Instruments
 

Does anyone know anything about flutes? I need one and am thinking I'd rather buy than lease but have no earthly idea what to look for. I know some peeps here play a variety of instruments, I was hoping for some shopping advice.

I want a flute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But they are expensive.

I'm looking for a second hand one right now. I'd taken a few months of lessons about 2 years ago and would love to learn more.

When I was learning, I was playing a Gemeinhardt. Unfortunately, that flute belongs to my very stubborn grandmother (who can't bear the thought of her granddaughter taking her flute away to Montreal - nevermind that she hasn't played it in a decade...). Because that's what I learned on, that's what I'm looking for now, but I've heard that Armstrong flutes are good too. I am watching on eBay currently, there are quite a few, but I think that the prices there are high right now, since many people are looking for a flute for school.

Do you play, Lil?

No. I was a classically trained pianist in my youth and would kill to have a piano in the house and take lessons again. But it is one of my kiddos who is in band who is going to play the flute. I'm a little worried about him getting razzed. You don't see a hell of a lot of boy flute players in the middle school ranks.

I too have been scouring eBay and am seeing that I can buy one there for the cost of about 1/2 a year of rentals. I sent Mr. Lil to the music store this morning and am staying home to look up everything he sees there online :D

When I first read you were looking for a flute Lilith I wonder if you were going to band camp.

PM flutelady -- she should be able to help you. And if you need her email addy, let me know and I will provide it. :)


Good luck, Lil. :x:

I think N.........N..N....Neeeige's :faint: comment, "but I think that the prices there are high right now, since many people are looking for a flute for school.", is the crux and you may want to just grab the one that is less than the rental for now and do your scouting until the time frame shifts. You'll still have less cash-out-of-pocket now and can through it in the closet if interest wanes.

I do know a 'flautist' :brows: ...... and can ask about entry level instrument recommendations.



(aren't you proud of our restraint from going for the skin flute puns? :D )

OldFart has not posted yet :p


I bought one on eBay. :D I paid under $80 for a used good named student flute that is reported to have all its pieces working and no dents.

I am shocked that you could say something like that. I would never ever post gratuitous references to a pork piccolo, a mouth organ or a grand bagpipe without the direst duress.

A goodlooking flautist will be a chick magnet if he works on it. Remind him you have no desire to become a granny, at least not for a long time.

It is the little one who threatens to stow away in you and the Mrs. suitcase so he can go to Australia ;) that will be making my ears bleed until he gets the hang of it :D

Lil, sorry I couldn't get back in time, but it might surprise you to find that I didn't stop with the purchase of a bass...I actually am the owner of 2 flutes...& at one time I could play a couple of tunes on them (my friend & I would tear it up on "Greensleeves" guitar/flute duet every xmas).

Looks like Neige already answered as well as I could have, Gemeinhardt is (or was) the Cadillac of flutes, at least that was what I was told at one time...Armstrong was more like a Chevy, not top of the line, but good enough for the average student. I'm not sure, but I think that's what my 2 flute brands are...they're buried in a closet somewhere. I bought both used from a bandmate, the first one (Armstrong) had a broken piece that kept the last 2 stops from flapping open too far, but didn't affect my playing that much...but it was enough that when the same guy was ready to sell me his low-end Gemeinhardt, I made the Armstrong into a lamp :)

Sounds like you made a good deal on Ebay, what was the "good named student flute" you got? Dent aren't usually a big deal on flutes, unless in an area where two pieces have to fit together...the biggest problem you may have when the flute gets there is that the pads may be old & dried out, not something an average layman (or beginner) can detect, but if the pads are bad they'll leak air & the every note will sound like an asthmatic steam engine (or something like that...suddenly the right metaphor escapes me)...the pads & springs can be replaced making it good as new, but the last time I checked, it was about $50 for the repair, & that was years ago....

Gemeinhardt sp2 ;) no dents, the pads are fine supposedly, has some scratches

Good deal then...scratches just add charactor ;)

Good luck to the young music student...I too hope he doesn't get razzed, in my day playing the flute or clarinet was strictly for sissies...kept me in the trumpet section...

(get the feeling that I just tried every instrument out there till I found the right one? yeh, something like that...)

I'm afraid it still may be. :s

scotz: "it was about $50 for the repair, & that was years ago...."
Lil: For future reference just in case you need a repair check with the school music dept. first.

OF: "A goodlooking flautist will be a chick magnet if he works on it."
History repeats: The flute's primary purpose was to be used as a courting instrument for young men's use only. Traditionally, women never would touch a flute.
(Native American Flutes, stories and history)
http://www.spottedeagle.com/flutes.htm

There are more men flutists then I thought.

Jazz Flute Players
http://www.musicianspage.com/musici...flute/jazz.html

Famous Flutists
http://www.flutecorner.com/famousflutists.htm

And these pictures show all ages.
(Flute pictures & videos on Webshots)
http://www.webshots.com/search?query=flute

Looks like your young one is in good company Lil.

Thanks Teddy!