Flutes

The flute is a woodwind instrument which is played by blowing down the air hole, and pressing different combinations of keys to change the produced note. The principal behind this type of instrument has existed for tens of thousands of years, and flute like instruments made of bone have been uncovered. The modern flute is made of metal, and can be bought in various metallic colours. Major producers of flutes include the Jupiter company. The flute can be bought we either a straight head or curved head (my Jupiter model actually came either both). The curved head's purpose is to enable children who cannot play a full length flute to play since the head curves ...  Read the complete review

I've been playing the flute for about 11 years now and the piccolo for a few less, and have to say, the best student flute I have had is a Yamaha 311. It's solid silver lip plate and head joint is far better than the silver plated 211. It gives a fantastic tone and sound quality, even in at a top C and beyond! I have even been able to play top notes quietly, unlike other brands of flutes. I got it for £711 but only because she shop price matched, so although fairly expensive for a student flute, definately worth the money and felt better to hold and play than other flutes available when I brought mine! It has lasted me up to grade 8 standard and A level although may not ...  Read the complete review

When I was eleven years old, my Dad asked me if I wanted to learn an instrument. At that time, there was a girl in my class who was already grade 3 on the flute, and I thought she was amazing, (she was, she got a dploma when she was 15!) I wanted to be just like her. It didn't take much thinking for me to decide, so that night, I went home and told my Dad I wanted to play the flute. It was the best decision I ever made. At first my Dad wouldn't buy me my own flute, because he believed I would give up after a week or so once I had started. (Thats what my brother did, two weeks after my Dad bought him a brand new £300 clarinet). But in the end we found a cheap ...  Read the complete review

I've been playing flute for many years now and have my grade 8. Although I find that when im stressed I turn to my piano, I think I spend some of my most creative hours playing flute. I love modern flute music, it is crisp, exciting and emotional (just look for Poulenc, Debussy or Ravel). Jazz flute is also incredible, a style I think that many sadly miss out on. As for types of flute, I have played piccolo, flute and alto-flute. My favourite is alto-flute, it has a resonant mellow tone which I have not found in any other instrument. As I frequently play in groups, it is often a requirement that I play piccolo; piccolo is fun but I do not like the sound. ...  Read the complete review

I have been playing the flute on and off 20 years and been the proud owner and renter of several. Out of all the flutes I've owned, my favourite manufacturer is Trevor James. Their student flute produces a fantastic sound and you get a lot for your money. I also own a Trevor James Cantabile flute, which is even better. If you want to buy a student flute which is robust and will last for years, I would recommend a Yamaha 211 (their student clarinet is also superb). I rented a Yamaha flute out of curiosity and was seriously impressed with the quality of the instrument. However, I still think that the Trevor James student flute sounds better, but I guess that ...  Read the complete review