Flute Buyer's Guide

Flute Breakdown

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Flute Categories

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featuring

Gemeinhardt 2SP Series Student Flutes

Student Flutes: Designed for the beginner, student flutes are meant to provide an excellent start for the first years of playing. Teacher-Recommended Student Flutes

Intermediate (Step-Up) Flutes: Once a student is established and learning the fundamentals of good playing, it is important to purchase an instrument that will continue his or her musical growth. Recommended Intermediate Flutes

Professional Flutes: Designed and constructed with the professional musician in mind, these flutes are high-end instruments made with the finest materials and craftsmanship. Recommended Professional Flutes

Artist: Hand-crafted and true artist quality. Recommended Artisan Flutes

View recommended instruments:

• Teacher-Recommended Student Flutes
• Recommended Intermediate Flutes
• Recommended Professional Flutes
• Recommended Artisan Flutes

Body Materials

Nickel Plated:

Nickel plating is found on student flutes and proves an extremely durable finish that is easily cared for. Because the material is very light, the sound can be a bit bright.

Silver Plated:

Silver plating adds not only a beautiful finish to the flute, but the added weight darkens and centers the sound.

Solid (Sterling) Silver:

Increasing the weight of the flute body by moving to solid (sterling) silver will further darken and focus the sound, as well as create richer overtones.

The Three Major Parts of the Flute

Head Joint:

This is the part of the flute the player blows into which has no keys. Many intermediate instruments feature a head joint made of solid silver. The material used to make the head joint has a major influence on the overall sound of the flute, so a solid silver head joint gives the instrument the characteristics of a silver flute. The head joint includes the tuning cork which you can move to adjust the intonation of the flute.

Body:

This is the largest part of the flute and contains most of the key work. It is the center section and connects to the head and the foot joint.

Foot:

This is the shortest part of the flute and it contains a few keys. A C foot is standard on most student flutes while most professional models have a B foot.

Key Systems

Plateau Model:

The common flute for students, the Plateau model doesn’t require the more involved fingering technique of the French model. Plateau-keyed flutes usually have an “offset” G key, which is a more comfortable and natural position for students.

French Model:

Also known as the “Open-hole Model,” the French Model is slightly more expensive in initial cost and maintenance costs. Its defining feature is the open holes in the centers of five of the keys. Open holes have several advantages:

• The holes give a slightly clearer, louder sound due to the less obstructed airflow.
• Extra effects are possible by “half-holing” (covering only half the hole of a depressed key, to bend the note sharp). This can be particularly expressive for jazz and other improvisational styles.

Offset vs. Inline G:

The G key is played with the third finger of the left hand and can be placed directly “in-line” with other keys,which is believed to produce superior intonation.The G key can be slightly “offset” toward the outer edge of the flute making it easier to reach and more comfortable, especially for small hands.

Other Important Features

Arms: French Pointed vs. “Y”:

The arm is the part of the mechanism that connects the key to the rod. “Y” arms attach to the edge of the key and prove quite sturdy. French or pointed arms extend across the middle of the key and allow for better key placement, fluidity and pad sealing.

Split E:

The Split E improves intonation and response over the high E, a problematic note on most flutes.

Embouchure (Lip) Plate:

The lip plate is where the player’s lip contacts the head.

Riser:

Also referred to as the “chimney,” the riser connects the lip plate to the head. It is believed that the heavier the weight of the metal used directly influences the flute’s tone (i.e. gold is darker than nickel).

Springs:

These hold keys in place when they are not being used. Stainless steel springs are found on most student and step-up flutes because they are very durable. Advanced flutists, however, prefer the lighter touch of white gold.

Product Comparison Charts

Download the Product Comparison Charts:

• Student Flute Chartfile size 628kb
• Intermediate Flute Chartfile size 468kb
• Advanced Flute Chartfile size 480kb

These chart files require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view (PDF).