Can anyone tell me the best intermediate brand and models for the best price? I have been playing for 6 years and am ready to move up. I'm looking at several different models: Yamaha YFL481H, Gemeinhardt 3SB, and Emerson EF8. Are any of these models more superior?

Yamaha has been on my top list of good quaility, but there prices have really sored. IMO, my favorite flute out of the intermediate catagory is the new Azumi line and then Yamaha would be my second choice. But from the three you have listed I would say that the Yamaha is the superior of them.

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Oops.. Soared.

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I should also add that there is not "best" intermediate flute. You need to play as many as possible and choose the one best suited for you. Now quality wise there are differences.

Kara's advice is great, as usual, but there are several other makes of flute you should look at as well. I would research (and playtest if at all possible) Sonare, Amadeus, Brio, DiMedici, Muramatsu, Pearl, Sankyo, and Trevor James in addition to the three models you're already looking at. They will all have different strengths and weaknesses, and there's really no way to tell what will work best for you, so you should try as many of the available options as possible, and choose your favorite.

Since you mentioned some of those, you should also try a Powell Signature flute. It blows the Sonare which has a Powell head out of the water! But where do you draw the line at what is intermediate or not? That tis thee question? If we had a price range that you are willing to set then it would be much easier to go from there. There are intermediate flutes, and then there a pre professional flutes, it all depends.

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This would be a good subject to use as a sticky thread. This has been talked about a lot in the past.

okay, this doesn't have to do with intermediete models, [ but i like yamahas and gemeinhardt] i'm new. not to band lol. just to this forum. any marching band kids?

oops. i forgot. i have the g 3osb and i loveee it. i got the thin wall head joint with it. it's amazing. just my opinion though.

OK, step one: what can you afford to spend?

Two: Enlist the help of your flute teacher. If you have no flute teacher, please consider the cost of having someone knowledgeable help you make this purchase- the charge for a couple of lessons will be well worth it if you can find a really well-padded flute with a well-cut headjoint.

Three: Find a source for flutes to try. If you have a really good local shop (that wants to find you a good flute, not just A flute, get the money, and send you out the door!) they should be able to order in several flutes in your price range so you can try them out. Another option can be the internet, where the availability of some very high quality used flutes, at very good prices, may buy you a better flute than you can afford from a local source. Once again, find a reputable person who will arrange to send you at least two suitable flutes on trial. Nancy Shinn of http://www.flutestar.com does a great job, and Liz from Winds 101 has also been recommended. Ebay can be VERY risky, since most used flutes from eBay will need at least $250 work to get them into playing condition- regardless of the seller's statement that its pads are just fine. Many of the sellers on eBay really have very little idea of what kind of playing condition a flute is in. At the very least, buy a reputable brand and model and build the cost of an overhaul into it. And make sure that you can return it within a week if you need to. Take it to a good tech who can tell you what it will cost to get in playing condition. Keep in mind also that sometimes you can get a great deal on an eBay flute thats great in every respect- except that it STINKS and there's no way to get rid of the smell!

Four: If you have a very good model student flute, which is in good repair, consider buying a new headjoint for it. Most of the response from the flute is from the headjoint, and a pro head can make a student flute sound amazing. For the money, you can afford a professional-model headjoint for about half what a good upgrade flute costs. For example, if you have a Yamaha 221 student flute, you can buy an EC cut silver headjoint (pro-level) for somewhere around $750- even less for a used one. A new Yamaha silver-head flute will cost at least $1200 new, the solid silver models are more like $1600 and these models come with the less popular CY cut headjoint.

Five: Play test the available flutes. This is where your help comes in so that you choose a flute that works for you, is comfortable to play, and is in good repair. I would play each flute agains a tuner to check the scale- which notes are a little sharp, or a little flat? An even scale makes your job MUCH easier. Try some long tones- can you get a nice, clear sound that is pleasing to you, and your listeners? Can you vary the tone colors so you don't always sound sweet and bright when playing a sad song? How is the response in the lowest notes- can you get a full, round, forte low D? How is the articulation- can you play staccato or marcato notes easily? How well can you change octaves on the same note?

