I am looking into the idea of purchasing a new flute as I would like to step up my playing a little.

The only thing is, I'm wondering if I would be wasting my money.

Is there THAT much difference between a good student flute and an intermediate model for a novice like myself?

My current flute is a Buffet Crampon 6020, I'm wondering if I will get anything more from an intermediate flute?

I have heard conflicting opinions. I appreciate that higher level flutes MUST produce a superior sound and playing experience. Why else would musicians spend out many hundreds/thousands of pounds on a flute if a £150 flute is just as good?

I have also heard a number of people say that they have heard a good flautist make even the cheapest flute sing like an angel.

Thankyou in avance for your advice/opinions.

there are some very very good student level flutes for the money now days, I know the flute you have and know that it can be difficult to play, a beginner needs a light responsive flute, set a budget and try several good brands, bring your current flute along for comparison

Patrick,

Thankyou for your fast reply! I have not played many flutes, since I have only been playing for such a short time, but taking my flute with me when I try a new one hadn't occurred to me!

I was originally given a LARK .... urrgghhh, horrid thing... so I know that some flutes are VERY cheap for a reason!

My eldest daughter has a Jupiter 511 or 515s (I cant remember without going to look at it and I'm lazy!!) It has both curved and straight head joints (she is only 8 so cannot play full size yet)
I think the Buffet sounds the nicest of the 3 but I am guessing thats not too difficult!

I was advised me to go with either a Buffet Crampon, Trevor James or Yamaha as a decent first flute.
I went with the Buffet purely because I came across one at a great price.

I will start saving my pennies for an upgrade... Maybe I'll treat myself for my 30th!
Now just to find a decent instrument shop near to me!

Angie, thanks for the PM, much appreciated.

It sort of depends on you whether an intermediate flute might be a good purchase at this point. If you are starting to feel limited by the flute you have now, then I would say absolutely look into an itermediate flute, or at least a different headjoint. In my experience, the major difference between a student and intermediate flute is not necessarily the base sound (it won't necessarily give a purer sound or anything), but the options you have with the sound (in terms of tone colour, dynamics, etc.), and in the overall ease of play. Response is usually quicker, the mechanism better built (and faster), and the scale more skillfully constructed the more you spend on a flute. If you really just want a new flute for the sake of having a new flute, of course that's up to you, but it probably means that you haven't gotten everything you can out of the Buffet you're playing now, and could save your money for another day without doing any harm. This might also allow you to purchase a slightly nicer instrument when the time comes that you really *need* it.

I have just posted a few comments on my new Yamaha 674 here: http://www.8notes.com/f/25_166850.asp