Flute
We have an extensive collection of flutes for beginners, advanced students and top professionals. Here you will find our collection of new flutes, alto flutes and bass flutes. From renowned makers such as: Yamaha, Miyazawa, Muramatsu, Altus and Pearl.
Or you can choose one of our vintage flutes where you will find brands such as: Powell, Muramatsu, Yamaha or Sankyo. All our vintage instruments are completely cleaned, re-padded and adjusted so that they play like new. We also offer a nice selection flute headjoints.
Here your will also find a selection of our flute accesories, for more accessories, click here.
Interested in trying one of our flutes? You are welcome in our store where you have all the time to try any number of possibilities. Our aim is to have you fall in love with an instrument which helps you to express your musical passion. Still not sure? We offer a trial period with any instrument which allows your infatuation to fully blossom.
Flutes come with open-holes (5 rather large holes in the center of the A, G, F, E and D keys) or what is known as closed-holes. There is an ongoing discussion as to whether open-holes enhance the sonority but it is without doubt that open holes help in the proper placement of the fingers above the keys.Many players choose an open-hole flute and then use a combination of open and closed holes with plugs in the G and D holes, the more problematical to completely close.
Most flutes come with drawn tone holes, which are mechanically pulled from the body. Some, all of which belong in the realm of the more expensive and therefore Professional category, have soldered tone holes. For reasons which are not immediately explicable, a soldered tone hole flute tends to be more robust and colorful, a more exciting instrument to play.
The choice of In-line or Offset G key is arbitrary. Certain trends seem to appear, however: in-line in France and the US and offset in Northern Europe, for example. There is no advantage as far as sound is concerned and the choice should be made on the basis of playing comfort.
Most beginners flutes are made of Nickel Silver and then Silver Plated. All other things being equal, a flute with a Solid Silver Head Joint plays better (more center and better color in the sound) than one with nickel silver head joint only. Stepping up to Solid Silver Head Joint and Body again enhances the sound. The next step places Solid Silver Keys on a Solid Silver Head and Body (Full Silver Flute). Whether this is justifiable in terms of the substantial difference in price is arguable and depends, in our experience, on the particular flute maker. In the case, for example, of Muramatsu, the step up to a Full Silver instrument is often justifiable.
Choice of C foot or B foot (which adds one note, low B, to the flute) is largely a matter of taste and budget. C foot flutes tend to be more brilliant while a B foot tends to lend darkness and, at times, a robustness to the whole flute. The B foot adds to the price as well as the weight of the instrument but is very often chosen over the C foot for sonic reasons.
The E-mechanic or split E mechanism on a flute eases the playing of the high E, a note which is difficult for beginners and remains somewhat challenging, particularly on American flutes which tend to have many low overtones making production of the higher register, the E in particular, more difficult. Alternatives to the E-mechanic exist. Placement of an E-ring in the lower G hole goes a long way toward easing playing the high E.