Flute Review
Reviewing flutes for the beginning and intermediate flutist
Whether a beginning flute player or a professional orchestra player you need a flute to play with. Picking the right flute or piccolo isn't always easy though. Which model and make you're going to choose depends on several key factors:
- Budget
- Skill Level
- Playing Style
- Personal Preference
Let's start with budget first. If you're a beginning flutist (or more likely the parent of one) you may be surprised to learn that even the cheaper beginner student flutes will start at around $400. This would be for a new flute - it's cheaper to buy second hand or rent, but those options come with pitfalls as well. It's not easy for a layman to evaluate a used flute, so you could end up with an instrument that is not easy to master or simply isn't a good fit. Figuring out how much you are looking to spend on a flute will help you narrow down your choices greatly.
Skill level. It matters if you're a beginner, intermediate or professional flute player. Different flute makers have different specialties, and some makers who manufacture great beginners and intermediate flutes may not have the widest options for the pro level.
Your playing style and personal preferences come into play when you have to make your final selection. Since this is highly subjective it's hard to give advice here, but we recommend that you try to play a few different flutes before committing to buy one. If you are fortunate enough to be able to borrow a flute for a period of time you are more likely to come to an informed purchasing decision, rather than relying on written information.
At the very least make sure to get a feel for a flute you intend to purchase by finding one at a local shop. You are also going to need a local store to be able to service your instrument in the future - flutes are not built to last forever, they need maintenance at regular intervals in order to play well and sound their best.
