|
|
Top Flute Brands for Beginners
Last post 02-25-2010, 8:53 PM by wendy. 1 replies.
-
 02-25-2010, 8:32 PM |
-
wendy
-
-
-
Joined on 07-15-2005
-
-
Posts 172
-
-
|
Top Flute Brands for Beginners
By Espie Estrella, About.com Guide
With the vast array of flute brands and models in the
market today, finding one that will best suit the needs of a beginner
flutist can be a daunting task. This article will help narrow down your
choices by listing flute brands and specific models that are often
recommended for beginners. For intermediate or advanced players,
check out the next level of flute models for each brand listed below.
Other recommended brands that are pricey include Altus, Sankyo,
Miyazawa, Muramatsu and Nagahara flutes. 1. YamahaThe
Yamaha Corp. in Japan (formerly named Nippon Gakki Co.) was founded by
Torakusu Yamaha. They first began manufacturing reed organs in 1887 and
since then have branched out to producing other instruments. The Yamaha
Corp. of America was founded in 1960. Yamaha flutes have consistently
ranked well among the most recommended brands, both for affordability
and quality. Suggested Models - Yamaha YFL-221N Standard Flute - Compare Prices
- This one is nickel silver-plated with undercut embouchure hole and
double bladder pads. It has a C footjoint and an offset G key system.
It comes with a plastic case and a cleaning rod.
- Yamaha YFL-221 Standard Flute - Compare Prices - It has the same features as the YFL-221N except that this one is silver-plated.
2. Azumi by AltusThe Altus brand has
been crafting flutes for over 25 years with headquarters in Azumino,
Japan. Altus flutes are created by master flute maker Shuichi Tanaka.
Flutes by Altus, like the 807 or 907, are designed with "the growing
flutist" in mind. In 2006, they introduced a new line of flutes called
Azumi meant for advancing players. Azumis are more affordable but
maintains the same quality as Altus flutes. Serious beginners will also
find this brand a good investment. Suggested Model - Azumi AZ 3000RBS - Vendor's Site - This has the Altus handmade Z-cut head, Britannia silver body, B foot, offset G key system and french or open hole.
3. PearlThe
Pearl Musical Instrument Co. was founded in the 1940's in Japan.
Primarily known for producing percussion instruments, Pearl went on to
create a line of flutes and opened its US-based office in Nashville,
Tennessee. Suggested Model - Pearl Quantz 505E Flute - Compare Prices - This flute is silver-plated, closed hole, C foot, offset G with split-E mechanism.
4. JupiterKHS
(Kung Hsue She) was founded in Taiwan in 1930 and began manufacturing
musical instruments in the 1950's. KHS then founded Jupiter Band
Instruments Inc. in 1980 and later opened an office in Austin, Texas in
1990. Jupiter's slogan is "A world of quality goes into each musical
instrument," which is why their flutes remain on the list of
recommended flute brands. Suggested Models - Jupiter 313S Prodigy Model - Compare Prices
- This model is specifically meant for young beginners. It is
closed-hole, has a curved headjoint, assisted fingering and a
silver-plated body.
- Jupiter 511 RSO Standard Flute - Manufacturer's Site - This standard flute model is open-hole, silver-plated and has an offset G key system.
5. DiMedici by JupiterDiMedici flutes are also under the Jupiter brand. Suggested Model - Jupiter DiMedici 911 RBSO Flute - Compare Prices
- The 911 RBSO is for serious, advancing flute players. Specs include a
silver-plated body, sterling silver D-2 headjoint, B foot, open hole
and an offset G key system.
6. Trevor JamesNamed
after its founder, Trevor J. James, this company began in 1979 as a
flute repair shop in London and then branched out to crafting flutes in
1982. Since then they have also manufactured saxophones and clarinets. Suggested Models - Trevor James 10X2E Flute - Vendor's Site
- Silver-plated body and foot, closed hole, C footjoint, offset G and
split E mechanism are among its specifications. It comes with a case
and cleaning rod plus a 5 year guarantee.
- Trevor James P3CPO "Privilege" Series 3 - Vendor's Site - This model is all silver-plated, closed hole, offset G and has a C footjoint.
7. ArmstrongKnown
for its flutes and piccolos, it was founded by William Teasdale
Armstrong, an instrument repairman, in 1931 with his first office in
Elkhart, Indiana. Before long, Armstrong started crafting his own
flutes which was continued by his son Edward. Suggested Models - Armstrong Model 102 Flute - Manufacturer's Site
- For beginning students, it is silver-plated and closed hole. Has a
full warranty, comes with a hardshell case and cleaning rod.
