Hello,

It might sound like a stupid question..., but I was wondering if there are any other differences between a good and a bad flute apart from the tonality. I suppose there are.
Can anybody explain please?
Thanks!
Bo

search the threads in this forum, many many times has this been brought up. Try to refine your question, there are many many differences in good and bad flutes..

Thanks for the replies.
I actually bought a student flute last year (my very first flute).
It is silver-plated and I am not dissatisfied for what I paid (about 400 dollars), but I was thinking of buying a more professional one soon and didn't want the salespeople to rip me off.
The most evident thing I have noticed is it has a bright sound. Not that I dislike it, but I would prefer a softer sound.
Most of you probably won't know it (I found a thread about this flute and nobody seemed to know it) because it is an Australian brand, Ashton. They manufacture several instruments and sell well among students, but I think only among students.

What do you think of the Yamaha 300 or 400 series as the next step?

Bo

I had a 300 series. I felt that I needed more flute so I ended up with a Muramatsu.

If you are seriously thinking of a Yamaha, I would go with the 500 or better yet the 600 series.

There are a lot more experienced flute players on this board who will give you more info.

The best advice is to play everything that you can get your hands on before you make a decision.

Yes, they try to mislead you with at lot of stuff like open holes etc.
The problem is they won't let you try out the flutes, at least not in my local music store, but I guess I could find another store in big Sydney. I would really like to try it out before I buy because I wouldn't like to pay a lot of money and then have a flute that sounds more or less like my old flute which is still working...

I wonder if I could buy a separate head joint also for my current flute?

I mainly play for pleasure, but I would like to make some recordings, so it should sound nice. When I first wanted to buy a flute last year somebody (not here) recommended some golden flutes which were about 30,000 dollars??? if I remember correctly. I don't think such flutes are for beginners... I would content myself with an intermediate flute.

A completely separate question - how do you tune a flute with the screws?

Bo

PS: They have some Trevor James flutes too here which are supposed to be good, but I think they are very expensive.

Yes, I know!
I touched the screws when I first bought the flute (the very first week) and stuffed it... I thought I would sort of understand what I was doing, like with the guitar, but I was not! I have never touched the screws again.

I will see if I can find a cheap second-hand headjoint for a start... Maybe eBay is the place to go.

I think it would be really nice if manufacturers would put sound samples on their website. It would be so helpful.

I don't like gold either. And my wallet agrees... LOL

Bo

Even if manufacturers were to put up sound samples, that particular headjoint would not sound the same when another person picked it up and played it. That would be no fun if we all sounded the same or close by playing on the same headjoint. Sound samples would be pretty much useless. If you are an accomplished flutist with a good embouchure, you can sound beautiful on a nickel plated Gemeinhardt.

Sorry, I forgot to add more. The 300-400 series Yamaha is basically a standard 200 student flute with more silver content and open holes. It is more in the design of the flute than the silver content that will give you a difference. They are not worth it in my opinion. Hope I didn't repeat what anyone else said. The heat has really gotten to me today.

My worries started because on their website (the manufacturer's website) they call it a "student flute" and "perfect for the budding flutist", so I thought it was not so good? I actually like it. The sound is a little bit bright and clear, but somebody here said the Yamaha flutes also have a bright sound.
Maybe I should keep my baby for the moment!?