Brand New To Flute....Looking for some Flute Buddies!

NewFlutePlayer · Post by **NewFlutePlayer** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 3:20 am

Hello! I am new to
this board and new to the flute. I am 21 years old. *hope that is not to late to
learn!* I played Clarinet in High School Concert and Marching Band and played
Saxophone in Jazz Band. But i''ve always wanted to learn to play the flute to.
I got a flute on EBAY. A Bestler. I know. Big no no i''ve read. lol. But it
was cheap and for the price I couldn''t resist. If it will just last me long
enough to learn the basics thats all I want it for. Then I plan on purchasing a
Gemeinhardt 2SP. I''ve seen that that is a good choice. I am also open to any
opinions you all may have for a better choice other than the Gemeinhardt 2SP. I
would like a flute I could use all the way up to an Intermediate level when I do
purchase again. Like I said I was a clarinet player in high school so I am
clueless to excellent flute brands. I had a buffet clarinet which is a highly
reguarded Clarinet but I have heard that their flutes are not as high quality as
their clarinets. I''d love to meet you all! Please drop me a line at
roomtobreathe@cox-internet.com Later! Marcia

MattMom · Post by **MattMom** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 7:11 pm

Too late to
learn???? Find the post on Middle age wannabees. You're a baby! (just kidding).
Seriously, although US society perpetuates achieving things at an early age,
music is very different in my opinion. Yes, there are child prodigies, no doubt,
but I think you bring something very different to your music as you age. (I'd
love to hear others opinions on that one!) So go ahead, you'll have fun. The
fingerings will be easy because they are similar to clarinet. As far as the
flute goes, consider what kind of music you like to play, and where you want to
play it. If you live near a dealer where you can try a number of different
brands, that would be the best. You have to pick what sounds right to you. I
don't remember what Gemeinhardts go for. The Pearl Quantz series has recently
come down in price, and the Powell Sonares are also very reasonable. They will
each give you very different sounds. I worked with the folks at Fluteworld
(www.fluteworld.com - Barb and Brenda) and they were very helpful describing the
tone and characteristics of each flute. You can also email the folks at
flutesmith.com, and they will help you with your selection. Additional note:
DON'T check ebay after you make your purchase - invariable, the flute you
wanted, but couldn't afford will suddenly be available for sale at a ridiculous
price!

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 10:02 pm

The problem is
not just how long it will last but if it will play at all. You may think you are
doing things wrong but in fact its just the flute is no good. You really need a
teacher to tell you if your mistakes are you or the flute. Not the easiest way
to learn. 2SP isnt a bad place to start, run under 200 on ebay. But its not an
instrument to step up to. My difference of opinion with MattMom is that
beginners and almost all intermediates really don't know what they want in a
flute or which one to pick when they demo one. Until then you have to trust
others. Anyway I am sure you can find many opinions in different threads. Good
luck learning flute and enjoy yourself.

MattMom · Post by **MattMom** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 11:08 pm

Penny, You are
right - I am making an assumption. Here was my thought process: If Marcia has
experience in Clarinet and Sax, she may know what type of music she is most
interested in playing. For instance, do you play folk music or Jazz? Early music
or late classical/romance? So while you might not know which flute has the
specific tonal quality you are looking for, if you know what you want to play,
you can then rely on the experts to help you out.

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 5:03 pm

OK I see your
point. I was speaking more in general terms. Her clarinet experience may make
her an exception but then again she bought a Besler so it doesn't show her
previous music exp has helped her so far. No offense. I hope it works well
enough for you until you decide if you really want to continue with the flute. I
just hate to see people buy junk because they think they will save money and in
the long run it costs them way more, in time and money and possibly missed
opportunity

NewFlutePlayer · Post by **NewFlutePlayer** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 8:26 pm

I most DEFINITELY
beg your PARDON? In reference to Her Clarinet experience may make her an
exception but then again she bought a Besler so it doesn't show her previous
music exp has helped her so far. For your information, yes I HAVE read the
information on Bestler Flutes. I know it is NOT a good manufactuer that with
time will be damaged and I won't be able to get it repaired. I knew all this
PRIOR to my purchase.! But as of right now it suits me well. I'm not a
performer, i'm not in a band. All I needed was something to help me start
learning basics such as the fingerings for the flute, breath support, etc. I
didn't pay hardly anything for it and right now it suits my purpose well.! As I
stated I planned on getting a Geirnhardt or a Yamaha at a later date once I
learn the basics. Unlike some, i'm having to SAVE money to get that Top of the
line flute. I can't just go right out and buy one.Until then for no more money
then it costs I figured a Bestler would suit me well being a Total Beginner
while I learned the basics. My clarinet is a different story. I am a
professional clarinetist. Therefore a Bestler would never suit me. I have a
Buffet R13. A top of the Line Clarinet. If I was a intermediate to advanced
flute player I could understand your arguement but i'm not.! I am just now even
beginning to learn! That you would insult my music Knowledge based on a flute
that I purchased is just ridiculous.

