Oi the British and their school system...

In Britain the sixth form (US 11th + 12th grade) are in "colleges" which is the equivalent of "High school" upon graduation students go to "University".

GCSE Music = Basic Music Theory
AS-level Music = Half way point to "college" (High School) diploma (US grade 11)
A2-Level Music = Final test for "college" (High School) diploma (US grade 12)
Both AS and A2 form the A-level requirement grduation from high school.

Just a clarification for those who may misinterpret British education levels.


You mean English/Welsh. Scotland have a different system which does not involve sixth form college. Our qualifications are also different.

Well, I`m new here, so I guess this is, in part, an introduction.

THE FLUTE

What Brand is your primary flute?
Yamaha

What model or model number?
481II

How old is it?
Probably about 7-8 years

Do you like it?
Possibly my most prized possession. Don`t know what I`d do without it.

What is your favorite feature on your flute?
Hard to say, but the key action is very nice and I can get some very rich tones out of it.

Is there anything you would change on it?
Not that I can think of.

Open or Closed Keys?
Open

What material is your flute made of?
975 sterling silver - I think with silver plated nickel keys.

Do you use the headjoint supplied with the flute? If not what do you use?
Yes.

What is your dream flute?
I haven`t tried enough flutes yet to tell.

Have you made any modifications to your flute?
Nope.

Other Features you`d like to mention?
Nothing important.

B or C foot
B foot

Anything else about your flute you want to mention?
Shiny!


THE MUSICIAN

How long have you been playing flute?
Ok, technically probably about 24 years. This needs explanation. I took lessons throughout my childhood, went to the Royal Conservatory for flute but eventually quit. Only played off and on until my flute was wrecked by kids... I`ve really gotten more serious about it after years of playing the guitar, learning a little violin. After practicing a piece on the violin for weeks, I picked up the flute (a new Selmer that served well for a few years) and played it perfectly, and with feeling the very first time. Took it more seriously after that and I`ve never regretted it. As a bonus, I can also play the guitar fairly well now. I`ve been more serious about flute for the last, say, 6 years.

What Musical Education have you received?
Heck if I remember what level I got to at the Conservatory. But people seemed to think I was pretty darn good and I remember making it through quite a few levels. Will ask my Mom - now I`m curious.

What is your favorite flute piece?
I can`t really give a normal answer to this. I don`t tend to play specific "flute music". My all time favorite song to play is "Divided Sky" by Phish.

How would you rate you playing level? (Be Honest )
Maybe intermediate when it comes to technique. But my ear, musical understanding and my improvising skills are more advanced.

How would you classify yourself musically? (technichian, student, professional, other)
I try not to. But my only honest answer would be "lifelong student". There`s no way a single lifetime is enough for something as deep as music.

Anything Else you`d like to add about yourself?
Not off the top of my head.

THE FLUTE

What Brand is your primary flute?
vintage Selmer (I decided that "vintage" is a nice term to employ)

How old is it?
35-36 years old

Do you like it?
It has great sentimental value; it has played consistently through all these long years (continuous play in many different venues/genres), but is slowing a bit and I notice it`s age. I must say that I admire and appreciate it for it`s longevity and very beautiful tone.

What is your favorite feature on your flute?
Not exactly a feature, but the shear longevity of this supposedly "lower class" level instrument is amazing. I`ve not run across another Selmer that even remotely approaches.

Is there anything you would change on it?
I`d love to make it my "back-up" flute!

Open or Closed Keys?
Open

What material is your flute made of?
Every part of it is silver, no plating

Do you use the headjoint supplied with the flute?
Yes.

What is your dream flute?
I can`t dream, that would be disloyal at this point! Maybe after I pay for a new van and the new roof for the house....then I may consider dreaming!

B or C foot
C foot

Anything else about your flute you want to mention?
Beautiful and powerful sound; very clear; amazing isn`t it....given that it is supposedly a piece of ****


THE MUSICIAN

How long have you been playing flute?
about 4 decades
What Musical Education have you received?
School lessons from age 9 through 18; earned a four year full flute scholarship to a Private University; but turned it down (!); kept the work up at University by playing in the Conducting orchestra.

What is your favorite flute piece?
I only have very personal favorites, you wouldn`t know them

How would you rate your playing level? (Be Honest )
varied,flexible, but just right for me

How would you classify yourself musically? (technichian, student, professional, other)
I am primarlily a liturgical musician

Anything Else you`d like to add about yourself?
I consider myself to be the "mom" of this forum. I don`t necessarily have all the answers, but am there to guide the youngsters where I can.

THE FLUTE

What Brand is your primary flute?
Armstrong

What model or model number?
401 I think

How old is it?
7 years old

Do you like it?
It's like my baby

What is your favorite feature on your flute?
Great sound for a student-type model (I can still outplay those wannabes who think they're amazing just because they have a fancy open- holed flute)

Is there anything you would change on it?
Wish it had a B foot

Open or Closed Keys.
closed

What material is your flute made of?
Um... normal cheap flute type stuff

Do you use the headjoint supplied with the flute? If not what do you use?
the one that came with it

What is your dream flute?
No idea... something built a little better than the one I have now


Have you made any modifications to your flute?
Nope

Other Features you`d like to mention?
Nope

B or C foot
C foot

Anything else about your flute you want to mention?
It breaks a lot. Maybe I'm just violent with it.


