Hypothetically...which flute?

Ali P · Post by **Ali P** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:27 pm

I've been looking - the Odyssey is still giving me problems - and I quite like:

Trevor James TJ10X II

Jupiter 511E-II (quite like the idea of the curved head as my arms are very short!)

Yamaha 311

Which one would you get?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:28 pm

Well, I wouldn't go for the 300 series Yamaha. I like Yamahas quite a lot (especially for beginners), but the 300s use the same heads as the 200's (except in silver) and the open holes, B foot, and additional silver serve no purpose to flutists at the level they're marketed to (intermediate players and beginners), so the 300's play pretty much identically to the 200 series, but with an inflated price tag. If you want a Yamaha (and I would definitely encourage you to try Yammies out), go for either a 200 series or a 500 (or higher) series. At the 500 level, the standard head switches from the CY cut to the EC cut, so there is a noticeable difference between 500's and 200's that simply isn't there with the 300's and 400's.

Now, curved heads are intended mainly for very small folks (mostly very young children), and certainly can help those with a limited reach, but IMO, they also compromise the sound (same goes for curved heads on altos), so if you can handle a straight head, I would choose one of these. Only if it's an uncomfortable stretch to play the average flute, would I recommend that you consider a curved head.

As for the Trevor James, they build good flutes, but I prefer their harmony flutes to their C flutes, so if I were buying for myself, I wouldn't choose one of these. However, if they work well for you, then they are well built and should last you a good while.

There are many other flutes in the same price range (Emerson, Pearl, Gemeinhardt, Amadeus, Brio, Azumi, Sonare, DiMedici, etc.), so take a look at these as well. In the long run, it doesn't matter a stitch which flute any of us would pick. You have to be comfortable with whatever you purchase, so playtest anything and everything that fits into your budget and see what you like best. Good luck to you!

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:46 pm

[/quote]
There are many other flutes in the same price range (Emerson, Pearl, Gemeinhardt, Amadeus, Brio, Azumi, Sonare, DiMedici, etc.), so take a look at these as well.[/quote]

and Armstrong, Lyric , and probably several more....

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:14 pm

I agree with flutepicc06 aboout curved headjoints, and have found that they can compromise the sound. I only recommend them for small children, which I rarely take as students. The position that you play the flute in is awkward at first, but over time, you do get used to it. Correct hand position makes a big difference as well.

All of the flutes mentioned here are good instruments. Try as many as you can before making a decission. Also, have you had your flute looked at by a tech? It is very possible that the one you have can be made to play well enough to get you started.