I went out and test played some used flutes today and here is what worked best for me.

My embrasure is 25 years rusty, but I got the most beautiful warm tone out of a solid silver open hole gemeindhrdt flute.

They had a student yamaha flute that came in first out of all the student models. They had armstrong, selmer and gemeindhrdt.

I was not impressed with the open hole pearl. I believe it was a low end flute and was not silver.

I couldn't belive that I didn't have a problem with the open holes. I haven't played an open hole flute in ages.

I guess that I want something with a silver head for sure.

They didn't have any other brands at the store to try.

Just out of curiosity, why are you set on a silver head? A good plated head will play much better than a poorly made silver head.

Gemeinhardt flutes generally have a head that is very easy to produce a sound on (which is probably why you liked it best), but they tend to be limited in other respects, such as dynamics and tonal options. There's nothing wrong with a Gemeinhardt (assuming it's a relatively new model...Some of the older flutes were of pretty poor quality), but do take into consideration that your preference for it may be because they're made to be easy to play. When you get more advanced you may wish you had gone with something that may have taken a little time to adjust to, but in the end had more musical options.

Also, that particular store had a pretty small selection from the sound of it, so definitely try out some other makes and models to see what you think of them.

Thanks, I will keep looking. The only flutes that they had with silver heads were the gemeindharts. The gemeindhardts with the plated heads didn't sound as good to me. Maybe there was someting wrong. One of the flutes I tried I suspected that one of the keys was not closing when I tried to play an F.

Leaks would definitely be likely to affect sound, and in doing so, they'll keep you from getting an accurate idea of how the flute plays. You may have to find another shop that has flutes in better shape in order to get a better idea of what you like.

I went to a music store and tried some new flutes. They only had Armstrong, Gameindhardt and Yahama.

The Yahama kicked butt. My husband went with me and he even said that it sounded the best and he is not a musician.

They were all higher end flutes. I didn't want to spend that kind on money on a flute if I am not sure if I will stick with it for a while.

I ended up getting a really good used Armstrong 103 on EBay of all places for cheap. It is in good shape and seems to be adjusted well. I can get all the notes from low C up to 4th octive C. The flute has a low B foot. I can't get the low B and I don't know if it is because that 1 key is out of adjustment. I close the low B to get the 4th octive C so maybe it is just my finger position on the three keys.

Any ideas?

I could sure use the help.

Where would you guys recommend getting music?

The 103 is an open hole flute, if I'm not mistaken, and if you don't have plugs in, odds are that in the stretch to get to the Low B roller, you're accidentally moving one (or more) of your fingers off the hole. This causes a leak, just as if the pad weren't sealing right, and can certainly affect your ability to produce a reliable Low B, C, or C#. Try plugging the holes (if possible), or play a low C, and let your husband press on the Low B roller (or the key itself). If you can get a B out that way, odds are you're uncovering a hole somewhere along the line. If it still won't come out, you could very well have some leaks, in which case a visit to a tech would be a good idea.

As for music, if your local music store doesn't have anything suitable for you, then I'd recommend Fluteworld. They have a huge stock of music to choose from. The only danger is that you can't see the music for yourself, so judging whether a piece is at an appropriate level can be challenging.

Thanks for the help.

I just started playing it today and I played scales for 30 minutes and worked on tone and finger position. I was able to get the low B finally. I need to cut all of my long fingernails. I believe that they are getting in the way. *sigh*

I can't believe that I can still sight read. I found some of my old flute music. I started with the elementary studies and I finished the book.

I think that I need to find a teacher in the area who can help me with tone and technique. I am probably doing myself a disservice by trying to learn again on my own.

Finding a teacher would be an excellent idea. I definitely encourage you to do so.

learning on you own is a good start, but i would recommend finding a teacher go to a music shop and they should have a list of the teachers in the area.

it sounds like you got a realy good flute though, my flute was off ebay aswell and is serving me well (just now i sound better then the girl after me who has a yamaha and we've been playing about the same length of time) ebay is a quite good place to get a flute to start out with even if most people don't recommend it

Ebay is not a good place to get a beginner a flute unless you already know what you're looking at. If you don't know what you're looking at, you can easily be taken. Try looking at the flute listings that aren't for junkers. Now colored flutes, no nameless instruments, etc....The number of instruments that you're looking at is significantly lower than the total number of flute listings. Many beginners who start on low quality instruments get frustrated and eventually quit simply because they can't play like they should be able to, and blame themselves rather than the flute.

Also, teaching yourself isn't the best way to start at all. If you're set on teaching yourself, at the very beginning you should have a teacher to be sure you don't form any potentially harmful bad habits, and then when you've got the basics down, you can move away from lessons. You seem to be recommending the opposite.

Leigh, I'm sorry, but you have been playing for what? 3 months now? It is great that you want to help, but just about every one of your posts give incorrect information. You seem to think that you know everything about flutes already which is clearly not the case. Everyone is free to contribute on this forum, but please just be jarful of what advice you are throwing out there.

Thanks for all of your help.

I bought an Armstrong 103 off of ebay. Don't worry, I know all about cheap flutes. I used to play quite well when I was a teen. The only thing that I can find wrong with it is that the foot is slightly out of adjustment.

I am taking the flute up again. I am not teaching myself from the beginning. I am not quite up to Carnaval of Venice yet so I am looking for a teacher to challenge me and make sure that I don't develop any bad habits. I can still play circles around the 8th grader down the street. (Quite shocked about that one. I thought that I wouldn't even be able to make a noise.)

I need to work on the coordiation of toungueing and fingering. I am doing quite well with sight reading. I can't believe that I can actually remember all the fingerings for the notes.

I can still flutter tongue and vibrato. I can't double toungue worth a flip.

I need to get the tone, tounge and fingers all going together.
Oh and the pitch too. I can tell that I am a little sharp in the third octive.

I don't have the time to ever get good enough to play with a group and I don't have the free time to join a group, so this will probably be the best flute I own. I can't see purchasing a Haynes or other nice handmade brand just to sit at home and goof off.

Another good reason to find a teacher is to have someone to play with every once in a while. I miss playing duets with my friend in highschool. It is fun to play with other people. I hate playing by myself all the time.

By the way,

Thanks Kara!

It sounds like you are enjoying your rediscovery. Have fun.

I am enjoying myself immensely. I needed a good inexpensive hobby for the few days that I have off.

THank you!!