THE MUSICIAN

How long have you been playing flute?
7 years, since 4th grade

What Musical Education have you received?
School lessons, private lessons for just the last 4 months

What is your favorite flute piece?
I honestly don't know

How would you rate your playing level? (Be Honest)
somewhere between intermediate and advanced

How would you classify yourself musically? (technichian, student, professional, other)
High school band geek who loves to play, audition, and perform

Anything Else you`d like to add about yourself?
my second love is track... triple jumpers rock

THE FLUTE

What Brand is your primary flute?
Actually, I don't have it yet. I sold my Muramatsu, so now I'm playing my backup flute, which is an Emerson. I'm saving for a Powell.

What model or model number?
Currently, the Emerson F6 with a sterling American cut headjoint (which is very similar to the Yamaha EC). I'm going to get a Powell Signature.

How old is it?
The Emerson is brand new, I just need to get the keys set up.

Do you like it?
Out of all the other student flutes I tried, the new Emersons were just below the Yamahas, and at a fraction of the price. Once I get the keys adjusted and get silencers in the mechanism, it should be a great backup flute.

What is your favorite feature on your flute?
Great projection, ease of play.

Is there anything you would change on it?
I'd get an offset G, the store I purchased it from didn't have any in stock.

Open or Closed Keys.
Open holed

What material is your flute made of?
Sterling headjoint, plated body and mechanism.

Do you use the headjoint supplied with the flute? If not what do you use?
Yes, I got to pick the headjoint. When I get my Powell, I'm going to get a Nagahara headjoint.

What is your dream flute?
Handmade Nagahara

Have you made any modifications to your flute?
Nope

Other Features you`d like to mention?
no

B or C foot
C foot

Anything else about your flute you want to mention?
Nope

THE PICCOLO (Ignore this section if you don`t play piccolo)

What Brand is your piccolo
I don't have one currently. I'm going to get a Boston Legacy after I get my flute.

What is your dream piccolo?
Hammig with a thinwall grenadilla head and silver mechanism

THE MUSICIAN

How long have you been playing flute?
15 years

What Musical Education have you received?
I played in my university band and took flute classes as electives, although I was not a music major. I was too money motivated to major in music.

What is your favorite flute piece?
Dutilleux Sonatine

How would you rate you playing level? (Be Honest )
Advanced, but always trying to improve.

How would you classify yourself musically? (technichian, student, professional, other)
I'll use Andrew's answer: Basically, I just love playing the flute, I`m not a proffesional, and I`m not a student.

Anything Else you`d like to add about yourself?
I play in a civic orchestra and take private lessons. My favorite beer is Abita Purple Haze.

Hi Tim,
I am sure that you are just going to love you new Powell when you do get it. I am actually considering on selling mine. I have had such a horrible time with the Powell company (horrible customer service!!!) that I am about ready to tell them that I am not going to support there name by playing on one of their flutes anymore. I love my flute, but I am not about to deal with them anymore. It is just not worth it. Just make sure to get your flute through a good dealer, and then you shouldn't have to deal with the company directly then.

Sorry, for gripping, I have just had a really lousy week with that whole mess!

oops, I meant griping. Lol!

THE FLUTE

What Brand is your primary flute?
Pearl

What model or model number?
Elegante

How old is it?
2.5 years old

Do you like it?
Yup

What is your favorite feature on your flute?
D# roller. I can't believe I lived without one as long as I did.

Is there anything you would change on it?
Can't think of anything

Open or Closed Keys.
open

What material is your flute made of?
silver

Do you use the headjoint supplied with the flute? If not what do you use?
I use an Altus hj when play "straight flute" because it's way more resistant than the stock hj and I can push the heck out of the low notes without them EVER cracking. But I also use the stock headjoint for certain gigs because it's fitted with a pickup that I run through an effects processor.

What is your dream flute?
John Lunn Art Nouveau model. And he isn't making them anymore. But if I could get my hot little hands on one....


Have you made any modifications to your flute?
Bo-pep thumb rest to counteract its' tendency to roll backwards

Other Features you`d like to mention?
C# trill

B or C foot
B foot

Anything else about your flute you want to mention?
Nothing really...


THE MUSICIAN

How long have you been playing flute?
25 years

What Musical Education have you received?
lessons throughout childhood, a 2-year stint as a music major before trading the joys of sighting singing and class piano for the joys of middle English and Geoffrey Chaucer

What is your favorite flute piece?
I don't know that I have a specific favorite piece, but I do have favorite genres... I heart Klezmer flute, Latin flute, and Celtic flute...

How would you rate your playing level? (Be Honest)
advanced amateur...

