Step-Up Flutes

Flutists who progress beyond the basics are usually excited to discover the benefits step-up flutes offer them.   Among them are a fuller and richer sound, quicker and more sure response, extended range, and a sense of increased control—all of which creates more enjoyment in playing and increased encouragement to practice.

Step-up Levels

Among the differences between beginner and step-up flutes, the biggest is the metal they're made of.  Beginner flutes are usually made of nickel silver, a hard and inexpensive metal; it has a bright (some might say harsh) tone, but beginners are more focused on finding the correct note than on the quality of the tone they produce. 

Step-up flutes (intermediate, performer, and top-line) are made of increasing amounts of solid silver.  Solid silver vibrates more freely, creating a fuller, more pleasing tone with more harmonics.

An intermediate flute typically has a solid silver head joint.  This step makes a dramatic difference in tone and response that often surprises and thrills a flutist playing one for the first time.  Band directors, fellow musicians, and those with a musical ear notice the improvement in tone immediately. 

The next step up, performer flutes, have solid silver head joints, bodies and foot joints.  They offer additional improvements in tone and response (although not as dramatic as the first step). These models are appropriate for young musicians who take their music seriously.

Music majors or professionals most often play top-line flutes, although others sometimes choose them too.  Top-line flutes have solid silver head joints, bodies, foot joints, and keys.  They provide the best response and tone, and the special attention they get in manufacturing is meant to make them the ultimate instruments.  

A step-up flute, whether intermediate, performer, or top-line, should last through school and longer—with regular maintenance step-up instruments shouldn't have to be replaced.

Options

A low-B foot is an option that is included with most step-up flutes from intermediate to top-line.  The "low B" is actually an additional key at the end of the flute; to accommodate it, the foot joint is slightly longer.  As well as giving the flutist the additional note at the low end, it improves the overall tone of the flute.  

"Open hole" refers to holes in the middle of the keys; the flutist covers them with the fingers when playing.  Open hole/closed hole can be a matter of player preference, although most fine flutists play open hole.  Flutists often say open-hole gives them better flexibility and control of the sound.  An open-hole flute is a safe choice because it can be played as a closed-hole flute by inserting plugs.  Plugs are also helpful in giving a flutist time to adapt to open holes.  

A good model for junior high students likely to continue on flute into high school is an intermediate open-hole flute with a low-B foot.   This model will keep up with their developing abilities and should not have to be replaced unless the student decides to pursue music after high school.   For students who are serious about their music or who might play past high school, a performer open-hole flute with low B foot is a good choice. 

Some schools with strong music programs like their players to play similar brands and models of instruments so the sound blends well and the instruments are in perfect tune with each other.  

The charts below show some important differences between each level of instrument.

Features Found on Most Beginner Flutes

Features Found on Most Intermediate Flutes

Features Found on Most Performer Flutes

More questions about flutes or stepping up?
Reach an instrument specialist by email here or by phone at (901) 323-8888.