Buying tips & guidelines

Flute - Buying tips and guidelines

Nickel-silver, silver and gold are used to construct flutes. One of the most significant variants in a flute is the G key. They come with either an inline or offset G key. Although only one key is shifted slightly to the left, the entire playing position of your hand is altered. Some professionals play both models and assert that one allows for quicker trills than the other. Still, it comes down to the position that is more comfortable for the player.

Like most instruments, there are three key categories - Beginners, Intermediate and Professional flutes. For a starter, it will make sense to start with a good beginner instrument. It is best to take time to compare brands, prices and customer reviews to find models that balance economy with good sound and playability.

With the flute, getting started can be challenging for learners with small hands. Realizing this, some beginner flute models have curved head joints that help to extend the player’s reach. Minimizing the reach makes the flute easier for many beginner flautists to play.

A student-model flute will usually have closed holes on its keys. It makes the flute easier to play for the student. As the sound of a flute does not come out of its end, these differences in the keys noticeably affect the sound produced. Serious players eventually upgrade to an open-holed flute because of their improved tone and control over the intonation.

A beginner and student model flute will likely be made out of a nickel and silver alloy, which is far more durable than silver alone. The most popular plating for a flute is silver because of its brilliance. In contrast, nickel-plated flutes are a more affordable option. Some people have allergies to silver or nickel and should opt for the type of plating they can safely handle.

Selecting the right one

The choice of which instrument to select, especially if it is your first depends on different factors, including: -

The level of your commitment to playing the instrument
How much time do you want to spend rehearsing playing the instrument
How much money do you wish to spend on the instrument
The styles and genres you want to play
The instrument type that best suits you

How much you can spend on the quality of the instrument you get is wide-ranging. You can get a simple, good, working, used instrument entirely sufficient for your purposes or a new expensive instrument that may not necessarily fit your goals.
To ensure you buy the best instrument that fits your needs, you take time to compare brands, prices and customer reviews. Look for models that balance economy with good sound and playability.
Both beginner and student model flutes will likely be made of nickel and silver alloy, which is far more durable than silver alone. The most popular plating for a flute is silver because of its brilliance. In contrast, nickel-plated flutes are a more affordable option. Some people have allergies to silver or nickel and should opt for the type of plating they can safely handle.

You should always seek help before you buy an instrument to know whether the quality of what you're getting is worth the price. Soliciting the help of a flute teacher, a friend or someone who plays the instrument to go with you to test, feel, and check the instrument before buying it is recommended.
It makes sense to check if you can lend a used instrument from the music school, lease or rent a new instrument from the music shop, which you can buy later.
Take your time deciding to get your instrument to ensure you get the right thing. You can ask if you can take an instrument home for a day's tryout based on a prior arrangement/agreement with the shop before making your decision.

If the dealer still needs to get the type of instrument you want, you should ask them to show you the ones they have that are within your budget range to try out. Off course, be aware that the professional flute will differ from the student's in terms of quality and cost.

To ensure you are buying an instrument fit for purpose, carefully check if anything is broken, scratched or cracked on your selected instrument before you buy. You do this by checking if: -

All the keys and tone holes have no problems with them
See if any screws on the instrument shake or are all firm
The mechanics of the instrument works smoothly
All springs are working fine, and if they close all keys, they should close these without too much noise
All the pads are glued in properly and look healthy

Renting a Flute

Selecting which flute you want to play is challenging for a beginner. The idea of renting may seem tempting, but it can be more expensive with more trouble than it’s worth. Rental flutes may have pads that may not be in prime condition, and the cork in the flute head joint may be worn - both of which can dramatically affect sound quality.
If rented long-term, fees can pile up quickly when in all reality, a beginner’s flute bought straight out costs less than a year’s worth of rent. In essence, rental though more flexible, can be unnecessarily costly (with a monthly charge and the ability to return). At the same time, the purchase is more cost-effective if you or your child stick with playing the instrument in the longer term.
The recommendation is that you buy from a reputable dealer specialising in flutes and ignore optional features on the instrument to get the best craftsmanship overall.
Before buying a new flute:

Talk to as many people as possible who have played or understand the flute.
Include music teachers, directors or friends who play the instrument. You’ll likely find their advice helpful.
If possible, consider taking them with you to the music store so they can try out the instrument themselves.

