So Many Flutes for Sale, Which Model is Best?
A Student Flute, B Flute, C Flute, Open Hole, or Even a Silver Flute
Nov 7, 2008
Choosing a flute model can be intimidating. Jonathan Cathell, a technician who has repaired woodwinds for twenty years, explains the variations in quality, features and style musicians will encounter when they go to buy a new or used flute. In a related article, he offers tips on what to look for when checking the condition of a used flute.
From a Student Flute to a Professional Flute
The classifications student flute, intermediate flute, and professional flute aren’t always reliable. No matter what features or materials an instrument boasts, its sound and reliability depend most heavily on craftsmanship. For this reason, it’s not a bad idea to shop brands like Gemeinhardt or Yamaha which have consistently put out quality instruments for years. There are several reliable manufacturers buyers can easily find by questioning experienced flute players.
When buyers research to compare trusted manufacturers, they’ll quickly discover the reason for levels such as the student flute, intermediate flute, and professional flute. Where a student flute will start out at just a few hundred dollars, a professional flute can easily cost more than an expensive car. With each step up, the materials used to make the flute will be different, and more features will be available. Below is a breakdown of what buyers can expect to find at each level.
The Student Flute
The metal a flute is made with definitely impacts its tone. It’s generally agreed gold produces the most depth and warmth, and is followed closely by silver. A Student flute is made of nickel silver, which actually contains no silver at all. While a student flute is inexpensive and durable, it sacrifices in sound.
A Student flute will be plated with either nickel or silver. A Nickel plated student flute is least expensive and easier to keep polished, but for just a little more, a silver plated student flute will have a slightly better tone and be a little less slippery. The silver plating will also last longer.
One feature buyers might have to consider on a student flute is an offset G. On an inline flute, all the keys are in a straight row. On an offset G, the key for the left ring finger is slightly shifted. The inline flutes promote proper hand position, but the offset Gs are more comfortable to play.
The Intermediate Flute
With intermediate and higher quality flutes, greater attention has usually gone into their construction. Jonathan comments, “The mechanical condition and adjustment is absolutely imperative on a woodwind instrument. I’ve seen so many students quit because their horn’s not working properly. They quit playing, because they think it’s them.”
Most intermediate flutes have solid sterling headjoints. As flutes increase in value, more parts will be solid silver. Since the sound begins in the headjoint, this is the most crucial area to upgrade for improved tone. Some intermediate flutes also offer gold lip plates.
A useful feature offered on most intermediate flutes is a low B footjoint. An extra key is added to the bottom section of these flutes so musicians can hit one note below the lowest C.
A gizmo key is another feature intermediate flutes may offer. This key is on the footjoint and is pressed to close the low B hole without also closing the low C and C hole. The gizmo key is only needed when playing the highest C.
The Professional Flute
For most musicians, the thousands of dollars to procure a professional flute won’t justify the gains in performance and tone. Jonathan says, “A lot of professional flute players buy high end headjoints, before buying an expensive flute, because the quality of the headjoint makes all the difference in the world.”
A professional flute will offer additional features such as gold springs, a solid sterling body and foot joint, and solid sterling keys. The most expensive can be entirely made of solid gold or platinum. The biggest difference will again be found in the step up in quality and attention to detail.
The Open Hole Flute
Buyers must also consider whether an open hole (French model) flute or a standard (Plateau model) flute is right for them. Certain manufacturers make both models available as an intermediate or student flute. The French style flute has the exact keys and mechanisms of the Plateau model, except the centers of five keys are open. This means, a flautist must make sure to cover the entire key with their fingertip to obtain proper tone and pitch.
There are several advantages to an open hole flute. First, proper finger position is encouraged by forcing the player to cover the entire key. Because its holes aren’t muffled by keys, The French style flute’s tone is slightly louder and clearer. Special effects like bending a pitch or sliding up to a note is possible by covering the hole in a fluid motion rather than all at once. And the third octave notes on a French model have slightly better tuning.
There are also disadvantages to weigh with the open hole flute, especially for beginners. Open hole flutes are more expensive and harder to play initially.
Choosing the best flute for any particular musician depends on many factors. How much money do buyers want to spend? How important is durability? How important is tone? What features will a musician need to play their favorite genre? All these considerations will effect the buyer’s decision, but that’s exactly why there are so many flute models on the market. Careful research can be the first step in finding the right flute.
Quotes and information gained through conversation with Jonathan Cathell.
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