I am convinced that my old flute teacher had a B flat flute in his cuboard that he pulled out on special occasions (i stopped having lessons ages ago and am undergoing a minor revival) I mean a flute in the key of B flat like a trumpet or clarinet (sorry - Its been a while and I'm uneasy on the jargon now)

Now, a few mins internet searching have revealed that these appear to be pretty rare - to the point where I'm wondering if they actually exist and i ve been imagining this for years

I ve found one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Odyssey-B-flat-Student-FLUTE-with-accessories-NEW_W0QQitemZ120280753235QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Woodwind_Instruments?hash=item120280753235&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (that was a long address!!!)

I'm only looking for a cheapy one to improvise and mess around with so that looked OK!

Am I making all of this up?

Thanks
DaveK

i know what you mean, the look realy old fashioned, i nearly bought one once, they are like piccolos, but not.

I'd seriously doubt that this Odyssey™ Debut Series flute IS in Bb.
http://www.nathanrosemusic.co.uk/odyssey-debut-flute-outfit-126-p.asp

More than likely, that heading was a typo.

OF course there also some other paths for improvising/fooling around such as the Aulos Baroque Traverso, recorders, tin whistles, fifes and Irish Flutes. Most of these instruments can come in some different keys as well as the basic ~440 sizes.

I see typos all the time or just ignorance about the product being sold. Last week I was bidding on a flute with a Bb foot. It did not have a Bb foot. It had a B foot. I have seen C flutes listed as Bb flutes too.

well no If i remember rightly it looked like a normal flute.....maybe he said E not B and it was an alto flute - that would make it somewhat less suitable as I was looking to play along with some clarinet music you see......

well a transposing instrument such as Bb flute (If you can find one) would look the same as a C flute. The difference would be in the length as it would be slightly longer. This difference would be as if the instrument were slightly enlarged in most all relevant dimensions. The only way to see this would be to have two flute side by side and lined up with the keys.

My first assumption is still probably my best. A mistake in the advertising copy (title of the Ebay page). Notice that there was no other mention of this extraordinarily unique feature in the description section.

I did notice!!

An answer from a rival forum suggests that they are called "flute d'amour" (ahhh)and are available in A or B flat - One would of though that with the growth of Jazz instruments in B flat they may have had a revival but then maybe its more the quality of my musicianship that needs a revivla!!

A google search revelas the cheapest at £4200 (!!!)

Still at least I know I was'nt making it up eh?

Somewhere I encountered a list of different flutes that have been made.
The list was not actually of "Production: instruments so much as ones that were encountered.
So, I have three different sizes for the d'amour flute...
Flute d'amour .. Bb3
Flute d'amour .. A3
Flute d'amour .. Ab3

One other factor maybe worth mentioning is that the company making that particular flute isn't a well known one to me. The odds of them making an unusual version are slim because it maybe present a challenge to their design team and they would be difficult to sell.

yah that flute (the chink one) is a reg flute not a Bb one. the seller is just an idiot

http://www.altusflutes.eu/nc/en/produkte/newssingle-product/datum/2008/02/13/altus-flute-damour-1009se.html

Altus and a couple of others make them. They are really pricey, though.

flutesrawk wrote: "yah that flute (the chink one) is a reg flute not a Bb one."

I strongly recommend avoiding such language on a public Internet forum read by people around the world. Think what you want, but don't write it all down in public!

HI, I have an Emerson, Sterling Silver Flute ELD model. I was told that it was a B flat flute today at a very reputable woodwinds repair and sales shop here in NYC. The instrument is in very good condition. The serial # is 18510. Does anyone know what this Flute might be worth?

Thanks so much.
AM

As far as I know, Emerson Deford never made a B flat flute. I could ask his daughter though and find out for sure. The music store was most likely confusing it for a B foot flute.

Hi Kara, Thanks for your reply. I'd appreciate you checking, if it is not any inconvenience.
Thanks & B/rgds
AM

A quick visual comparison would help determine whether you have a C or Bb flute. If you compare the length of a C & Bb flute (when assembled), a Bb flute would be around an inch and a half to two inches longer than a C flute (assuming both have a C foot).