New vs Second hand

A new flute starts losing its price value immediately after you buy it, whilst the value of a used flute is determined by its condition. Suppose you can find an outstanding quality used instrument that has been appropriately taken care of. In that case, this can save you a substantial amount of money and therefore go for it.

The reasoning driving the purchase of a new instrument should always be quality or craft that will support your effort to learn to play the instrument. You can also check with music shops if it is possible to lend a used instrument for a short period and buy it later or to lease a new instrument from the music shop, which you can buy later.

Skwiix tips

Tip 1

Check the flute pieces for significant scratches, keeping in mind that most used flutes will have some tiny, hair-like scratches.

Tip 2

Check for dents, as these are far more detrimental than scratches. Even the most minor dent can affect your playing of the instrument.

Tip 3

Examine the pads underneath the keys. These are usually coloured and spongy. They should cover the hole underneath and not be excessively dirty or careworn. (Keep in mind that pads can always be replaced, though)

Tip 4

Check to make sure there are no missing parts or keys.

Tip 5

Look inside all the parts and ensure no hidden dents or marks.

Tip 6

Play a few chromatic scales on the flute to ensure all the notes are working correctly and that you like the sound the flute produces. One flute will not play the same for two people.

Tip 7

Attend a flute convention. This a great place to play all the different brands of flutes that are available and get great flute freebies like key paper. Vendors will have flutes on display just for people to play as they walk around the convention.

Tip 8

Decide what metal you want in your flute. The quality of the metal will affect the tone a lot. Most beginning flutes are nickel or silver-plated nickel. Pure silver (sterling silver) is the next quality. A pure silver head joint or full flute is ideal if you are purchasing an intermediate flute. Next is the option of rose gold, which can run about the cost of a car, and there are even platinum or titanium flutes!

The most important part of the flute is the head joint, so if you cannot afford the body and foot joint in a pricier metal, buy just the head joint.
Watch out for gold-plated lip plates. They don't affect the tone at all and are just for looks. However, a better quality riser, the short "chimney" that attaches the lip plate to the head joint, does improve tone

Tip 9

Consider the many options you have for the keys of your flute. These things often take experience to gain a preference.

Open-hole keys are recommended for advanced or intermediate players, not beginners. Openings in the keys allow the air to go through when uncovered, leading to a fuller, more resonant tone. The open holes also create less air resistance, making it easier to play notes. Switching from closed holes will require adjustment because you must cover the holes perfectly with your fingers for the note to sound correct. Start with plugs in the keys that are hardest to reach, so you can play usually, and work at playing without the plugs while you practice.
Inline G key: This is a matter of personal preference and won't affect the tone. An inline G key means one key will be harder to reach (see the image to the right). If you have small hands or are used to playing with an offset G key, it is acceptable to stick with that. The main reason an inline G key is preferred is for the pleasing look of the keys.
B foot: You can buy a foot joint with a few extra keys that enables you to play one chromatic step lower than usual (a B). This a good idea for intermediate or above players because they will probably come across the note in their flute literature.
Gizmo key: This key will usually be included in a B foot, making it easier to play high C or C# (5+ ledger lines).
Split E Mechanism: A split E mechanism divides the action of the upper and lower G keys. Typically the G keys close together; in a split E mechanism, that is still true, but the lower G can close when the third octave E natural is played. This provides ideal tone hole venting for the high E and can improve tuning and tone for a flautist.

Tip 10

Purchase the flute and any needed accessories. You may want a silver-polishing cloth (or other cloth specific to your metal) to remove fingermarks. A swab or flute snake is fun, but you can also use a strip of an old t-shirt and the tuning rod to clean out spit. Pad paper is essential to fix "sticky keys." (They make awful noises.) You can also buy thumb rests for the bottom of the flute to make it more comfortable. Try jazzing up your flute case with fun stickers or key chains. One essential item is to add a name tag to your flute case with contact information in case it gets lost.

Tip 11

Make sure the case is in good condition. Check for dents, scratches, and sticker residue. It should stay firmly closed even after being a bit joggled. Make sure the velvet-like layer has yet to start to separate from the hard layer of the case. You can always purchase a new, universal case for your flute if damaged, but that will be an added expense.

Look for a metal or plastic tuning rod inside the case, which resembles a foot-long needle. This can multi-function as a swab with a piece of cloth and is an essential tool that should come with the flute.

Tip 12

Carry out some research and learn about the particular types of flutes that are considered better by the flute-playing community. You can post your questions on the forum and see what advice/feedback you get.