Upgrading from Armstrong 55B - $5K budget - advice?

[Mamapicklejuice]

Hi all - first post here!

I have lots of questions brewing re practice methods, repertoire, technique and so forth, but of course, my first post has to be...what flute should I buy next? (so original! lol)

I have played the flute for 25+ years (started as a kid, played through college, l-o-o-o-o-n-g break and now playing in various chamber music ensembles...LOVE). I take weekly lessons, play occasionally for my church service and as mentioned, perform with local (amateur) chamber groups. The current group is working on Brandenburg's Concerto No. 4 (I am playing second flute). For solos, I am working on Telemann's 12 Fantasias and C.P.E. Bach's Sonata in a minor (blast from the past, as I played it 20 years ago last).

I am currently playing on an Armstrong 55 (Heritage II?) open holed flute, which I had completely overhauled last year (after a 15 year or so period of abandonment!). The improvements in sound and playability were almost immediate (still needed to get embouchure in shape, of course) but now after playing it solidly for a year, I still feel like I'm fighting it in certain aspects, despite being able to produce a rich, full tone, particularly in the lower and mid registers. I struggle occasionally with split notes, noisy action, and a high E that is never in tune. I daresay quite a few issues are all ME vs an instrument fault, but I am also aware that the Armstrong 55 has its limitations, and can't help wondering if some of my work and effort is falling to the wayside because of it.

Anyway, that's the story, and I'm sticking to it! Any thoughts for me? I am practically next door to the Powell factory, so it seems an obvious choice to at least try (model?), but I have not been in the flute game for some time, so I don't know what else is out there that is a fab buy within my budget. I am happy to order and try anything. Then there's the whole issue of different headjoints, which I never even considered when I originally upgraded from my student Artley flute to my current Armstrong.

[Kaylyn]

I have an old Sankyo Silver Sonic which is now the Sankyo 301 and I really love it. Solid silver head, body, and foot, plated mechanism. That one new I believe is $5800 but you can get some great deals if you're willing to go used. I upgraded from a Yamaha 481.

I think Fluteworld.com is pretty good about sending flutes out on trial for you as well if you want to buy new.

Sorry I don't have more for you; that's my limited help! Good luck!

[jim22]

I am in much the same situation as you. My flute from high school was a DeFord. I upgraded to an Amadeus, the Telemann fantasias are a goof. I have recorded and posted them on 8notes.com. Now I'm learning clarinet, which is proving to be very challenging. Good luck! -- jim