Stepping Up Your Flute
Why step up from a beginner to an intermediate or performer-level flute?
If you need some help deciding, the charts below show some important differences between each level of instrument.
Features Found on Most Beginner Flutes
| Feature |
Benefits
|
Nickel-silver head, body, foot
|
Durable and inexpensive
|
Closed-hole ("plateau")
|
Easier fingering for beginners
|
Offset G/A key
|
Easier reach for smaller hands
|
Features Found on Most Intermediate Flutes
| Feature |
Benefits
|
Solid silver head.
Silver-plated, nickel-silver body and foot
|
Better tone
|
| Open-hole |
Increased control over tone
|
In-line G/A keys
|
Comfortable for mature reach
|
Low B key
|
Extended range and better resonance
|
Undercut and beveled embouchure hole
|
Clean attack, sensitive response, and accurate intonation
|
Individual attention and adjustment
|
Better response and intonation
|
Features Found on Most Performer Flutes
| Features |
Benefits
|
Solid silver head, body, and foot
|
Richer tone quality, which projects and sounds warmer
|
| Open-hole |
Increased control over tone. Provides better sound projection and flexibility of pitch
|
In-line G/A keys
|
Comfortable for mature reach
|
Low B key
|
Extended range and an aid in production of 3rd-octave notes
|
Undercut and beveled embouchure hole
|
Clean attack, sensitive response, and accurate intonation
|
Gold-plated embouchure
|
Better feel. Plate feels softer and warms up sooner, allowing faster response
|
White gold springs
|
Sensitive response, maintains even tension, won't corrode
|
Maximum attention in regulation and adjustment
|
Best response and intonation
|
Padded case cover
|
Protects instrument from accidentally falling out of case
|
More questions about flutes or stepping up?
Reach an instrument specialist by email here or by phone at (901) 323-8888.