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 7:02 am

It was not an
insult. Lack of knowledge and making a bad decision because of it, is just a
mistake. We cant all be well informed. The way you speak of moving to beginner
instrument and the fact you seem to ignore that repair problems aren't the only
ones your decision will cause show a lack of understanding of musical
instruments. It also shows that you believe it isn't important to have an
instrument that plays well for a beginner, again incorrect. No one was speaking
about you buying a $30,000 flute to learn with. Just a $200 instrument that you
could rely on to deliver an adequate indication of your efforts, so you could
progress. I am very sorry you felt insulted. But it certainly was not an insult
and definetly not meant as one. Congrats on being a professional clarinet
player. I hope you are enjoying that. Good luck with your flute playing and your
Bessler, I hope you get lucky with it.

MattMom · Post by **MattMom** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 9:28 pm

I wasn't sure
whether to start a new post, or to hijack this one...but here goes: Shouldn't
we all agree that what makes a good flute is somewhat a matter of opinion? In an
earlier posting, it was written essentially that professionals don't play Pearl
flutes. Yet in another posting, people were hailing the Rhonda Larson 'Distant
Mirrors' CD. Guess what? Quoting directly from her website "Rhonda has
continued to play the Japanese made PEARL flute for eighteen years." My point is
NOT to endorse any particular brand of flute, but to say that perhaps we
shouldn't slam another's choice in instrument. I played on an Armstrong 104
nickel flute for years. I was too uninformed to realize that it was supposed to
be garbage, and played my heart out (I'm not being sarcastic here - I swear, I
thought it was a sterling flute until I sent the serial number to Armstrong. My
mom bought it for me when I was 10, and told me it was a really good flute. I
didn't question it until I was 43!). On the other hand, very serious musicians
told me I had beautiful tone, so the flute couldn't have been THAT bad. Yes, it
had some serious technical problems, which was why I recently purchased a new
flute. Here's where the hijack comes in....How much does an individual's
playing style (embouchure, musical interpretation, etc.,) play in bringing a
particular flute to life? Every manufacturer has their own style, and I wonder
if a match in style brings out the best in the instrument? Penny, please don't
take this as a slam - I'm just offering a counter opinion. Marcia, Nice
clarinet! I am sure you'll pick a great flute. It's just that the choices are
overwhelming!

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 11:04 am

Marcia~ Hi and
welcome to the message board. No, 21 is not to late to learn to play the flute

I will be 40 in a couple of months and just picked it up after many years of
not playing and in some ways it is like just starting all over. As far as flute
choice...that is a individual decision. I say that the Bestler that you picked
up is fine for the time being and as you learn you will decide and realize more
of what you want in a flute when the time does come for a better one. As far as
my opinion goes...my daughter and I have been happy with her Gemienhardts up
until recently. Her student closed hole model was wonderful with no complaints
whatsoever. Her open hole which we purchased last February has recently had some
problems with sluggish mechanisms and I think a pad needs to be replaced which
should not be happening to a flute that isn't even a year old yet. There is
talk that Gemienhardt makes a good student flute but a not so good intermediate
flute and I am experiencing that 1st hand now. I play a Yamaha student flute
that is about 9 years old and it plays great. It has never been in the repair
shop and really only needs to go in for a cleaning. As far as what my daughters
next flute will be we are still researching that. I can say it will probably be
a Yamaha, Altus or Maramatsu from our research so far. Are you taking private
lessons ? If not pick up a method book to get yourself started. Also try to find
some easy fun solos that you would enjoy learning. Having something fun to play
helps keep your enthusiasm up and helps to make learning a bit more fun. You
have an advantage since you already play the clarinet because you can read music
and you probably have styles of music that you already know that you enjoy. Kim

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 11:15 am

We loved the
Muramatsu and will be buying one as soon as my lottery numbers come in. This
world is for the young, but 21 is still young. In most competitive situations
whether they are music or sports you need to be pretty good before you get to
puberty if you hope to be great. However that doesn't mean there arent
exceptions. And it certainly doesn't mean you can't become an excellent player
and get great enjoyment no matter what age you start or return to your
instrument.

