How To Choose A Flute
Congratulations! You are about to buy your first Flute...
Figuring out which Flute to buy can be exciting, yet somewhat overwhelming. As a segment of our ‘Beginner’s Guide To Learning The Flute’ series, this part will assist you in embarking on your journey in the right way.
Things you should know before buying your first Flute
- Decide your budget? Flutes can be made from a wide range of materials from affordable silver plated and plastic student models to 14k solid gold handmade flutes designed for professional players like James Galway.
- Be wary of very cheap budget flutes! Although they look like a good deal they will often end up costing more in repairs in the long term and are not a good investment.
- How tall are you and how long are your arms? For smaller players, a curved head joint is recommended so little players can reach all the keys.
What should my flute be made out of?
silver plated
Plastic
precious metal
Wood
silver plated
Most beginner flutes are silver plated which offer good sound quality at an affordable price.
Plastic
There are also some plastic flutes on the market. These can be a good option for smaller players as they are lighter and more sturdy. However, you do sacrifice some sound quality.
precious metal
Flutes made of precious metal offer the best sound quality but are also the most expensive. Flutes can be made out of solid silver, gold, platinum and even newer metals such as Palladium. Each of these metals has a different look as well as a different sound.
Wood
Some flute players prefer to buy a wooden flute. These can offer a softer and more mellow sound and can also look beautiful. If you are interested in baroque or folk music then this might be the material for you.
A good compromise for a mid-range flute is to buy a solid silver head joint with a silver-plated body. You can also change the sound of your flute with a wooden head joint. You will be amazed how much changing a head joint on a flute can affect the sound, it is also a great option if you want an upgrade but don’t want to replace your whole flute.
About the Author
Chloë Vincent
Chloë is a graduate of the Guildhall School and concert highlights include the BRIT awards with Billie Eilish, The Who at Wembley Stadium and performing for the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Chloë regularly records at studios such as Abbey Road, working for artists such as Kanye West, Madonna and Michael Kiwanuka as well as film sessions. Orchestral work covers tours of China and Japan and performing at the Musikverein in Vienna. Chloë lives in Oxfordshire with her trumpeter husband and enjoys cooking and playing board games in her spare time.
Twitter - @chloeflute
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Twitter - @chloeflute
Keys, Mechanisms and Foot Joints? What does all this mean?
- Beginner flutes usually come with a C foot joint, this is all you need until you have been playing for quite a while. A B foot joint gives you an extra low note which is a lovely addition for more advanced players.
- A split E mechanism is a must as this makes some notes of the flute much easier to play.
- Closed or Open Holes? For a beginner, closed hole flutes are recommended because they are much easier to play on.
Smaller Players And Curved Headjoints
Smaller players can find it difficult to reach all the keys on a standard flute but don’t worry as most brands also offer a curved flute option. Some flutes come with a straight and curved head joint which means the flute can grow with the student.
How To Choose A Flute - Summary
Flutes hold their value pretty well so it is possible to sell on your current instrument if you want to upgrade after a few years.
Booking your flute in for a service with a woodwind repairer every 18 months will keep your flute in peak working order.
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