One helpful 'trick' so that you don't have 'price prejudice' after you have narrowed it down to two or three flutes: Have someone blindfold you, so you can play each one without knowing which one it is. Have your friend write down your comments. You may end up liking the least expensive one!

I'm sure some of the other regular posters have some good ideas for a play-test session.

Thanks, you have all given me something to think about. I will be using the new flute for casual playing only and maybe become a part of a community band. I played through high school and went to college on a scholarship but stopped playing because I didn't have time. Really missing it I have decided to pick it back up, and yes knowing that I will have a lot of practicing to get back in good shape. Since this flute will be for casual playing I'm looking to spend around $1000 and not looking for anything top of the line but something that will be easy to play and have a very warm tone. I realize that the rest will mostly have to come from me. Thanks again for all of your suggestions. Any that you may have regarding what models will be in my price range I would appreciate it. Used will also be fine. $1200 would be my limit.

You may like something better, so you won't know unless you try some of these other brands.

Sorry that statment may be a bit confusing. I should have said....
You may find a model that you prefer more that the Azumi or Yamaha that I recommended, so you won't know unless you try some of these other brands.

*cough*Armstrong*cough*

Kara, I do not see a lot of Powells here, so have never compared a Signature alongside a Sonare. Do you find that the Signature has a considerably superior (for you) head to the Sonare? Anybody else withi comments to add? Does the literature mention or hint at any difference in cut? Thanks in advance.

I own a Powell Signature. They have the same handcut headjoint as the Sonare flutes, and there is no literature to indicate otherwise. However, the Signature body is made by Powell in Boston. It's closer to the Powell Conservatory body than the Sonare body.

Although I use a Nagahara head, my stock headjoint is better than some of the Sonares I've played. Of course, that could be because a superior body enables the headjoint sound better.

Your correct Tim, they are the same heads that are on the Sonare and Signature Powell. I was informed by Sarah Kelly from the Powell company that that they are all cut at the Powell factory by the same three workers that cut all the heads there.
So, yes they might vary like any headjoint would. I don't think that Powell would let any duds go out the door. I just don't know what they were thinking by associated themsleves with the Sonare body????


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Tim, how is the Nagahara head working on your Powell? I have one, but mostly use my Williams head. When I do more solo work and need the bigger sound I usually use the Nagahara. Hope you and all the kitties are doing well. :)

Micron, your proposed theory has also crossed my mind. I suppose know will know for sure how the headjoints are assigned bodies other than the folks at Powell.

I, personally, would never purchase a handcut headjoint that I haven't play tested. I'm privileged enough to live near a flute specialty shop so I spent months playing headjoints until I purchased one I felt enabled me to produce a superior sound.

Kara, the cut I have is the "Ardore." I guess I differ from a lot of flutists in that I prefer a bright sound to a dark one. Now that my muscle memory knows the correct focus for this headjoint, I love it. I never head the opportunity to play a Williams, but I've heard rave reviews. The kitty is fine, he had fun swatting at Christmas ornaments and playing with all the empty boxes and wadded rapping paper. How is your zoo doing?

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sorry, I suppose no one will know for sure how the headjoints are assigned bodies other than the folks at Powell.

Kara, the cut I have is the "Ardore." I guess I differ from a lot of flutists in that I prefer a bright sound to a dark one.

You are more like me then because that is the cut I have. I did like the one with the 14K riser, but couldn't afford it at the time. To me it played a tad darker and a bit smoother. My taste really changes from time to time. Sometimes I think that my A cut can be too bright for my liking and other times it is perfect. After a few months of playing on both the Williams and the Nagahara, I still think that the Williams suites me best. I really like both of them, but I should part with one. (Vet bills!) lol!

My kitties are making me want to scream most days. They are in to EVERYTHING! I have to tell myself it is because they are young and will grow out of it. I luv em though! Out Christmas tree stayed standing thoughout the season which is a big suprise.