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 11:16 am

Marcia~ I just
want to tell you to try to take some peoples comments with a grain of salt. I
too have had issues with a certain poster here and she knows it. Obtain your
information here from people that actually play the flute and you will be fine.
Once you have been here long enough you will learn what information is opinion
and what is actual experience. I think you will do great with the flute and as I
said above your clarinet experience will be a big help. Oh I forgot to mention
above that it is sometimes recommended for a begining flute player to work with
just the headjoint and a mirror until they can get a good clear tone. Then put
the rest of the flute together and try some fingerings. Oh and if you can find a
method book that come with CD's that can also be helpful. The method book that
my daughters band uses is put out by Hal Leonard and you can even go to their
website to use their tracks to play along with the book for free. Kim

NewFlutePlayer · Post by **NewFlutePlayer** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 12:02 am

Thanks
Fluteluversmom.! Glad to see someone doesn't think i'm totally stupid for
purchasing a Bestler. I know its not the best but it works just fine for me
right now while i'm learning. and when it comes time to get another i'll cross
that road and find me a good sound quality flute. Anyway in response to your
question. Right now I am just kind of teaching myself. I am supposed to start
Flute lessons the beginning of February. I would in January but I will be gone
to New York on a trip the whole month of January. I've purchased some books
online but I haven't recieved them yet. Anyway. I will catch you all later.!
Good night![:)]

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 3:40 pm

I agree wth
flutelovers mom and newflutist I also made the same decision you did and I
played for a few years and Im going to boston to get a new flute soon.

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 10:51 am

Obtain your
information here from people that actually play the flute and you will be fine.
I must remember that next time I visit the doctor and tell him I will only take
medicine from someone that actually has the illness not someone that studied and
knows all about it. I rarely voice opinions on technical issues about playing.
If I do it is after asking my daughter who is a pretty fine player and usually a
teacher as well. When it comes to other issues such as comparing one instrument
to another I dare say I have more knowledge from spending far more time learning
than most professional flute players. Certainly sufficient knowledge to give an
opinion. I know it was taken as offense that I told a "professional" clarinet
player that they made a poor judgement in their flute buying and future buying
intentions. But anyone with any solid knowledge would agree with what I said. No
one wants a student who is trying to learn on an inferior instrument that cannot
be dependend upon to play in tune or respond to proper technique in the proper
way. Sorry that people let their ego get in the way when they find out they made
a mistake. Its one thing when its a poor flute or nothing decision. Its another
when the difference in price is affordable and the bad decision is just because
of lack of knowledge. That is why this board is here to help people avoid
mistakes by sharing information.

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 12:02 pm

Penny~ I think
where the problem comes in here is that Marcia did not ask for opinions on the
flute that she purchased. She clearly stated that she knew it wasn't the best
flute that she could have purchased. But you felt the need to give her your
opinion on the flute that she purchased anyways. You and I have discussed issues
pertaining to Gemienhardts, inline vs offset and now this issue. I guess I
don't understand the need you have to make an issue of someone elses choices
that they have already made. If a person comes and asks for an opinion before a
purchase that is one thing..yes you could save them from making a mistake. But
if someone has already purchased a flute and whether you have an opinion of the
brand, the features etc why the need to prove to the person that they have made
a mistake ? Many of the posters here are Jr High and High School students and
they get the flute that their parents purchase for them and they might not have
the option of a "better" flute but they are proud of the flute that they have.
They will work hard at practicing and obtain a love of music and playing the
flute only to have someone here tell them that their flute will probably not
play or not play well. They already have the flute..why tell them that the split
E or inline G or brand was a mistake ? If you just purchased a new Cadillac but
your neighbor comes to you and tells you that they just purchased a 1975 Chevy
would you feel the need to tell them that it is only going to break down and
that they are going to have tons of problems? It would be different if they came
to you before they made the purchase and asked for your opinion. Your daughter
certainly has tested a lot of flutes/headjoints in her 2+ years of playing. I
have never heard of another 7th grader that has tested so many flutes !! My
daughter also sits 1st chair in her band and I have also been told that she
holds tremendous potential with her flute playing but ya know what...someone
could come along next year and play a flute that I consider junk and play
circles around my daughter and she knows that !!!!! This is not a debate board.
People do come here for opinions and we should all feel free to give our
opinion...but only if the person asked for opinions. It is not always "what" a
person says it is often "how" a person says it. Kim