Advice: Buying for a new youngster

[drumkeeran]

Hi -

I have the opportunity to purchase a sample flute from BJs for $90. It's a package that includes a silverplated flute, a carrying case and an instructional DVD.

I know this is a ridiculously cheap flute, but my daughter (turning 9 soon) has an interest in playing and I figure that this may be a good deal for the very first flute.

Experts - please advise

PS - She has wonderfully long fingers, is tall for her age, is a perfectionist who will practice and has been able to whistle since she was six months old. I have no idea whether this info is useful, but thought I might add it.

[flutepicc06]

You should not buy that flute. Flutes like this are cheap junkers that most often literally fall apart and cannot be repaired, not to mention that they often are incredibly difficult to play in tune, and have less than desireable headjoints, which means a lower quality sound/response. Considering the fact that you are sure your daughter will practice, and has a genuine interest in the flute, a quality, name brand instrument seems to be in order. Even a used flute can do the job as long as it's in good condition and well maintained. Look at Yamaha, Emerson, Pearl, Gemeinhardt, Jupiter, or Trevor James flutes. These are more expensive than the flute you are looking at, but are MUCH better quality (and won't cause unnecessary problems that could frustrate your daughter). They can also last her for several years (or even her entire life, depending on what her musical aspirations may be). You might also consider lessons, at least at the very beginning so she can learn the basics, as once a bad habit is learned, it is very difficult to unlearn. The DVD you mentioned might help down this road, but there's no subsitute for good, live instruction.

[fluteguy18]

Absolutely flutepicc. You can also look down the road of renting instruments. Most dealers will rent out main brand instruments in good condition for a very small fee per month. And, a lot of them will add your monthly fee towards a "rent to own" sort of deal. That is how we bought my brother's trumpet. My parents didnt know if he would stick with it, so they did a rent to own program, and he got a pretty nice horn, and they got to pay the price over a very gradual period of time with hardly any interest at all. Some other flutes you can look at are: Armstrong (I have found their headjoints to be rather nice for student and intermediate players because they are very forgiving for sound quality), and Selmer..... although I would be careful with selmer. Their quality seems to have gone down quite a bit since they merged with Conn. But an older Selmer in decent condition should be okay.

[remnantpark]

Do not buy that flute. Trust me, these flutes will be hard to put in tune and difficult to fix. I had a friend who was poor and bought a cheap flute online without even a brand name! Her flute was always way outta tune and it's just horrible, etc etc.

[flutepicc06]

Do not buy that flute. Trust me, these flutes will be hard to put in tune and difficult to fix. I had a friend who was poor and bought a cheap flute online without even a brand name! Her flute was always way outta tune and it's just horrible, etc etc.

The flute will always be out of tune. You can pay $20,000 and you'll still have to adjust. No flute is in tune naturally, as no scale (size and placement of toneholes) is perfect, but a good player can play it in tune. The scale on these cheap instruments often is very poorly constructed, though, which makes it more difficult than it should be to play at the proper pitch.

[drumkeeran]

Thank you all for your sound advice. I also appreciate the lines of "bad habits learned are hard to unlearn."

I treat this more like a rough diamond situation and spend more for the reward it might bring in the future

[MeLizzard]

Absolutely. I've seen too many kids quit too soon because poor equipment convinced them they were incapable of learning or progressing. Buy a quality, reputable used flute, and if a child decides not to continue, the resale value is pretty stable. Of course, it won't have to be resold, will it? Just be positive and encouraging, and act as if playing an instrument is the most natural, expected thing ever, and maybe dropping out out won't even appear as an option.

[mikeh]

I DUNNO SOMETHING GOOD ENOUGH TO LEARN WITH


LOLOL