A Guide to Buying a Flute for Teachers, Students, and Parents

A Guide to Buying a Flute for Teachers, Students, and Parents
Copyright Altus Flutes Reprinted with permission

There are a lot of wonderful flutes available today. Because there are so many, choosing a flute can feel very confusing. Just remember that buying a flute is a process and it needn’t be daunting if you follow these simple steps. So take your time, enjoy the process, and use this organized method. By starting your search with an Altus, you will be assured that you are  starting your search by experiencing superior quality, craftsmanship and a model to suit every budget.

Steps to Choosing a Flute

1. Ask yourself why you want a new flute?

• Are you replacing your student model with something more refined?  If you answer yes, then ask yourself for what purpose are you replacing the flute.
• Do you want to just have it last through high school?
• Are you younger, and wanting a flute to bridge to your high school years, or are you planning to play throughout your life?

3. Determine your budget or price point.
   
4. Find the finest quality flute for your purpose and your price point. Just because a flute is made of silver it does not mean it is a quality instrument. Look instead for the amount and quality of hand work used to make the flute. Generally, the more hand-work, the better the quality.  This will make more difference in a flute’s performance and YOUR performance on it than any amount of precious metal will.
5. Decide on whether you want a new or used flute

• Used flutes can be less but can be expensive to get into like new condition.
• EBay and internet sales can be cheap but dangerous.  Generally you get what you pay for.  Purchase on EBay or internet at your own risk and with the guidance of your teacher only. Developing a relationship with a dealership is a good thing.  There is recourse for faulty merchandise and help when emergency repair is necessary.
• In general, an overhaul on a high quality flute costs approximately $800 or more.

5. Decide what options on the flute are important to you. Trends in the USA indicate that flutists most often purchase a B foot, open-holed flute with an offset G key. If you are used to an in-line G, or if your teacher recommends an in-line G, then purchase what your teacher recommends. If there is no teacher preference, purchase what feels most comfortable in your hand. Other options generally include:

• C# trill
• D# roller
• Heavy wall thickness
• Drawn or soldered tone holes
• French or Y arm keys
• High E facilitator (doughnut)
• Silver or silver-plated
• Hand-made, hand-finished, or assembly-line made

You can learn more about these and other options in the companion pamphlet, “Anatomy of a Flute”

• Choose the flutes to test play.  Ideally, you will have a dealer you are working with who can show you several models of flutes in your price range.  Flute Fairs are also excellent venues to test flutes and to get to know several dealers.
• Play several different models and brands of flutes.
• Pick 2 or 3 that are of a similar price range, that feel good in your hands, and that feel comfortable to make a sound on.

6. Test-play the flutes. Use the same process for each flute.

• Number the flute 1, 2, or 3.
• Have your teacher or parents or a friend act as a second pair of ears. Remember that what you hear playing the flute may not be what a person 10 or more feet away will hear.
• Do not let your second ears know which brand flutes you are playing, only its number.

7. Choose playing excerpts of not more than 4 measures in length. The brain cannot remember much more than this to compare instruments.  Choose excerpts that will each demonstrate the following:

• Articulation –  both double and single tonguing, staccato and legato attacks
• Low register
• Middle register
• High register
• Extreme high register
• Volume –  both maximum softness and loudness
• Have your audience rate each of these elements on each flute.

8. Test intonation.

• Use a tuner and tune your low A.
• Use a tuner and play harmonics to see how well the upper register corresponds to the harmonics.

9. Push your limits. You want your new flute to be able to allow you to do things you cannot do on your present flute.  Therefore, don’t settle for playing the same.  Test your extremes.  See if you can play louder and softer, faster and lighter, smoother and easier than your current flute.

11. From these 2 or 3 flutes, choose the one that comes out the winner for your second pair of ears. If you are not completely convinced, then try this winning flute against another brand and go through the process again.
12. Remember to always keep your process the same. Stand in the same spot, face the same direction, keep your second ears in the same place in the room, play the excerpts in the same order etc.
13. If you can afford to go to the next price level of flute, then compare your lower priced flute with the higher priced flute in the same way. Make sure the differences you hear and feel justify the cost for your purchasing purposes.