- Armstrong Model 104 Flute - Manufacturer's Site
- Likewise for beginning students, it is silver-plated, closed hole and
has a basic cut head joint. Also comes with a hardshell case and
cleaning rod.
8. GemeinhardtThe
Gemeinhardt Company was founded by flute maker Kurt Gemeinhardt during
the late 1940's. Gemeinhardt acquired the Roy Seaman Piccolo Company in
1997 and in 2005, Gemeinhardt joined the Gemstone Musical Instruments
team. The Gemeinhardt Co. is known as manufacturers of flutes and
piccolos. Suggested Model - Gemeinhardt Model 2SP Flute - Compare Prices
- The model 2SP is often recommended for beginning flutists. It is
closed hole, silver-plated, with stainless steel springs and offset G.
|
|
-
| 02-25-2010, 8:53 PM |
-
wendy
-
-
-
Joined on 07-15-2005
-
-
Posts 172
-
-
|
Re: Top Flute Brands for Beginners
For semi-professional flutes, here's what I've found... of course, just
bear in mind that since the flute is such a personal instrument, what
one person may love, another may hate....
My experience with Yamahas has actually been good. It's been awhile
since I've played any of their beginner models (although I still think
those are better than other student flutes like Bundys or Artleys), but
their top level flutes are very good. My favorite of theirs is the
Julius Baker model, YFL-892H, which I don't own, but if I had to have a
Yamaha, that'd be the one I'd pick.
I have tried both Jupiter and Pearl flutes – both are great
step-up-from-intermediate-flutes-but-not-quite-top-professional brands.
Just for me, neither brand worked for what I needed, but since you
liked the Jupiter you've tried, maybe that's the flute for you: it all
depends on the user, and what they expect to get out of their flute.
Personally, I'd still recommend a good Yamaha over either Jupiter or
Pearl, for superior tone, mechanism, intonation, and overall quality,
but Jupiter fans will say just the opposite. :) Jupiters seem very
reasonably priced, however, so if you don't want to break the bank or
want a cheaper flute since your last one was stolen, then this might be
the route to go.
Muramatsu – this is also good brand. I had a Muramatsu flute several years ago, and I liked it very much.
Miyazawa & Powell – Personally, I didn't like their tone,
intonation, and mechanism as much as I liked Muramatsu and Yamaha's.
Powells in particular I found to have an airy, brittle tone that didn't
have much depth. (But Powell users would beg to differ.) For both of
these, for their price, I'd prefer something nicer..
Nagahara – Of all the brands on the market, Nagahara is a relative
newcomer, but one of the best and most innovative brands there is. I'd
highly recommend trying their flutes or headjoints, just to see what
they're like. (I'd actually recommend trying flutes from every brand
before purchasing, too.) What sets Nagahara apart from other flute
brands is that after years of research, they have come up with a lot of
innovations in scale, intonation, and design on their flutes that you
won't see on any other brands.
Haynes – I haven't tried one of these in a long time, but I know a lot
of professional flutists who own old Haynes that they used to play
before going to the top professional flute models (of a different
brand)… I guess that means that they liked Haynes as intermediate
flutes, so if you're looking for a good flute without going for a top
professional kind, then you might want to try these.
Brannen Brothers – Brannen-Coopers are some of the best professional
flutes out there, with superior intonation (thanks to the Cooper
scale). The downside is that they're very pricey…
Burkart & Phelan - I know they do great piccolos and flute
headjoints... I haven't actually tried one of their flutes for several
years now, but I know many people do like them. I know several who
have bought B&P headjoints, not the rest of the flute, to upgrade
the rest of their flute.
Some of these (like Brannen and Burkart & Phelan) may be too
pricey, but it's good to keep an eye out for all kinds of flute brands.
You never know when you might see a bargain: the Muramatzu flute I had
would have been out of my price range but its owner was selling it for
1/5 of its worth (guess he hadn't done his research). If you just want
a good flute to play for fun, then the Jupiter might be exactly what
you want. I just listed the other brands so you'd get an idea of
what's out there. Hopefully you can get to try one or another of these
brands – it gives a lot of perspective in sorting out one's own opinion
on how the brands stack up, even to try flutes that one knows one won't
buy.
Anyway, there's my unbiased opinion of the most common brands out there
today. Ranking flute brands is very subjective, of course, and is the
subject of hot debate among flutists, so in the end, it all comes down
to what you're hearing as you play.
|
|
|
|