Flute players!

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mercaptovizadeh

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I apologize for abusing the pre-allo forum with this, but I posted here because of the greater 'publicity.'

I am looking to buy a flute as a gift for my cousin who can't really afford it, but I don't know what flutes are good quality. Is Yamaha good? What brands/models do you suggest and where to find them?

Thanks.
 
if your cousin is a beginner a yamaha is definitely fine. they make excellent and affordable (less than 200 bucks) flutes that will last for years. one of my teachers had 3: a Miyazawa that she used in her orchestra, a Pearl flute that she used occasionally for big performances (they go for about 10 Gs) and a Yamaha that she would always jam with. she highly recommends yamahas.
-dr. mota
 
mercaptovizadeh said:
I apologize for abusing the pre-allo forum with this, but I posted here because of the greater 'publicity.'

I am looking to buy a flute as a gift for my cousin who can't really afford it, but I don't know what flutes are good quality. Is Yamaha good? What brands/models do you suggest and where to find them?

Thanks.

btw you applied to a SH*TLOAD of schools.
-dr. mota
 
DaMota said:
if your cousin is a beginner a yamaha is definitely fine. they make excellent and affordable (less than 200 bucks) flutes that will last for years. one of my teachers had 3: a Miyazawa that she used in her orchestra, a Pearl flute that she used occasionally for big performances (they go for about 10 Gs) and a Yamaha that she would always jam with. she highly recommends yamahas.
-dr. mota

Thanks for the info. Very useful and much appreciated! What are the fingerings like? I'm just wondering because I play the oboe and allegedly the fingerings are quite similar (unlike the clarinet).
 
DaMota said:
btw you applied to a SH*TLOAD of schools.
-dr. mota

Tell me about it, it was pure hell.
 
Yamahas are great flutes. I started with a Selmer, though, and for a beginner, that's just fine.
 
thedelicatessen said:
Yamaha is definitely a good brand. I would also recommend Gemeinhardt and Emerson.

Ooh, Gemeinhardt's a little pricey, especially for a beginner. I think that Yamaha has a beginner's line, doesn't it? I don't know if Gemeinhardt caters to that crowd.
 
I'm staying away from Selmer for good. I played a Selmer oboe and it was crap. The Yamaha oboe was decent for an intermediate student. And then I got the Loree 😉
 
Sorry, I don't mean to be offensive or rude but I just have to write this: (it was the first thing that came to mind 😳 )

:laugh: "One time, in band camp, I stuck a flute..." :laugh:

I guess it's getting too late. You can ignore me now. 😳
 
I had an Artly as my very first flute (very cheap my parents wanted to be sure I was serious) then switched to a silver open holed Gemeinhardt.

Yep, Gemeinhardt is pricey but a GREAT buy. They also produce the best sound IMHO.
 
mercaptovizadeh said:
I apologize for abusing the pre-allo forum with this, but I posted here because of the greater 'publicity.'

I am looking to buy a flute as a gift for my cousin who can't really afford it, but I don't know what flutes are good quality. Is Yamaha good? What brands/models do you suggest and where to find them?

Thanks.

How old is your cousin?
What is your cousin's level of playing? Beginner? Intermediate?
Is your cousin fairly serious about getting good at flute?
 
I'll give another vote for Gemeinhardt, I've had one for about 14 years now and it has held up great. It really depends on how much you want to spend on this gift though. If you want a flute that gives you great quality w/o being too pricey, this is the way to go IMHO
 
I started out my lessons with an Armstrong beginner's flute...when it was battered and beaten from marching band and the like, I bought a nice Miyazawa. I played throughout college, and my cutie pie Miyazawa got me through just fine.
 
I recommend Gemeinhardt - I think it's the best!!
 
Selmer makes great saxophones though 😉
 
OrganLibrarian said:
I started out my lessons with an Armstrong beginner's flute...when it was battered and beaten from marching band and the like, I bought a nice Miyazawa. I played throughout college, and my cutie pie Miyazawa got me through just fine.

I have pretty much the same story! But the Yamaha is a nice choice.

Wow, there seems to be a good amount of SDN flute players. I'd bet there is a lot of pre-professional musicians in general!!
 
Of_The_Tower said:
I have pretty much the same story! But the Yamaha is a nice choice.

Wow, there seems to be a good amount of SDN flute players. I'd bet there is a lot of pre-professional musicians in general!!

Actually I have been working as a professional musician for 10+ years!
 
mercaptovizadeh said:
I apologize for abusing the pre-allo forum with this, but I posted here because of the greater 'publicity.'

I am looking to buy a flute as a gift for my cousin who can't really afford it, but I don't know what flutes are good quality. Is Yamaha good? What brands/models do you suggest and where to find them?

Thanks.

I used to play the flute and am trying to unload mine. $20 + shipping? 🙂
 
BMW M3 said:
I used to play the flute and am trying to unload mine. $20 + shipping? 🙂

Thanks guys for all your help. I purchased a Gemeinhardt. I am grateful to you all for your help.

Mods, feel free to move to the lounge, and thanks for tolerating this as long as you did.
 
OrganLibrarian said:
I started out my lessons with an Armstrong beginner's flute...when it was battered and beaten from marching band and the like, I bought a nice Miyazawa. I played throughout college, and my cutie pie Miyazawa got me through just fine.
Man this bring's back 25 year old memories! I used an Armstrong when I was in the marching band too!!
 
1Path said:
Man this bring's back 25 year old memories! I used an Armstrong when I was in the marching band too!!

lol... bring on the "one time in band camp ..." stories
 
Gemeinhardt was the right choice.

I have my open-key model with the gold plating still around, I wish there was some kind of opportunity to use it at my age, though. My craptacular graduate school doesn't let non-music majors participate in any activities, I am "welcome to watch the performances" though.
 
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