There has been a lot of discussion on the forum about "buying a new flute --- just which one to buy".

HOWEVER, I didn't see the following posted on previous forums, so thought I would bring it up.

The choice of "just which flute to buy is very personal". I can't think of any instrument that is more "personal" than the flute.

As has been stated so many times: you simply MUST try out different flutes, side-by-side. Not only different Makes -- but models within "that" make.

You are looking for that flute which is most comfortable to you, which has the best projection, tonal sonority -- and, simply, that which sounds best to you and is best suited to your style of playing.

ONE ISSUE that appears NOT to have been addressed, is that in selecting a "NEW" flute to purchase (and, here, I'm dismissing "used" flutes and flutes in need of repair --- leaks, etc) ---- is the LOW C.

In having tested numerous flutes, I totally disregard Make and/or Model.

The very FIRST test is: How well does the Low C respond? This is because all keys have to be covered with the Low C.

IF it is my finding that the low C is difficult, or challenging to "reach, find, play, etc" --- then the keys above it (d, e, f, etc) are going to be suspect.

It's true that IF you have the time and luxury of "searching" for the low C --- as in whole notes, etc., then, yes, you probably can "hit" low C.

But what happens when you NOW attempt to play an accomplished piece of flute literature (Such as "Suite de Trois Merceau") --- where you do NOT have the luxury of "hunting" for and projecting the Low C ??

In short, the Low C should "jump out" (projection) and never be a problem, even when playing rapid tempo, articulate passages. It's one thing to "hunt and peck" with whole notes to "find" the low C --- quite another, when you are playing 64th notes -- and the Low C is "missing".

So, when it comes time to try out your new flute --- hit the Low C FIRST --- pianissimo to forte, and everything in between. If you get response with facility, then this is important (IMO).

Obviously, there are other "tests" to be met in your selection, but the "Low C test" should be considered important.

If you don't think so, then try playing the (1st movement) of the Suite de Trois Merceau which calls for rapid (and responsive) articulation of the low C. IF you can't "hit it", then you might have pause for thought in buying THAT flute.

From Chicago, with love: Jean

It's important that a flute respond well in the bottom octave, and that it have a wide range of dynamic possibilities, but I don't agree that this should be the first test, or that you should throw a flute out of the running just because it doesn't pass this test with flying colors. The reason being that if you're testing a flute, it's new to you...You don't know how to get the best out of it yet. Depending on your level and what type of flute you are coming from, you may have weaknesses that would make a flute that would be fantastic for you a month down the road seem mediocre. It make take some time to figure out how to play a new flute well. You need to know if you'll be able to pop low C's reliably after spending some time with the flute (thus trial periods), but it does not necessarily have to do everything to the highest standard right away. When selecting an instrument, definitely keep this in mind, but don't let it be the deciding factor if you find a flute you love otherwise, but doesn't immediately have a great Low C.

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In short, give the Low C a try when you're playtesting, but don't immediately throw a flute out if it doesn't have a perfect C. If it holds up to the rest of your testing, take it home and give it a fair shot over the course of the trial period, and if you notice some improvement, then you might consider buying it if you don't find anything you like better....If you notice no improvement, then you might consider passing that particular flute up and continuing the search.

You can't "Test" the flute this way. This is probably more indicative of the padding and/or setup and not the design playability of the instrument itself.

While everything else you said is true, judging a flute's performance on a low C leaves too many other variables as the possible cause for judgment.

You may be throwing out a gem of a flute because of something as simply as a poorly regulated Low C# to C adjustment (which is a common adjustment). That's a setup/padding issue.

Joe B

Sorry to all who replied --- I was simply stating MY personal experience.

Again, if I were to pick up a flute in a "blind" test, and the low C was poor --- I would have to be suspect of any other notes above it, since the low C covers all of the pads.

This is ONLY my opinion. It is not meant to suggest that anyone who responded to this is wrong, in any way.

As Micron once said: "Flute players don't know anything about flute construction --- they only know how to play". Sorry that it might have been taken out of context, but, in the end, he's right.

Therefore, since he's right, flute PLAYERS are the arbiters in just which flute plays well --- or not. Not those who construct flutes and have flutes to sell --- as in marketing.

I am NOT disagreeing with any other replies ---- I'm simply relating personal experience. NOTHING other than that.

I am not conversant in "atoms"; "physics"; nor the absolute construction of flutes. And I would NEVER present myself as being as knowledgeable as any other on the forum.

I'm only relating a personal experience in having tested many different makes and models of flutes over many years.

It has ALWAYS been my finding that if a flute --- with ALL keys covered, as in C1 does not respond --- it is common sense that all other keys above it are suspect.

Does this mean that you disregard a flute just because the C1 doesn't jump out? No -- and I'm not saying that. I'm only relating a personal experience.

This is how I chose MY flutes, and flutes for others. I haven't been wrong yet --- which does NOT, by the same token, mean that I'm right.

IF there is something that I've missed --- I'd like to hear responsible, friendly rebuttals.

I never said that "I'm right". I'm only relating my personal experience --- and the experiences of those who followed this theory. And, it's nothing more than that: a theory, based upon personal experience.

Jim

Don't feed the troll