Which brand of flute is the best?

Question

Since I found out that my Oves flute is a "Piece of Far East Junk"(it came from China) I'm looking to buy a new one. The other reason I'm looking for a new flute is that the trill is too airy. It doesn't sound like a trill. My high Bb sounds like it's leaking. I don't know if it's me or my flute. I just got it back Thursday.

It's been repaired twice. I heard that Jupiter is a good brand, but pricey. Selmer is too. I like Armstrong and I'm thinking about getting a open-holed flute. What are some other good brands?
Also should I get a open-holed flute or a closed hole flute?

I like open hole because it sounds much better than a closed hole. And if I've got plugs for the holes too.

This flute I own now got me into 1st chair, a solo in our concert and a leader in our parades. I feel bad I'm not gonna use it anymore, my Grandma got it for me and I know she'll probably be upset when I tell her that I just can't play this flute anymore.

Answer 1

Your problems are almost positively the flute. I played on a Sky (Piece of Far East Junk) for about a year, and had the same problems. I bought the flute, and was young and stupid at the time, and later learned it was doing me anything BUT good. I then got a Selmer Prelude, which was a nice student flute, but now is doing me nothing. I recently bought an Armstrong Omega professional flute and it is wonderful.



Armstrong is definitely the way to go. Many people will advise against this, but if you have played on one, and liked it, get one. Other good brands are Yamaha, Pearl, Jupiter, Eastman, Trevor James, and a bunch of other high end intermediate and professional models that are incredibly expensive. A lot of people swear by Yamaha. I can't stand them. A brand to avoid is Gemeinhardt. They aren't much better than the far east junk flutes in my opinion.



Most intermediate models, new, are $1000+. You can get really nice used ones for much less though. My Armstrong was $500, new would be over $2000. If you can, go to a music store and test play multiple flutes until you find one you like. You might find one you like better than an Armstrong, for a better price. The people at the store can help you, and will also help set up payment options if you don't have all the money to pay for it right then.



Also, if you are upgrading, definitely get an open hole. Along with a B foot joint with Gizmo key, and off-set G. Split E mechanism is also a plus, that I wish my flute had, cause high E is the only note I have an problems with. Sterling or solid silver headjoints are a plus as well. Some say solid or sterling silver bodies are better too, but I prefer a sterling silver headjoint on a silver plated body.



As for your grandma, I know what it's like. My dad bought me a far east junk Saxophone for Christmas. He was really mad when I told him I wouldn't play it, but it was for a lot of reasons. My dad is weird. If you just explain to your grandma that her intentions were really good, and you love the flute and won't get rid of it, she will understand.



Anyway, hope this was a help. Good luck finding a great flute! And also, congrats on first chair and the solo. (:

Answer 2

Professionals have a long-running argument about whether Haynes or Powel is the better flute, and they play French model (open hole) with the B foot. They are VERY expensive. A step below that, and excellent are flutes by Gemeindhardt.



Other flutes are of varying quality, and include Armstrong and Selmer and even DeFord, which are very nice student models and more reasonably priced. Do NOT get a Bundy -- they are miserable things!



You do not NEED French model, and do not NEED a B foot, and if given a choice between the two I would choose the open holes. However, a really good flute which is closed hole and with the standard foot is much better than one with the extras that is of inferior brand. Lots of decisions to make!



I suggest you keep your current flute, leave it out on the piano or other logical place where Grandma can see it, and get another flute for use. You don't have to tell everything you know, and there is no reason to hurt her feelings!



By the way, I picked up my French model Geneindhardt with B foot at a pawn shop in Chicago for $200 a few years back. You can occasionally find real bargains in musical instruments in pawn shops.