What do you think are the best professional flute brands? I have a Miyazawa flute at the moment but I need to get a spare flute which needs to be suitable to grade 8 standard.

Thank you

A Miyazawa should see you to Grade 8 and well beyond. I sat my Grade 8 ABRSM on a Miyazawa and it`s never let me down.

If it`s a spare then get something cheaper. I think a basic Yamaha woud be sturdy enough and you could always replace the head if you feel you need to.

Having said that, why anyone would need or how most people could afford a spare flute is beyond me! Unless you are doing seriously heavy playing- and by this I mean proffesional level/hours, I can`t see why one flute wouldn`t be perfectly suitable. My Miya`s never let me down. Maybe I`m just wierd though, and everyone actually has 6 back ups

Thank you for the advice :-) I`m glad my Miyazawa will be able to take me to grade 8.

I have a spare Yamaha 211 for a back up to my Powell. It is wonderful. A back up flute comes in very handy when you have to send your flute out for repairs, if you play a lot, for outside concerts, playing on the beach and for plenty of other reasons. Mine has come in handy a lot and I would recommend to any professional or series player to have a back up flute. You never know when you might need it.

I have a bunch of flute because I like to collect. So, the only problem that I have is choosing which one to use as a backup.

I just have to second...
It is GREAT to have a back-up you are used to, or know a reliable place where you can rent a comparable (or at least conservatory model) flute that you can easily adjust to. (Know these resources BEFORE you have an emergency!) If the only models available were a flashy Yamaha, or a student Gemeinhardt in good working order, I`d take the Gemeinhardt as I have no luck with most of the Yamaha headjoint cuts.

I got INCREDIBLY lucky before a concert...some percussionist rammed into me and my flute, and luckily I adapted quite well to my lesson teacher`s 1950`s Haynes...well, that and she let me use it.

I wouldn`t suggest my flying by the seat of my pants method. When I can finally afford my Powell, I`ll be keeping my `91Gemeinhardt 3SB(I think that`s what it is! Solid silver H/B/F, plated keys), for sentimental reasons, AND well, she plays REALLY well for what she is and would be a perfect back up.