Best
Flute for
Students
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Overall: Perfect for beginners of any age
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Best Feature: option of curved or straight headjoint
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best
Flute for Intermediate Players
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Overall: Perfect for intermediate level players
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Best Feature: Comes with plugs for tone holes, so you can gradually adjust to open holes
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Flute for Professional Players
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Overall: Perfect for the professional player in an orchestra or multi-instrumentalist
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Best Feature: Silver headjoint and lip plate
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TedScore™: 9/10
How much does a flute cost? It all hinges on the type you’re after. Whether it’s a beginner’s model or a professional one, choices abound. **Beginner flutes** can start as low as £100, while **professional models** might set you back over £1,000. My first flute, a simple silver-plated one, only cost £150. Fun fact: gold flutes can cost as much as a brand new car! This wide range means there’s something for every budget. So, let’s help narrow down the options to find the perfect flute for you.
What are Flutes?
Flutes are essentially metal recorders played sideways, with the sound made by blowing across the instrument!
A brief History of Flutes
Flutes have been around for thousands of years in various kinds! The earliest example dates back to the Palaeolithic era.
The first modern-style flutes appeared in the sixteenth century, and they have since continued to develop in mechanisms, materials, curved headjoints, plastic flutes and simplified keywork on some flute models.
Factors that Determine the Price of a Flute
Material
Flutes are made from several different materials including plastic, nickel, silver, gold and wood. Often this is a combination, as the flute’s body, headjoint and lip plate could all be made from different materials. This will affect the overall flute cost.
Condition
New flutes can cost a lot at all levels!
One way to keep the flute cost down without sacrificing the quality is to look for a second-hand instrument. Many specialists offer these, and will have an expert check them over first.
Brand
As with all musical instruments it is helpful to look for a well established brand rather than a budget brand, and if possible one which specialises in woodwind musical instruments. They’re usually higher quality, will hold their value more, and will be a joy to play.
Features & Accessories
As you progress you might consider switching to open holes or a low B foot.
Beginners may benefit from bundles which include a music stand, flute stand or other accessories.
After Sales Service
Your new flute will require servicing from time to time, even with the best care. Some companies offer a free service within the first year. It’s a good idea to take advantage of this if you can!
The Cost of a Good Flute
The average cost of a flute can range anywhere from £/$100 to £/$10,000 depending on the quality, brand, and material.
Entry-level student flutes are typically priced between £/$200 to £/$1,000, while professional-grade flutes can be considerably more expensive. Prices may vary based on the specific retailer and location.
Let’s take a more detailed look at these below.
Student Flutes
Children may need to start with a curved headjoint or smaller flute designed for small hands. Some student flutes, or as they’re sometimes called – beginner flutes, come with both curved and straight headjoints – this makes it easy to switch when the player is big enough, but does cost a little more.
DESIGNED FOR: beginner flutes of any age
FEATURES: option of curved or straight headjoint
OTHER INFO: comes with a maintenance kit
Yamaha YFL212 Student Flute
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- This Yamaha flutes has durable nickel silver body
- Well-known manufacturer
- Warm sound
- All Yamaha flutes come with markings to aid alignment
- More expensive flutes than other beginner flutes
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: young beginners
FEATURES: modified mechanism to make keys easier to reach
OTHER INFO: smaller and lighter than a full-size concert flute, without losing the sound quality
Roy Benson FL102 Flute for Children
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- One-piece body
- A good student flute that is easy to hold
- Durable nickel silver body
- Curved head
- Slightly reduced range
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Intermediate Flutes
When you are ready to upgrade your flute, one thing to look out for is the proportion of solid silver. A higher percentage will be beneficial in terms of tone.
A flute with open holes will also aid your technique development.
DESIGNED FOR: intermediate level flute players
FEATURES: open holes, sterling silver head, optional B foot
OTHER INFO: comes with plugs for tone holes, so you can gradually adjust to open tone holes
Pearl 665RE Quantz Flute
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- One of the best woodwind flute brands
- Warm and rich sound
- Durable keywork
- Offset G/split E mechanism
- Might need upgrading in the future
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: students above Grade 6 level
FEATURES: open holes, option for B foot
OTHER INFO: two layers of silver plating gives durability
Trevor James Chanson Flute
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Handmade embouchure hole
- Secure intonation
- Robust mechanism
- Less concentration of solid silver than in other intermediate level flutes
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Professional Flutes
Advanced players might consider professional flutes with a low B footjoint. This increases the lower range of the instrument by a semitone, which can be useful if you’re a flutist playing flute at professional level.
Again, increasing the percentage of solid silver will be a rewarding experience at this stage.
DESIGNED FOR: professional flutes musicians
FEATURES: solid silver and gold
OTHER INFO: Option of C or B foot
Pearl 795RE-VGR Elegante Vigore Flute
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Brilliant and rich sound
- Excellent workmanship
- Flexible articulation
- Secure tuning
- Solid silver equals higher cost than other flute models!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: the professional player in an orchestra or multi-instrumentalist
FEATURES: solid silver headjoint and lip plate
OTHER INFO: Option of C or B foot
Yamaha YFL677H Professional Handmade Flute
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Powerful sound
- Quick response
- Trustworthy Yamaha quality
- Slightly more resistant due to wall thickness
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
How Much Does A Flute Cost
Summary
So, how much is a flute? There is a huge range of answers to this question!
The flute price typically determined by factors such as brand, material, and craftsmanship.
Work out what you want from your new flute, and then look for musical instruments within the budget you can afford. All flutists have to start somewhere, and this list of musical instruments is a great place.
You might find our article on the Best Flute Brands useful, or if you’re a beginner looking for quality flutes at reasonable prices, then our Flute For Beginners article could be of use.
Now get blowing!
Interesting article, Lucy. However, don’t you think the skill level of the player is a more significant factor in the quality of music produced than the flute’s price? I’ve heard amateurs on expensive flutes who sound terrible and pros on basic models who sound amazing.
That’s a fair point, ClarinetKid92. I suppose it’s a mix of skill, practice, and having a good instrument that really makes the difference.
ClarinetKid92, you’ve nailed it. A blend of player skill and the right instrument harmonizes into what we appreciate as beautiful music.
So if I buy a pro flute, does it mean I’ll finally stop sounding like a dying duck? Asking for a friend. lol
Magical transformation guaranteed, JazzHandz! But really, practice makes perfect.
Trying to decide if it’s worth investing in an intermediate flute for my kid or just stick with a student model. They’ve been playing for a year now. Any advice?
hey, was wonderin what makes a student flute diff from a pro one? got confused reading all this. thnx
Hi TaraQ, the main differences lie in material, craftsmanship, and features such as the split E mechanism and open holes that offer better sound control in pro flutes.