Hello,

I have studied the recorder for almost 4 years, and the transverse flute for 2 years, the problem is, what I do own is one of those cheap Chinese flutes, it's C foot joint and has close hole system (G inline). It was really nice on high notes, but tends to not make the bass notes just too dark.

I had some teachers that couldn't even make the notes! It took me a lot of time to make them work, but not properly and making me going nut, that was ok for learning, but I pretend to buy a professional flute for the rest of my life, or let's say, for at least 15 years of playing doing it with care, of course.

I have not much money, since I live in Brazil the money is divided by the half, so, let's say I have something like Us$1,500 to expend, or maybe something more, anyway... It has to be B foot joint or at least open holes so I can make it sound all the extra harmonium from those higher octaves, I do not care for covering the holes manually, I tried some flutes with that kind of position and really enjoyed this feature, maybe because I can find more positions for some notes. Nonetheless, I've read some other topic the best ones would be Muramatsu and Hayness, but I just can't get my hands on one of those, only if I did win some lottery prize.

The best in here are Yamaha, cause it almost monopolize the flute market, along with some Jupiter. I don't care if it is used, it has to be nice. I don't pretend buying some Yamaha, my idea is getting something that is handmade or semi-handmade. In the other topic someone said that Amadeus flute are quite nice, would that be a nice option? I have this problem cause I can't try them, but well, i don't have big fingers.

I've started making some tin whistles, but I'm far away from those kind of instruments, I did made some improvements on my flute, but still...

sincerely, Mateus

Unfortunately, for the price of $1,500 you will not be able to get a handmade flute. They usually start around $5,000. Open holes do not make any improvement or make the flute sound different in any way unless you use them to bend notes when playing something like Jazz music.

The fact is a flute that I want a flute to last nicely for my entire life!

I like to bend notes and be capable of making the comas more easily, that for jazz music and some Indian and folk music, such thing I can do with a traditional recorder or tin whistle. Well, with the open hole system I can also define better harmoniums, as a matter of fact, being able to play higher notes.

Is not about the volume nor the quality of sound, that I want it to be french open-hole system, but because of some notes I can play, yes, I need all of that bending, I play the Ska, and it's very handy to use it.

Anyway, what about those Amadeus flute? Are they nice ones? I willing to buy used flutes, no problem, just want a list of how good they are, and so: which are handmade, semi-handmade and the which are the serial ones.

(sorry for my bad English, just ask if you can't understand it)

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the which are the serial ones.*

those that are made by series.

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ment:

The fact is a flute that I want a flute to last nicely for my entire life!

I like to bend notes and be capable of making the comas more easily, that for jazz music and some Indian and folk music, such thing I can do with a traditional recorder or tin whistle. Well, with the open hole system I can also define better harmoniums, as a matter of fact, being able to play higher notes.

Is not about the volume nor the quality of sound, that I want it to be french open-hole system, but because of some notes I can play, yes, I need all of that bending, I play the Ska, and it's very handy to use it.

Anyway, what about those Amadeus flute? Are they nice ones? I willing to buy used flutes, no problem, just want a list of how good they are, and so: which are handmade, semi-handmade and those that are made by serial.

(sorry for my bad English, just ask if you can't understand it)

If you want a professional handmade flute then an Amadeus flute will be out of the question as those are not handmade or professional. Amadeus are nice intermediate line flutes. Will one last you a lifetime? Just about any flute can last a person a life time if it is maintained on a regular basis.

Like I mentioned before, unfortunately you are going to have to save up a lot more money than just $1,500 if you want a professional flute. Some pro brands would be Haynes, Miyazawa, Powell, Nagahara, Altus, Sankyo and Muramstsu just to name a few and give you an idea. I believe you mentioned Yamaha? I believe that there "handmade" model starts at around $8,000. And in my personal opinion really don't play much better than their 600 series.

Now if you want a handmade headjoint, just about any of the pro models that I mentioned above will outplay any Yamaha EC headjoint (again, in my opinion.) I have heard that their K headjoint is good though. I haven't tried it for myself to make an opinion.

