Holding me back?

[MaYbE.x]

I was recently told by my music teacher that my current instrument (Jupiter Standers Model) is holding my pack. She said that she would like to see me upgrade to an intermediate or pro.
The problem is, that I don't know what to get. I can't trust the local dealer. When I bought my Jupiter, he claimed that it was an amazing flute, that would get me through university, and that it had amazing tone quality. Soon after purchasing, I found this was far from true.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
I'm somewhat financially limited at the moment.

[flutepicc06]

If you can provide a general idea of your budget, as well as any specs you might like, we can provide a list of makers who produce flutes in that range. We'll need a bit more information to be able to help, though.

[sidekicker]

Flutepicc is right; budget is a vital thing with regard to what advice we can give you here.

I don't know where you are geographically, but if you are anywhere near New Mexico, or are able to get there in August of this year, then you might consider attending the National Flute Association convention (in Albuquerque). Virtually every flutemaker will be there with many different flutes from the lines they carry and you can try them out for yourself. This is a great way to play on many different flutes and headjoints. It's often hard to hear in the exhibit hall with so many people playing; however, most of the flutemakers will arrange a private session with you (normally in the evening) so that you can have a better opportunity to playtest their line.

But you first need to decide on how much you are willing to spend on a new flute. Then the people here can give you more specific info on quality flutes fitting into that category.

SK

[MaYbE.x]

I don't need much realy...
I need open hole.
I need the low B.
I need a silver lip plate (Anything else gives me that green line on my lip...)
I need an inline G (mine is out of line, and I'm always putting my finger up too high on the key...)
And I'm on a tight buget. I don't think I could go up much higher then $2000...

^I didn't plan on being in that area, but I might have to go out of my way to get there. I live near Toronto though, so it might be a problem...
Thank you. =]

[atoriphile]

I don't need much realy...
I need open hole.
I need the low B.
I need a silver lip plate (Anything else gives me that green line on my lip...)
I need an inline G (mine is out of line, and I'm always putting my finger up too high on the key...)
And I'm on a tight buget. I don't think I could go up much higher then $2000...

^I didn't plan on being in that area, but I might have to go out of my way to get there. I live near Toronto though, so it might be a problem...
Thank you. =]

That's actually quite a few needs! Why do you need open hole or the low B? Because your teacher told you so?

Do you plan on playing flute in college (or are you in college now?). Will you be a performance major or do you plan on performing professionally?

By the way, I wouldn't consider $2000 a "tight budget". I've never spent more that $1700 on my flutes!

My recommendation is to try all the flutes in your price range and pick the one that works best for you.

[fluttiegurl]

With your budget, you should be able to get a nice flutes that fits your wants/needs quite well. For starters, you could look at Flute World's web site to get an idea of what is available and the general prices (keep in min dthat there are other flutes out there).

Words of advice: Don't let anyone sell you something that you don't like, play as many as possible, and have fun with it!

[flutepicc06]

I need open hole.

Are you planning to play a lot of contemporary literature? If not, you don't need open holes. There are plenty of rumors floating around that open holes help tone or projection or response, but none of them are true. Open holes are good only for extended effects (glisses, bends, and the like), pitch shading, and they aid in the production of some notes in the fourth octave....Nothing more. Most players will never use the open holes in their flutes, and of the few that do, most will only use them for some inital experimentation, and then decide to stick to more traditional music. If you buy in the US, odds are a flute in the 2k price range will have open holes, but the odds are also good that you'll never need them. Plenty of professional flutists play with a Plateau flute, or plug one or more of the holes in their open hole flute.

I need the low B.

Once again, are you planning to play a lot of modern orchestral/chamber music? There are very few pieces that use the Low B (some 80 pieces at last count, though admittedly the number is growing), mostly orchestral or chamber works. One discussion between professional flutists that I read a while back indicated that they played a Low B perhaps once every 3 or 4 years (if that). Odds are you don't actually NEED the Low B, but any flute you buy in the price range you're looking at most likely will have a B foot. The B foot and French style keys probably are not worth worrying about if you find a flute you like that does not match your list of wants.

Sidekicker gave a good suggestion...If at all possible, do try to get to Albuquerque. If that's impossible, look out for flute fairs in your area, as they will often have flutes you can try out at these kinds of events. As for makes to look into, take a look at:

Yamaha
Pearl
Muramatsu
Azumi
Amadeus
Brio
Gemeinhardt
Emerson
Sonare
Trevor James
DiMedici

[kflutist]

So theoretically if the flutist were just looking to play traditional music and was able to produce an excellent sound the flutist could play professionally on what most would consider (construction material not considered) a student flute?

I'm sure that there are other factors that I haven't taken into consideration. It just kind of blows my mind and gives me hope. I like my plateau flute

[fluteguy18]

Theoretically speaking, yes it is quite possible. My flute professor played with a smaller orchestra in Mexico, and while she was there she met a principle player of a major latin american orchestra who preferred to play a gemeinhardt 2sp. She thought he was a very competant principle player, and always uses that story in regards to someone who either doesnt want to upgrade, or is feeling self conscious about their instrument.

