How To Find or Buy a Flute

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How to Find or Buy a Good Flute (1)

How to find or buy a flute is a great question for those beginning or even in the middle of their musical flute lessons journey.

I am thrilled to be able to help you in your musicalΒ endeavor this week!

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Since many sign up with me for lessons before they have a flute, I will give you a quick, non-confusing but thorough overview about finding a flute that will be a good choice for you to begin learning with.

I will show you more than one way to find one, where to look.. and of course how much ($).flute close up

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Where to look to purchase a flute?

* An instrument store

* On the internet

* Ask your family

* Ask your friends

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1. It really is easy and best to find and buy a great flute…

in an INSTRUMENT STORE, especially if the store has its own repair facilities.

Most stores will guarantee the condition of the flute for a period of time. Β 

Many stores have rental programs. Β Renting allows you to try the flute without making such a big financial commitment.

Many stores have rent-to-own programs.

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2. When searching for an affordable flute that is in great condition, the INTERNET can be both a fabulous place to look and also a terrifying one.

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I have used ONLINE CATALOG STORES a lot here in the USA.

They have never done me wrong.

The flutes come in mint condition and their customer service is great. You can check out other online stores as well.

Their prices can’t be beat and they also have a slightly used section, payment plans, etc.

An easy place to look for bargains is E-BAY. Β This is where it gets tricky though because it is so hard to check the condition of the instrument before purchasing.

And, you need to be wary of the ads that show a picture of a clearly beat-up flute and case but they are trying to tell you it plays great. Β 

Many physical and online stores also sell on Ebay with guarantees. Β They are worth checking out.

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Try your local ads like CRAIGSLIST and online directories. Β 

Many times you will find ads from someone who has recently re-found their old flute and has decided to sell it off for some extra cash.

These can be great finds if the flute is still in good condition.

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**NOTE: flutes do not appreciate with time.

The older the instrument, the older the mechanism and pads.

Old is not good as far as flutes go.

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3. Β Ask your FAMILY if anyone happens to have a flute they aren’t using anymore.

You’d be surprised at what people can pull out of their closets. Β 

You can offer to purchase, rent or borrow. Whatever you are comfortable with.

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4. Once you mention to your FRIENDS that you are taking up flute playing, they will probably remember other friends or families who have flutes that are not being used.

This is a very economical way to begin playing the flute.

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BRAND/MAKE

There are so many different brands of flutes that your head will swim when you start looking.

Don’t get caught up in all the hype over the different brands.

There are many that will suffice for a beginner.

Most beginner flutes are made of nickel and have the lovely silver sprayed on as a top-coat.

This is normal for beginner flutes. Β Solid silver ones are very much more expensive and not necessary when starting out.

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If you want my personal preferences, and a quick, direct recommendation- send me an email! You can reach out to me at [email protected].

I have tried hundreds of brands and styles and have definite opinions that are not necessary for the purposes of this article.

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If you find a flute to purchase in a grocery store or a discount-quantity warehouse, my advice is to walk away fast.

Very fast.

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**BIG PURCHASING TIP

If you live in an area where it is possible to speak to a knowledgeable representative about different beginner flutes, do this first before looking at used flutes online.

It will be worth your money to gain a little more knowledge. Β You can then note the brands you are interested in and then go price-shopping online.

I’ll also be teaching you how to check the condition of your flute in another article.Β 

Catch you laters!

P.s. I know that some of you are visual learners- so I’ve attached a video for you to help you when choosing where to purchase your new flute.Β 

Pay attention, and be sure to check out the other videos on my youtube channel such asΒ testing before buying,Β qualities and levels, andΒ old vs new. These will help you through each stage of your flute journey!Β 

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Have any questions? Comment below and I will help you out.

Rebecca FullerRebecca Fuller
Get Flutie with us! Learn and enjoy every musical minute.

48 thoughts on “How To Find or Buy a Flute”

  1. hi rebecca,
    newbie question if i may…
    is there a way to play lower b on a c flute? by that i
    mean with a footjoint that only has a C roller.

    thank you!

    1. Hi Dana, this is a great question. There is no ‘fingering’ that will help you get the low B, exactly.. but, you can get a B by fingering the low C, and then rolling your flute towards you (a lot) until the pitch drops down to the B. You have to drop 1/2 step. Try it, maybe you can do it! I have quite a few students who can do it with no problem. πŸ™‚ ~Rebecca

  2. I got my flute from a friend and it need some polish on it how do i polish it without taking the buttons off or do i have to take them off
    thanks for your help
    Valeria

  3. Me in Cambodia….here most shops not sell flute…..one or two has chinese flute costing 170$ and a one professional told me that it not good.so i not know which to buy.whether on ebay or that one…..oh i saw flute costing around 70$on ebay and have many colors to choose violet green blue….how do u think of that?