How would you classify yourself musically? (technichian, student, professional, other)
techie gearhead who loves to play

Anything Else you`d like to add about yourself?
I do sound design and live sound. I've also done quite a bit of studio engineering and am in the process of building my home studio. I adore anything Mackie. And I really have an unusual fetish for gaffer's tape.

Wow Kara, what specific problems have you had with Powell? Each time I've contacted them with questions, they've responded immediately (unlike Haynes who took almost a month to answer one question).

THE FLUTE

What Brand is your primary flute?
Aprenti

What model or model number?
ummm...the standard model

How old is it?
approx. 1 1/2 years

Do you like it?
Yea, for the time being.

What is your favorite feature on your flute?
i dunno, it has an extremely nice sound compared to all of the other flutes in its price range.

Is there anything you would change on it?
pointed arms (aren't available on the model)

Open or Closed Keys.
Open holed

What material is your flute made of?
24K Glod Plated Sterling Silver headjoint, Silver Plated body, foot, and mech.

Do you use the headjoint supplied with the flute? If not what do you use?
Yes

What is your dream flute?
Handmade Custom 19.5K Powell

Have you made any modifications to your flute?
No

Other Features you`d like to mention?
24K Gold Plated Headjoint

B or C foot
B foot

Anything else about your flute you want to mention?
Nope

THE PICCOLO (Ignore this section if you don`t play piccolo)

What Brand is your piccolo
Burkart-Phelan

What model is it?
Global

What material is your piccolo made of?
Grenadilla wood and Silver plated mech.

Do you like it?
EXTREMELY happy with it!!

What is your dream piccolo?
Handmade Custom Burkart or Powell

Anything else about your piccolo you want to mention?
Nope

THE MUSICIAN

How long have you been playing flute?
3 1/2 years

What Musical Education have you received?
School Music program and private lessons for most of the time I have played.

What is your favorite flute piece?
Too many to name.

How would you rate you playing level? (Be Honest )
Advanced High school, Intermediate? Passed the Chaminade level, working Mozart Concerto in G and gonna start Doppler's Hingarian Fantasy

How would you classify yourself musically? (technichian, student, professional, other)
Dedicated Student

Anything Else you`d like to add about yourself?
hmm, I am really dedicated to music and plactice a lot to improve and become a better musician.

THE FLUTE

What Brand is your primary flute?
Yamaha

What model or model number?
581

How old is it?
5-8 years...not sure I bought it used

Do you like it?
Of course

What is your favorite feature on your flute?
dunno really. It's just a great flute

Is there anything you would change on it?
Not really. I mean, if I could turn it into a Powell or Haynes or something, that'd be great...but other than that..

Open or Closed Keys.
Open holed

What material is your flute made of?
Silver

Do you use the headjoint supplied with the flute? If not what do you use?
Yup

What is your dream flute?
Something professional, handcrafted, probably expensive

Have you made any modifications to your flute?
well, before I bought it, they gold plated the mouthpiece free. I let em do it even though I knew it wouldn't make any difference other than aesthetics.

Other Features you`d like to mention?
nothing really special

B or C foot
B foot

Anything else about your flute you want to mention?
not at this point

THE PICCOLO (Ignore this section if you don`t play piccolo)

What Brand is your piccolo
Yamaha

What model is it?
YPC32

What material is your piccolo made of?
Solid silver head, and plastic body.

Do you like it?
Yes, although I'm considering an upgrade. Once I start marching mellophone, I won't need a dual purpose pic so I can go ALL wood

What is your dream piccolo?
Hammig

Anything else about your piccolo you want to mention?
I've had it 5 years and it's wonderful

THE MUSICIAN

How long have you been playing flute?
9 years

What Musical Education have you received?
I have taken flute since middle school through the public school band program. I've been taking lessons privately on the side since junior high. And a year of college. Also I've learned clarinet and sax.

What is your favorite flute piece?
Ibert's Flute Concerto

How would you rate you playing level? (Be Honest )
mediocre

How would you classify yourself musically? (technichian, student, professional, other)
Student-I'll always be a student no matter what level I'm at

Anything Else you`d like to add about yourself?
I love the flute: from the sound to the study to the effort it takes in practice.

<Added>

Sorry it has just been brought to my attention that I gave the wrong infor on my pic...not that I see it really matter because I'm not trying to sell it to anyone. But it has a silver PLATED head and a plastic body.

Th Yamaha 32 has a silver plated head, not solid silver.

I just said that Andrew. Lol!

i was thinking the same thing too. lol

THE FLUTE

Gemeinhardt.

3shb

1 year

love it

full rich sound

no

Open

Solid silver head, plated body and foot

Yes

Pearl 765 rbe quantz coda

no

no

b

nothing else

THE PICCOLO

Gemeinhardt

4pmh

plated head/plastic body

LOVE IT

Gemeinhardt kgl limited or Roy Seamen Signiture

THE MUSCICIAN

7 flute 6 piccolo

Self taught, but advanced throught the years.

John Phillip Sousa's THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER.

Advanced Intermediate

I love and live to play the flute. I play in my church choir and I love every minute of it.