Ok,

maybe it's not a flute for life, but then again (even if I think that it will probably be one of those), isn't there anything comparable to Yamaha EC?

What makes someone play good it's not only the instrument, but the player, but let's say that a nice instrument helps a lot! It's not like getting a speed car, well, I just freak out and play flute like almost all the time, when I'm not building my own recorders and whistles. One day I will be able to adjust any flute for my need, so yes, it it may be the basis for the flute for my life. Even although I do pretend building my own flute, it just feel different when you play something you've build, but that is probably some year away from now.

Yes, you made something clear, cause I don't want any of those Chinese cheap ones (I do have experienced lots of them), even I do know they are far better than the ones I bought here. Yeap, there are flutes that costs 200 bucks here, don't ask me how they are so cheap...

Anyway, Yamaha EC seems to be a nice choice (even if I don't sympathize that much with Yamaha), I may import it from anywhere in the globe, it can be European (that would be easier to bring), so. Anything just nice that can be compared to Yamaha EC (that is the model of the head joint, isn't it?)

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Just sawed that there are used flutes on Europe much more affordable to me! Even Muramatsu and those some of those handmade one you've mentioned, even if they are used, they still will do it!

Yeah, I do know Yamaha does make handmade flutes, but well, I'd rather getting one made by a crazy dude that probably is far away more nice. Thanks, since I have to import them I did said I had that amount but so i have somewhat more, I have a lot of contacts in Italy and Germany, so be it, thank you for your advice!

Yamaha EC is a headjoint and the EC refers to the cut. I am not sure what would be comparable to it. Maybe an Emerson or Jupiter DiMedici headjoints? I would never compare it to any of the handmade one's being sold on the market right now like Nagahara or Powell for example. I am very confused now about what you actually want. Your post didn't seem to make a lot of sense to me. No offense I am sure it is only because English is not your native tongue. Anyway, I wish you luck in finding a flute.

You are not making any sense at all. Go get a student Yamaha and then when you know something about flutes and can actually play it THEN spend your thousands of dollars on a professional flute. A student Yamaha will last you a life time if you keep it maintained. Why do people come on this forum with such nonsense in their heads?

Binx is completely right. My 20 year old (or at least I think) yamaha 225s has held up amazingly.

Never Mind I'm going to get an used Miyazawa from Europe, because of the taxes it will be far more cheaper to get from there. But for now I'm just saving more money. I have a flute for studies, even if that's Chinese, I just want a better sound and a nice instrument.

I also want to see how does the handmade system works so I can make my own flutes based on that, yes, I do want to build them myself, it will take time, but that will be nice to try that out.

Thanks everyone, now I'm decided!

You had your mind already made up before even posting asking questions. Why bother to post at all and waste everyones time? Glad that you found a flute though.

Not really!

You did helped me! Glad I found some nice one that I can afford XD thanks!

so you plan on building your own flute. i think your totaly waisting your time and money if you think your going to have the skills let alone the expertise required to make a flute.
the experience required to manufacture a flute of any standard will require many years of experience in metal smithing not to mention an extensive workshop of tools and equipement running in to many thousands of dollars

Yes,

I do plan to make this my job, but for now I will buy one that is handmade (cause I like to play them of course). And yes, it will take a lot of time, effort and money, but you known? I just love to play my handmade tin whistles and ocarinas, but of course, making a handmade traverse flute will be my dream becoming true.

Well, I think I should get a pro model if I do intend to make one of those, what has fascinated me is that the whole mechanics system is totally different.

Yes, I have a lot to learn, but that is not only about how to play the flute, but to learn how it is made, so yes, I need a handmade one. And yes, I will probably need to go outside of my country to learn with some master artisan, or at least try to find some of them, but that will take a lot of money and time as well. That's my life dream, and well, you've surely helped me.

Hi Guys,
Regarding the Yamaha EC...The first letter refers to the Cut and the second refers to the Taper of the head joint tube.

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/winds/product/others/access/flhead/main.htm

~bilbo
N.E. Ohio

I'm sorry for some of the rude response. I just want to let you know that I think you question was very sensible. Merry Christmas!