So, while it is definately possible to do very well with a student model instrument, most individuals will improve much faster with a higher grade instrument

[flutepicc06]

So theoretically if the flutist were just looking to play traditional music and was able to produce an excellent sound the flutist could play professionally on what most would consider (construction material not considered) a student flute?

I'm sure that there are other factors that I haven't taken into consideration. It just kind of blows my mind and gives me hope. I like my plateau flute

There are other (far more important) factors that separate a professional flute from a student flute than whether or not is open holed and has a B foot. Design and craftsmanship are the main factors. Pro flutes are better designed, and the top-of-the-line models are completely handmade from top to bottom. This makes a massive difference in how the instrument plays. Professionals exist as in all different forms, and if you're making money playing, technically you're a pro. Some (mainly doublers) could potentially get away with using a student flute, but you're probably not going to find a principal in a major orchestra, a soloist, or a chamber musician performing on anything less than a handmade professional instrument. Handmade does not preclude plateau models or those with C footjoints....They certainly exist. What APPEARS to be a student flute at first glance, may actually be BUILT like a professional flute, and how it's built is what matters.

[MaYbE.x]

I need open hole.

Are you planning to play a lot of contemporary literature? If not, you don't need open holes. There are plenty of rumors floating around that open holes help tone or projection or response, but none of them are true. Open holes are good only for extended effects (glisses, bends, and the like), pitch shading, and they aid in the production of some notes in the fourth octave....Nothing more. Most players will never use the open holes in their flutes, and of the few that do, most will only use them for some inital experimentation, and then decide to stick to more traditional music. If you buy in the US, odds are a flute in the 2k price range will have open holes, but the odds are also good that you'll never need them. Plenty of professional flutists play with a Plateau flute, or plug one or more of the holes in their open hole flute.

I need the low B.

Once again, are you planning to play a lot of modern orchestral/chamber music? There are very few pieces that use the Low B (some 80 pieces at last count, though admittedly the number is growing), mostly orchestral or chamber works. One discussion between professional flutists that I read a while back indicated that they played a Low B perhaps once every 3 or 4 years (if that). Odds are you don't actually NEED the Low B, but any flute you buy in the price range you're looking at most likely will have a B foot. The B foot and French style keys probably are not worth worrying about if you find a flute you like that does not match your list of wants.

I'm not sure. These are just the things that my music teacher said I should be looking at. I've also started to see low Bs in one my peices. I indend on going to university for musical performance as well.

Sidekicker gave a good suggestion...If at all possible, do try to get to Albuquerque. If that's impossible, look out for flute fairs in your area, as they will often have flutes you can try out at these kinds of events. As for makes to look into, take a look at:

Yamaha
Pearl
Muramatsu
Azumi
Amadeus
Brio
Gemeinhardt
Emerson
Sonare
Trevor James
DiMedici

Thank you. =]

[Serpentine]

In reply to what flutepicc said about open holes, (i personally prefer and play on a closed hole... but) Open holed flutes are also very good for training to get perfect or a better finger position.

[flutepicc06]

In reply to what flutepicc said about open holes, (i personally prefer and play on a closed hole... but) Open holed flutes are also very good for training to get perfect or a better finger position.

Unfortunately, that's not an accurate statement. Everyone's hands are different and their fingers will need to be in a different place on the keys for the relaxed and natural hand position that will help prevent injuries and allow good technique. If your fingers are too long, you may find that you have to arch your fingers more to seal the holes, which will increase tension in the hands, and slow technique. If your fingers are too short, you may have difficulty reaching the holes at all, and stretching to reach them can have the same negative results. There is no way a mass manufacturer is going to know what shape and size YOUR hands are, so they're going to build the flute however they want. Some custom flute builders will adjust how the instrument is built to fit your hands, but this type of flute is far outside the price range we're discussing here. The idea that your fingers are in a "perfect" position when they're in the center of the keys is, quite frankly, ridiculous.

[remnantpark]

I'd also like to ask:

It's better to get a good crafted headjoint rather than focusing on the flute's material (nickel, silver, etc)?

[flutepicc06]

I'd also like to ask:

It's better to get a good crafted headjoint rather than focusing on the flute's material (nickel, silver, etc)?

The design and craftsmanship is far more important than the material, for the most part. In this case, Maybe.x has a reason why (s)he needs at least a silver lip plate, but for most players, there's no concern like that to worry about. Material may have a very slight influence on the head (my opinion is that the influence is far more apparent to the player than the listener), but if you have a poorly designed headjoint, even if it's made of 18 karat gold, it will play terribly. So yes, it's far more important to get a well made head than to pay for a precious metal tube.