I am in the 8th grade band at school and I need a new flute. My current one is just a beginner one and it is not working out for me. I want to buy an open-hole flute, but I want one that will sound brilliant. I do a lot of solos in concerts and I've been playing the flute for 4 years so I'm better than I was in 4th grade. I need a flute that will be good for high school next year and meet my needs. So if anyone has any advice or comments on good flutes, I NEED THEM!! I don't have a budget but the cheaper ones would be best. THANK YOU SO MUCH, I REALLY NEED THIS!!!!!

What kind of budget are you working with? For an intermediate player (what do you play on currently by the way?) you can't go wrong with a yamaha in the 200-400 series in terms of sturdy mechanics, but i find their basic headjoint cut to be a bit blocky and unresponsive. But those can be pricey, that whole company has been on a overpricing binge lately (no offense to any yamaha representatives!)

There is a GREAT flute being put out by the Altus company called the Azumi that sound/feel FANTASTIC, and are available for under 2000 (link: http://www.azumiflutes.com/homepage.html)

The jupiter flutes being put out right now are an absoulute STEAL for their quality (check out the 611 on up), but for a little extra change you could go to their pro line, Dimedici.

There are TONS of options, but for a middle school student (not sure how much longer you're going to do this for/how much money your parents want to invest) there are three great starts! I hope this helps!

And dont sell that beginner flute. If you're in an area with a high school marching band the LAST thing you'll want to do is take it outside!

I meant to say the last thing you'll want to do is take your NEW flute outside. The beginnger flute belongs on a marching band field

spell check...beginner

I want to buy an open-hole flute, but I want one that will sound brilliant.

That is up to the player, not the flute to make it play and sound brilliant.

Rex has some good advice. I would have a look in the new Azumi line.

While I agree with most of that post, Lera, the last sentence is not quite accurate. Sound depends much more on the player than the instrument, but the instrument (specifically the headjoint) is not totally out of the equation. If it were, we'd all be playing on Simbas instead of shelling out the big bucks for professional line flutes. To the OP, any name brand, quality flute in good condition should be fine. It's up to you to test as many options as you can and find something you like. Just be sure to buy a reputable make from a reputable source and you should be alright.

Chris, I think Lera was just trying to copy what I said in her own words.

Interpreting something in one's own words is a step up from copying someone else verbatim, and claiming originality.

There seems to be a problem and repeated behavior of this unfortunetly...

ARMSTRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*hides in cornor from Kara*I now about my Armstrong and it sounds perfect for her....
ARMY-STRONGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
....armstrong.....

I am not even going to comment on that.

Flutes4-ever, how many brands of flutes have you tried besides your Armstrong to be able to recommend it so highly?

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You would probably need to hide in the corner from more people then just me on that statement. lol!

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Seriously though, there is nothing wrong with an Armstrong for the casual player or student. :)

If you're fully aware that saying something is going to intentionally upset someone and not do much in terms of helping the person who originally asked for advice, then why do it?

I swear, the state of forums these days.

I really like the Azumi line as well. I think they are a nice flute especially for the money. I've tried out quite a few and I know that, for me, they worked better than even the 600 series Yamahas.

Well...they wanted a flute that was on[pen hole and for internediate players...
Well the flute I have is just the right thing for them...
I need to get a pic of it up here...
Yes I have had other flutes....I had a gemeinhardt(CRAPPY!!!)
and I had a Selmer(POOPY!!)
And so far my Armstrong has been the best.

Get a Powell. lol!!