At what level would you need one and intermediate flute? What are the main differences between beginning, intermediate, and professional? Should I look for one made entirely of sterling silver, or is a sterling silver headjoint and silver-plated body and foot alright?

Thanks for answering.

At what level would you need an intermediate flute?
There should only be intermediate and professional flutes.

What are the main differences between beginning, intermediate, and professional?
Price and quality of workmanship.

Should I look for one made entirely of sterling silver, or is a sterling silver headjoint and silver-plated body and foot alright?
Depends on how long you intend to keep the flute and if you intend to re-sell it.

I prefer solid silver, here`s why:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sylvangale/

Note how well my Armstrong has aged. That large gash was the result of a dent removal, such a gash cannot happen with a solid instrument.

Now assuming you aren`t willing to spend more than $1000:
Gemeinhardt, Emerson, and Jupiter make decent solid silver flutes with an option of headjoints to choose from. The Gemeinhardt K and S headjoints are known to be good and as well as the Emerson American cut. I don`t much about the Jupters different headcuts. The Gemeinhardt model J headjoint is BAD BAD BAD. You are better off with another brand if you cannot choose another headjoint.

You may also want to make sure your future flute has a standard professional bore. For example the Gemeinhardt 3SB has the same bore size as a professional Muramatsu and can with little to no adjustment use Muramatsu, Powell, Sankyo, and Natsuki headjoints. I know this as this is my flute and I use a headjoint that has a higher list price than my actual flute. The headjoint was worth every penny.

Pictures of my current flute are on the above referenced website too, towards the end.

This is what made me explore different headjoints:
http://theflute.freehosting.net/

Hey Picko, did you get a new headjoint? How cool! I often wondered what a Muramatsu headjoint would sound like on my Powell. The bore is too big on them though, so I could never just try one out without having to buy one because I would have to resize it. Bummer!

I bought a Sankyo NRS-1 and I really like it. Have you had a chance to try one yet?

Whoops, sorry about spelling your name wrong, I just woke up.

It`s been my experience with most anything expensive--instruments, firearms, motorcycles, etc.--that what`s sold as "entry level" is more often just a scam to get you to trade up sooner. I`ve never found it to be practical to go that route if I can afford to jump right into "intermediate". I`m no flute snob; I only know the one I own, but I suspect flute buying to be no different than anything else in that regard.

Thank you all. What is meant by `dark` and `brilliant` sound?

Now, that is a good question. It is a matter of perception. What one person describes as "dark" will be re-described by another person using a totally different adjective.

It might be easier for people to agree on these descriptive terms if there was a single recording of a flute playing a distinctive way, and then that was labeled with ONE adjective. Then everyone would have to agree, and there would be a reference for everyone to learn.

But, alas, perception is different for every person. Take colors for example, what one person describes as "turqoise", another uses "teal", and still another uses "aquamarine", and yet another just says "blue", followed by the next guy that says, "no, it`s greenish blue"......etc.

Maybe this forum can start a project such as this (or refer us to one already in existance). Get a recording, let everyone listen to it, then take a poll (or something) to establish the best descriptive word (ie dark, bright, etc)! Who wants to be in charge of that?! I can`t wait.

I never did get another headjoint since my last Natsuki. I did try out a Sankyo, don`t remember which model though, but I didn`t consider it as I was mainly hunting for a head that would give me the greatest volume. I think it was only the Muramatsu and Natsuki that were the best for volume and I chose the Natsuki.

Now I am seeing why people would prefer Gold lip plates. I`ve always seen them as tacky, but this head joint is very tarnish prone.

Yeah, I think that gold plated ones look tacky because they are so bright yellow, but the 9 or 14 Karat solid gold ones are really nice. I have a 14K solid one on one of my headjoints because I have such an allergy to silver.