Another question: split E. What is it? And all those other extra things for trilling.

I know money doesn't fall from the sky (if it did I'd already have another flute). But if you like playing alto, I still say go for it. Another option, of course, would be to sell the flute and the money could help you get the alto...but that's be really unfair if you love to play flute.

When you play the Eb note, particularly in the second octave, you will really appreciate a split E key!

The trill keys are useful - if you have musical notation which demands trills. The D/D sharp trill key is for the same note ... as is any other trill key in any other flute. The High C Gizmo key is also standard on most flutes - it just enables higher octave playing with less harmonics.

Lol. If I sell my Trevor James student flute, I might be able to afford just the insurance for a new alto flute

I've got my mind set on an alto flute. I'm just reading flute repertoire now and trying to learn how to transpose a fourth so that it becomes more natural if this is going to be my instrument of choice. It isn't natural to me yet, so I'm going to learn and be prepared when my new alto flute eventually arrives!

Then again, life would feel empty without a C concert flute lol.

Would you recommend all that on an intermediate flute? Probably not? You know a lot!

Actually - I consider most of those things 'standard' on a student or intermediate flute!!

Except the extra B roller and curved lip plates...those are high end intermediate!

You'll get a C sharp trill key on the most basic flutes...the split E mechanism is available on the student Trevor James flutes too.

Tell your parents you've done your research and you've decided that the Trevor James Recital 2 flute is intermediate to your standards but you will compromise and accept a Recital 1 (silver head joint only) as you are very understanding of their financial situation

http://www.trevorjames.com/productdetail.cgi?inst=flute&range_id=5&sub_id=2

Lol. It's easy to become an internet expert with google :D I knew next to nothing about flutes a few months ago. I'm constantly amazed at how much info is on the internet. It just needs filtering since there's too much info to wade through sometimes

...so!

Your 'dream' intermediate flute:

1. Solid silver head joint *absolute must*
2. Off-set G key
3. Split E mechanism
4. C joint is fine (B joint if and only if you can swing it)
5. Trill keys as standard
6. Laser cut embouchure, or raised lip plate (gold or silver doesn't matter really)
7. Thicker wall option - not necessary
8. 5 year warranty would be nice :D
9. Triple plated body if you can't afford a solid silver body/foot joint
10. Double skin membrane seals
11. Felt rather than cork (cork is okay, but you might find sealing problems over time). Felt is easier to replace maybe?
12. C sharp trill/Gizmo keys as standard
13. Hard case! Don't settle for a soft case no matter what! When the car wheel rolls over it, you won't regret it lol

Whoa whoa whoa! I don't know budget, and still looking at brands. I should probably go to the local music store to try flutes (only place I could do that.)

I do agree about the Internet. I've found out so much about flute.But yeah, more or less, that sums up my "dream" flute.

I still say I need to know more!

1. Solid silver head joint *absolute must*
2. Off-set G key
3. Split E mechanism
4. B joint
5. Trill keys as standard
6. Laser cut embouchure, or raised lip plate (gold or silver doesn't matter really) <<maybe<<
7. Thicker wall option - not necessary
8. 5 year warranty would be nice :D
9. Triple plated body if you can't afford a solid silver body/foot joint <<I want silver, but just have no idea on money wise<<
10. Double skin membrane seals <<Explain please<<
11. Felt rather than cork (cork is okay, but you might find sealing problems over time). Felt is easier to replace maybe? <<explain please<<
12. C sharp trill/Gizmo keys as standard
13. Hard case! Don't settle for a soft case no matter what! When the car wheel rolls over it, you won't regret it lol <Agree!

Order online? I've heard you shouldn't buy in store because if you buy there and It goes out of business then you're in trouble.

You know what? I just realized, I have a soft case for my Armstrong!

I think Trevor James may have patented their triple silver plating process.

The relevance is .. after years, many cheap silver plated flutes lose their plating fast because the silver plate adherence to the base metal is very weak. TJ say they double plate silver onto flash plated copper, which means the flute 's silver plate weathers the years better.

The loan flute I had had single membranes on the pads (kind of fabric). That meant that I could only get a really good valve seal in some notes, like the low G (C fingering on the alto flute) by hard pressure. It's really really hard to play flute like this! The double membrane seals allow a light finger touch to achieve a perfect seal.

My flute repairer tells me that felt seals are easier to repair. I guess it's because he doesn't drink enough wine to get the cork material lol. Not sure really, but the loan flute I had with corking had lost the cork in several areas after the last student borrowed it.

PS - Have you mastered playing and embouchure whilst playing in the marching band? That's quite a skill. I'd hope that if I blew out of tune, nobody would notice it was me

If you're asking if I can play and march, then yes. I started this summer. At first I couldn't get a sound out of it while marching, like the first three or so practices. But then i got the hang of it. We actually have a parade today!

The biggest part embrouchure wise is that the lip plate gets all wet from playing!

When you play the Eb note, particularly in the second octave, you will really appreciate a split E key!

??????????

A Split-E makes the E3 (third octave) speak easier. It really splits the G keys, so that when you finger the high E, the lower G key goes down. Some people use a "donut" instead, but that tends to flatten the A1 and A2. I currently have a
Split-E on my Haynes and am paying an extra $1065 for a
Split-E on my new Brannen. A donut could be installed for about $60 and is a less expensive alternative.

Thanks!

You'll get a C sharp trill key on the most basic flutes...the split E mechanism is available on the student Trevor James flutes too.

????????

You are confusing the normal trill keys with a C# Trill Key, with the later being one which moves several left-hand fingerings to the right hand. You will see another spatula near the Bb Shake which is used to open a normal sized key near the Bb Thumb Key.
Brannen charges an additional $750 for this key.

You have any advice on intermediate flutes? Please tell.