Best flute to purchase and instruction for a child

CMI · Post by **CMI** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:27 pm

Hello!

My young son 8 yrs almost 9 is interested in learning to play the flute. He took piano classes for 3 yrs. before stopping as he was no longer interested (I probably started him too early). Well now he is interested in the flute. He is musically inclined. Wondering what your experience may be in purchasing the right flute for him. Should i rent or purchase. I'd hate to spend $600 and find out he doesn't like it. Any suggestions. He's a pretty dedicated kid so I am willing to let him try (maybe one day he will find an instrument he really likes). Thank you in advance.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:17 am

Check this out.

viewtopic.php?t=2411

CMI · Post by **CMI** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:25 am

Thank you very much!

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Tue May 05, 2009 4:31 pm

Another thing to consider is the size of your child. At 8 or 9 years old, the fingers may not be long enough to easily reach all of the keys. Unlike stringed instruments, wind instruments are not available in smaller sizes.

In most schools, this is the reason band instrument instruction is not offered until the 5th or 6th grade. If your child is large for his age, the finger reach may not be an issue, but I suggest consulting with a teacher or a good music store before committing to buy or rent an instrument. If he can't easily reach the keys, he'll get frustrated very quickly.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue May 05, 2009 4:57 pm

On the issue for small children, they do make curved headjoints for players with a shorter reach. I have started students on these. Though the intonation is not always spot on, it is a good starter for a young player. My biggest concern when starting younger students is comprehension and coordination. I have a couple of simple tests that I give. If they pass, I take them. If not, I recommend waiting a year then coming back. So far, I have started seven 9 year olds, all with great success. They are all but one playing now (she is now out of school and chose another path in life). Three have used the curved head flutes and moved gradually to straight heads as they grew.