    1. RebeccaFuller

      Yes, the Chinese flutes aren’t very high quality, but if that is all you can get, then try to find one with a warrantee. Do your best. This is the best sounding/quality low priced flute I can recommend: http://amzn.to/2qs6r14 It is a Hallelu. Perhaps you can find it? Good luck! ~Rebecca

  4. Hello, Rebecca.
    I was just wondering if you could give me some advise on which flute to buy.
    I’m into two glutes
    1-Axiom Flute Cover
    2-Hallelu HFL 300
    Thanks!
    Musa,Canberra,Australia

    1. Hi Musa, of those two flutes you mention here I have used the Hallelu 300. It is a nice sounding flute, and is a very low price. If it it arrives in great condition and you keep it very well (clean and put away daily) then it will last you. Good choice. πŸ™‚ Rebecca

    1. The Gemeinhardt is considered a ‘band brand’ ~ If it’s in great condition you’ll do just fine. πŸ™‚ Excited for you!

      1. Hi,

        I just joined the site…I’m a percussionist who has always loved the sound of the flute and was just inspired by the flute player that I play with to learn. I have the same 2sp and when he plays it versus me, that’s when you can really tell that it’s the operator and not the flute!! πŸ™‚

        you can see him play at facebook.com/thelawsontrio

        Looking very much forward to learning the flute from this site!!!!!!

        Alex
        Kissimmee, FL

        1. Hey Alex, we’re excited you’re here to learn. The lessons are great and all in progressive order so you can really fly! See you soon. Let me know if you have any questions. ~Rebecca

  5. shankar mondol

    dear Rebecca,
    Thanks for your tutorial. i want to buy a flute but i live in Bangladesh. how can i collect the flute and what types of flutes are suitable for me? Which sharp or closed holes or open holes, i don’t know. The metal flutes are not available in Bangladesh. if you please advise me, then it will be better for me.
    Best regards,
    Shankar Mondol
    Dhaka, Bangladesh

    1. Hi Shankar, I have other students from your area so I know you can get a flute. Make sure it is a silver flute (silver plated nickel is usually what a beginner flute is made of). Many people call them ‘classical flutes’, ‘concert flute’, or ‘western flute’ . Look for a reputable musical instrument store in Bangladesh. Also, consider having one sent to you from out of country. Closed hole is great. (not alto flute or piccolo) Any other questions? I”m here to help. Rebecca

  6. I’m a beginner from India and happens to have wooden flute instead of a metallic one.Can I join the course ?

    1. Hi Robin, I’m so sorry to say that the instruction here will not be relevant past the first few modules. I have had some student from India who start with bansuri and then find a silver flute – they love it. This flute is the most versatile in the world. I hope you do join. Good luck! πŸ™‚ Rebecca

  7. I started to play flute in sixth grade. I played the flute through sixth and ninth grade. I had flute lessons with Ms. Tully for three years. I’m excited to play more music from your lessons. I’m worried about download the Gold Level. I’m looking forward to following your advice.

  8. After a gap 0f 45 years, am enjoying being back with the flute. A semi-professional flute-and-soprano-sax playing friend of mine recommended a Premier flute with a solid silver head joint and silver-plated body and foot. He claimed that this combination would give a better sound which he demonstrated very well. This flute came from http://www.jhs.co.uk under their Odyssey brand Premier range (they also make a basic range called Debut). The model number is OFL 300SHJ and set me back Β£500. The solid silver flutes are, of course, much more expensive as are their alto flutes. So looking forward to following your advice.

    Best wishes

    1. Awesome, Dennis. Yes, the more solid silver the better… but, with that being said, everyone needs to know that the flute will still only play as well as the operator of the instrument’s skill level. I think you’ll do well. That is a great price for a solid silver head. Keep it in great condition and you’ll be fine. Good luck, I am excited to watch/hear you excel. πŸ™‚ Rebecca

  9. Hi Rebecca
    I’m a 70 year old returning flute player. I played Saxophone and flute in a covers/dance band in the 60s and 70s. we played a lot of covers, and soul music (think Otis Redding, Wilson Picket, Sam and Dave etc ) and to make a break from all that, we would play a couple of quietish jazzy numbers, which is where the flute came in.

    Anyway……. I was listening to some flute music lately, and thought I would quite like to play the flute again, so I went off and bought a reconditioned Yama learner flute from the agents here in Auckland, New Zealand, and have been using you lessons to get me restarted. So far it’s going really well (after 30 years !!!), so thanks for your lessons.

    My question is, seeing I got the flute for half price, would a sterling silver head joint ( I’ve found a new Yamaha one for a good price) improve the tone noticeably?

