How to Select Your First Flute
When you are trying to pick out your first flute, it can be hard to know where to even begin as there are so many options out there! Fortunately, the choice can be made a little simpler after considering factors like commitment level, age, need for physical accommodations, where you will be playing, musical intentions, and budget.
Commitment Level
So you want to learn how to play the flute, fantastic!! Obviously you are wise and realized that flute is THE BEST instrument! 🙂
But just how much do you really want to do it? Are you ready to go all in and really study and play the flute, or do you want to just try it out first and see if you like it? If you are not completely committed to playing the flute for at least a year, then I would recommend that you either rent an instrument or buy a used student flute. If you do feel like you will stick with it in the long-term, then you should probably go ahead and buy an instrument if possible.
Age
Are you shopping for a little flutist? And if so, just how young is the future musician? If the flutist is very young, say under the age of seven, then I would actually not recommend getting a normal flute at all but purchasing an instrument that is smaller and lighter like a fife or a Toot to start the learning process and then later switch to a full-length flute. If the flutist is a little bit older, around the age of seven or eight, then a plastic flute like a jFlute or a modified metal flute with a curved or waveline headjoint might be appropriate. If you want more information on these kinds of flutes or to hear them in action, then check out my free course “Finding Your Forever Flute (and How to Make It Last)!”
After the flutist is around the age of nine or ten, then he or she may switch to a normal concert flute. But if the flutist is under the age of fourteen or so, it is probably best to stick with a basic student flute with closed holes and a C footjoint. Firstly because it is lighter and easier on smaller hands, but also because you don’t want to buy an expensive instrument just to have it left on the school bus or constantly banged against a music stand!
But once the student is responsible enough to handle a really nice instrument, then the better the flute he or she has, the easier and more enjoyable it will be to play!
Physical Accommodations
Sometimes a normal concert flute is not completely appropriate just for young students but also those who might need physical accommodations. If weight is a concern, then probably an instrument with a C footjoint will be better than one with a B, and maybe you could even consider getting a plastic instrument over a metal one. If there are any issues with your hands and stretching your fingers, then closed holes are likely a better choice than open. And if you have any kind of problem with your arms or the need to hold the instrument out to the side, then perhaps you could get a curved headjoint to make the reach smaller or even a headjoint that makes the flute more vertical instead of horizontal. Again, more descriptions of these kinds of instruments can be found in the course.
Practice and Performance Setting
Another thing you should consider when looking to get a flute is where you will be playing. If you will be playing a lot outdoors, then it is not a great idea to use a really nice flute as they can get berated by dirt and the elements. In that case, you should play on a student or even a plastic flute. Of course if you will be playing indoors, then feel free to get the fanciest flute that you want!
Musical Intentions
What are your goals with learning the flute? Are you just looking to try out something new, maybe as a new hobby or as a way to keep your muscles and brain limber? Are you looking to join an ensemble or perform in concerts or recitals? Or are you looking to major in music in college and make music your profession? The more serious that the student is and the loftier the goals, the more necessary it is to have the best instrument possible. Basic, cheap flutes can impede a student’s progress. But don’t worry if you don’t have the finest instrument right away, because if your ambitions elevate over time, you can always upgrade!
Budget
The last and most straight-forward concern is budget. While it would be ideal if every flutist could have a top-of-the-line, handmade instrument, that of course is not always possible as an instrument like that can come with a hefty although well-deserved price tag. So if you are working with a limited budget, there are some options you can consider.
First, it is important to note that you will not regret getting the best instrument you can afford (for those old enough to take care of it of course). But sometimes the best instrument isn’t always a new one. One great option is to get a really nice secondhand flute, as you can sometimes get a used instrument of superior quality to a new one of the same price as long as it has been well maintained.
That is also a big reason why it is VERY important to buy an instrument from a music store or especially a flute store if possible. Technicians at any decent store will make sure that the instrument is in great condition before they sell it to you. If you get an instrument from a different source, please realize that while it might possibly look cheaper and like a better deal, you should always get a flute like that checked by a technician before you try to play it as it might not be in a playable condition. And it can sometimes cost quite a lot to get it into good working order, maybe ending up being more in total, including the cost of the flute and the repair, than an instrument from the flute store.
Also, as previously mentioned, it is possible to rent a flute too, but I suggest purchasing an instrument as soon as possible if you are going to be in it for the long-term so that way all the money you would normally put into renting the instrument will go into owning one, unless a store has a rent-to-own policy.
Conclusion
There is no one best option when getting a new flute, it truly depends on your personal situation.
If you need more help deciding on an instrument to get, then feel free to enroll in the free “Finding Your First or Forever Flute (and How to Make It Last)!” course where you will be able to get further explanation of the options available to you when purchasing an instrument as well as what accessories to consider getting and details about how to take care of your instrument. You will also get access to the Skye Flute Music community where you can talk to fellow flute enthusiasts and ask all of your questions!
Happy fluting!
