Buying a flute

by Jewel
(Kenniwick Wa)

Question: I am looking at buying a flute. I have never played the flute before, but I want to learn. Anyway, what brand of flute should I get? And, what should my price range be? I want a good, but not too expensive flute. Thanks

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Answer: You can get a good student flute starting at around $500. A low-end student flute in this price range will be silver plated, have closed holes, and a C foot joint. Dependable brands are Armstrong, Pearl, Gemeinhardt, Jupiter and Yamaha.

If you want to spend more, you can upgrade to a solid silver head joint or a solid silver flute, open holes, B foot joint, engraving on the embouchure plate, and many more options.

See my page on flute options you can purchase.

If you buy a used flute instead of a new one, you will be able to get more flute for your money, but be sure to have it looked at by a competent repair person before buying it.

Test several flutes before deciding on the one for you. Ask a professional to play your flute before you buy it.

Good luck!