    Warm regards from the South Pacific

    Michael

    1. Hi Michael, welcome welcome to Learn Flute Online. We’re happy to have you (and wish we could join you on vacation in the South Pacific). Returning musicians do very well with this program.
      To answer your question, a solid silver head joint gives a “bigger” sound that will travel farther and have more “depth” to the tone. I always remind everyone that a flute can only play as well as the operator’s skill level. So, keep learning and practicing. You can keep your student model until you feel it doesn’t play as well as you know how to. πŸ™‚ Rebecca

  10. My daughter is 11 and borrowed a very old flute for beginner band last year. Since then we have moved and she wants her own flute. I did what you said about asking around-put a plea out on Facebook actually-and a college student is offering her flute from when she was in high school marching band. It’s a Wisemann DFL-480 and she is asking $100 for it. What do you think? Thanks for responding.

    1. If it’s in good condition, it could be okay…(saying this a little half-heartedly) I actually would be quite leary of any flute that had “survived” high school marching band. Flutes that are played in marching band get rained on, snowed on, sunshined on, winded on, grass, dirt, etc. Can you find out what condition it is in? If I were you, I’d go for a new flute. I’m not sure of your budget – but you should look for the newest one you can (flutes get worse with age). If you’d like models and prices etc. Email me at [email protected] ~ Rebecca

  11. Hi Rebecca. In most(all) of the online videos that I have seen, you use a metallic flute. I have a wooden flute. Does that make any difference?

    1. Hi Aayush, yes this site is all centered around learning the classical flute. There actually is quite a big difference between the silver/metal flute and the wooden or bamboo flute. I hope you can find this flute and join us soon. πŸ™‚ ~ Rebecca

    1. Hi Alissandra, I personally haven’t worked with the JSchmidt brand, but do know that it is a band rental instrument. There are a few levels of instrument qualities – the band rental level is usually pretty low, but If it is in good condition you should be okay for a while. My hope is that you learn to take care of it properly so it will continue to play well for you. It really does make a difference in the life of a flutist. πŸ™‚ ~ Rebecca

  12. Kathleen Cosgrove

    Thank you for this. I am picking the flute up after decades of not playing. I was an adequate player in High School but not as good as I believe I could have been because of blowing technique. I ordered the Pneumo Pro Wind Director Practice Tool and am excited to see the results after some work with it. Also, I have granddaughters now who are 6 and 9 and they are very keen to learn, and this will be a great tool for them too. I will post again to let you and your students know how it goes.

    1. Hi Kathleen, thanks for the update. We are so happy you are here to learn. You’ll love this method! πŸ™‚

  13. My flute is the one that was purchased when I first joined a band – 5th grade in 1956. It is a Reynolds, made in Cleveland, Ohio. I played for about three years. Then it was loaned to several other people.

    Not having played much for 58 years, I still can sight read and play simple melodies. I noticed noise with the C#, and the lowest C is very hard to play; I think springs may need adjusting. The pads still look good though. Tone could be better, but I’m certainly not in shape for playing! I’m going to take it to a fellow who repairs band instruments for an estimate of its condition.

    I am curious to know what advances in flute design have occurred in the last 60 years. I’m not sure I can afford a new one, even a student flute, but I can look around. Thanks for the information.

    1. This is a really great comment/question Lois. Flutes have evolved, but the one you have will still work well for you as long as it is in great shape. The pads are #1 priority as well as the rods and springs. If you find a technician that is really good, you’ll be able to enjoy that flute for a long time. If your technician is more of a “band teacher” type – then you’ll probably never be happy with your flute and its sound. You’ll always wonder if it’s you or your flute. I hope this helps, and I’m happy you are here to learn. I think you can make a trip to an instrument store just to “sample” the flutes. You’ll quickly notice if yours is cutting it or not. πŸ™‚ Rebecca

    1. Hi Christine, the Gemeinhardt brand is really prevalent in places that sell to jr high bands. There are many higher quality brands, but if it is in great condition and kept that way you’ll play just fine on it. πŸ™‚ Good luck!

      1. Awesome Beverly! We’re so glad to have you here learning. You’ll do really well. Good luck, and have fun! ~ Rebecca

    1. Great, I’m so glad. I oftentimes come in here and update this info since prices fluctuate. πŸ™‚ Good luck, let us know what you get. -Rebecca

      1. m the beginner…. i have no knowledge about flute….i knw nothing about flute so plz tell me which scale flute i should buy????

        1. Hi Shubham, I’m glad you’re here to learn to play the concert flute. The silver/concert/transversal/classical flute is in the key of C. It’s not like the bansuri or other traditional instruments that come in different keys. One flute plays ALL keys. I hope this helps you understand. Let me know if you have any more questions. πŸ™‚ ~Rebecca

    2. Thank you for this! With my schedule, I don’t have time for private lessons. I played in high school and am a very good vocalist. I am in a jazz quartet band and I want to add the flute to our gigs. But I am very rusty!
      I received lessons from my music teachers in the public school system. That was grade school, Jr. High and then High School. My parents raised 5 children and couldn’t afford to give me private lessons. After High School I continued singing but, never touched the flute again. I had a very poor condition flute and about 8 years ago, I purchased a flute from a music store. I was hoping to start playing again. It was slightly used, but excellent condition The name brand is Yamaha. Thank you again!!!!!

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