Most Dependable Flute Brand

justanotherpiper · Post by **justanotherpiper** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 5:16 pm

Lately, I have been looking on the internet
at various brands of flutes, but I''ve decided that the "pretty pictures" of
the flutes just aren''t enough to convince me to lean toward a special brand.
I want testimonials. Is there a flute brand that you have found especially
dependable over the years? I have an Emerson student flute, and it has been
fairly dependable, but now I want an intermediate flute, and one that will last
me a long while. Any thoughts on the dependability of flutes is greatly
appreciated. Thanks!

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 6:32 pm

Hi, As far as an intermediate flutes I can
only say I have personal experience with the Gemienhardt. As I have said in
other posts here, we had good luck with a student model but the intermediate one
that we bought last year is not what I would call dependable. I will be
purchasing a new flute in the next couple of months and as of right now with the
research that I have done it will either be a Yamaha, Muramatsu or Miyazawa. I
think it is wise that you are researching before your purchase. I wish I had
researched a bit better. Kim

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 6:51 pm

so far, i think that yamahas are very
reliable, and they aren't too expensive, assuming that you kant afford a
muramatsu or miyazawa, especially cuz your buying an intermediate flute, not a
professional one that you will probably use for the rest of your flute career...
ive heard pearls are good too[;)]

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 7:00 pm

How good you are and how thick your wallet
is determines what flute you should buy. Since you didn't inform us of either
my best guess is you should stay with what you have as long as it works and you
should continue to improve your play. If your wallet is too think to fit in your
pocket, the better brands are Muramatsu, Altus, Powell, Haynes, Miyazawa and a
couple dozen smaller companies. prices go from about $2,800 to $28,000 or more.
Steer clear of Gemeinhardt, Pearly, Armstrong, Emerson, etc if you are looking
in the upper price range. Yamaha has competitive flutes in the upper range but
probably should not be the first ones you test.

justanotherpiper · Post by **justanotherpiper** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 9:29 am

It's not that I just want to upgrade just
for the fun of it. I mean, sure, it's nice to get a new flute, but I have a
reason. I'm beyond my student flute. Some notes aren't even coming out like
they used to, and I just keep thinking that my flute (as much as I love it) is
holding me back. My price range is $1,500 and below. I'm not really plentiful
with money right now, but I do need a reliable flute (and soon!!! I have a major
audition in about a month) that will last me a VERY long time. [8)]

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:48 am

My suggestion would be to take 600 of your
1500 and buy a Yamaha 361 or 371, and put the other 900 into savings for an even
better one in a couple years. Not much of a difference between a 300 series
Yamaha to my ear and more expensive flutes until you get to the over 2000
beginner pro flutes from Muramatsu, Altus and the like If you can't get all the
sound you need from a step up Yamaha you need to have a teacher check your
techical skills. But its your ear that counts so play test a few brands. For
intermediate players they are easily fooled by the mood they are in or the sales
person or how well they played rather than the flute itself. Its important that
you have a positive opinion of your flute, even if it isn't purple.