All I can tell you is my opinion, and what my flute-buying has taught me. All of my comments will be very opinionated/biased, but please consider them along with others` opinions.


My first flute was a Gemeinhardt, and I still have it to this day (I use it for marching band) It is silver plated, c-foot (only one key on the foot that spins), and has an offset G (the key your left ring finger plays is not in line with the other keys), and closed-holed

Silver plated is good because it looks nice without the expense.

A c-foot is good because it is lighter than a b-foot (a b-foot has a extra key).

An offset G is good because it is easier for your finger to reach the key.

Closed-holed is good for a beginner because it is one less thing to worry about.

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My good flute is a Yamaha. It is solid silver, offset G, b-foot, and open holed.

Silver has a different tone quality than other metals (such as nickel, alloys, or gold).

Offset G - the same as before

A b-foot allows you to go one note lower, but makes the flute a little heavier. It also helps prevent you from going sharp in the 3rd and 4th registers.

Open holes are supposed to create a clearer tone. I don`t notice that, but I do notice that it makes me feel more in touch with the music, because I can feel the vibrations against my fingertips when I play just right.

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My take on Jupiters:

When I was looking for a new flute, I tried a Jupiter and loved it. My band teacher (a flute player) reccomended that I DIDN`T get the Jupiter, explaining that the clear tone and quick reaction of the instument was due to a very thin wall. There is nothing wrong with the thin wall, except that it can be easily damaged if you`re not careful. Therefore, many companies will not repair Jupiter flutes because they are likely to make another damage while trying to repair something else. That was the only reason I got the Yamaha instead of the Jupiter.





I hope this was of some help.

Gumdrop

Ooops! I forgot!


I`d recommend looking at Woodwinds & Brasswinds. They sell instruments cheaper than other places, and will send you up to three at a time to test. You get them for a couple weeks, then send back the ones you don`t want. They only charge you for the one you keep. This is very useful because it allows you to compare how YOU sound on different brands: you will sound different than anyone else on this message board.


Happy Hunting!
Gumdrop

Hi!

I just purchased a Powell Signature flute at Fluteworld, and I find it to be one of the best mid-priced flutes available. As others mentioned, you really need to play different flutes. In comparing the signature to more expensive Muramatsu, Altus and Yamaha flutes, the Signature stood out from the others. As an old guy, I`m used to the traditional head joint, and I prefer the darker, full sound of the Powell Signature. I found most of the Japanese flutes to be much lighter without as much depth in the low octave except for a heavy wall Yamaha, which would have been my second choice.

But...the bottom line is that you need to see what works for you and your playing.

Good luck in your shopping!!

try the jupiter flutes. they are beautiful and sound great! (plus some models you can get a gold lip plate and its beautiful!)
good luck!

The Gemeinhardt KMG LTD. ROCKS!!!!!!!

But yes get a closed hole Gemeihardt if you are a beginner.

hi, i wondered what you all thought of the selmer flute. Selmer omega to be exact, is it better or worse then the gemeinhardt? Both flutes im looking at are solid silver.

just stick it up your ass and fart. if it sounds good, buy it.

I`m reading this thread again, and I`m not sure whether you are a beginner or not. If you are, then I`d reccomend something that is strong and sturdy. Gemeinhardts aren`t always the best flutes, but they can withstand a LOT of abuse (mine is eight years old, and even though I`ve dropped it a billion times, I`ve only had one problem). There are other brands with similar qualities, so look around. Sometimes, the best sound isn`t the best choice, especially if you haven`t played before.

Gumdrop

Hey there.

I noticed a lot of people have many different opinions. I`ve been playing flute for quite a while and ever since the beggining I`ve been playing on a Yamaha 281S2 and it`s brought me a long way. I have never needed to get it repaired (which is a good thing right?) and suggest the model to you.
I hope this helps!

(My flute teacher also tells me it`s quite sterdy... It`s a good model to pick out)

- Sarah

if you dont pic flute you are very g a y cuz flutes rule!

i`ve been playing on a Gemeinhardt 2SP for 4 years but am looking to actually owning my own as this one is a rental. Any reccomendations? Open or closed hole? C or low B foot? what about the material? PS. I plan to play for another 3 years(end of high school career)

Open hole flutes offer you more control over the tone of the notes, you can slur notes instead of going from one straight to another which might sound too harsh perhaps.

Open holed flutes free you from some of the restriction that a closed hole flute places. However, you can`t simply pick up an open holed flute and expect to play it.

When I first got mine I realised what they meant when they said "you have to be precise in your fingering" meaning if you aren`t covering the keys properly it becomes a frustrating game of constantly kicking yourself to remember to cover the holes other wise notes come out squeeky, off key, if at all.
But thats all part of learning and of course you can use corks to first get used to ur flute.
Its well worth it once you get used to it. Even better if you can get an offset g open holed flute. Contrary to what ppl say, i think its easier too play an offset g, and therefore makes me play better. Playing with an offset g makes a player no less professional. Those that say contrary are just nit picking.

But once again getting used to an inline is all part of learning. It just depends on the person. Me, I have small hands so offset g is good for me. Hope that helps.

(Oops she`s at it again)
My flute is solid silver with a thin wall headjoint and gold lip plate and gold plated inner tube for the head. All I can say is that their is a great difference from playing a solid silver flute to a silver plated flute.

The tone is sweeter, clearer, less metalic. Its easier to reach higher notes. But having the thin wall makes hitting high notes the easiest yet. I`m not sure if the gold does anything apart from make it look pretty. James Galway himself said somewhere that he had a solid silver flute and a solid gold flute and he said both played the same. The difference being that gold doesn`t bend or dent as easily as silver (he oftern had problems with silver flutes an the keys getting bent.) I like to think the gold makes it slightly easier to hit higher notes, and the tone more mellow and just....well just better. But thats just my opinion.

As for B or C foot, I think I`ve read somewhere that a B foot makes lower notes mellow, and it does something to higher notes.....maybe makes then a tad darker?
I think you should only get a B foot if the music you require needs you to have one, or you just want one
Hope that helps (you could tell I had verbal diorhea today, sorry!!!!)
p.s. i might be completely wrong about the B foot!!! You could read some reviews on the internet about flutes, that would help as well.

I agree with most things being said already, you have to try them to really know...

My first flute was a standard Yamaha with closed holes, offset G and C-foot, it was ok and I never gave it much thought.

My second flute was a Trevor James Privilège, head silver and body silver plated, same technique as the other one, but it was soooo much better to play. When I got this one I realised how much better it was than the Yamaha.

My current flute is a Powell Signature, silver and rhodium plated (doesn`t leave marks that easy) with open holes, inline and with B-foot. I just love this flute. The sound is so much darker and richer, and it`s so much better to play. The B-foot makes the flute a bit heavier (yes, you notice), but it also flattens the 3rd and 4th octaves. I feel this flute is answering me like the others didn`t, but of course that`s me.

I`ve been playing the flute for 12 years (at least) now, and I will continue FOREVER! If anyone told me I was not allowed to play, I would go crazy!!! Hehehe...

Good luck choosing flutes to all of you out there, we can only recommend brands, but you really need to play them and really listen to the response.

Madeline (c;=