and still be a bad musician!

Answer 3

my advice is to NOT get it online since you don't really know how compatible it is with your flute (yes, even accessories kind of matter)
the person who would know the most about what is best for YOUR flute would probably be your flute person, or your teacher; who knows, you might even get a discount!

hope this helped :)

p.s. DON'T use the cheap cotton things that you can get for like 5 bucks...it scratches both the inside and outside of your flute, which is not good...

Answer 4

I give digital cameras as gifts for people and I always give them a memory card and rechargeable batteries with charger. Digital cameras suck up battery life, and it can be really expensive to buy batteries all the time. I use to work somewhere where digital cameras were sold. Customers always buy enough batteries for the gift reviecer. About half of the time they buy a case to carry to go with it However, most people don't buy memory cards for thier loved ones. Since most digital cameras come with a small memory card, they don;t get it. I would get one.

Answer 5

fluteaccessories.com