For Teachers, Students, and Parents

There are a lot of wonderful flutes available today. Because there are so many, choosing a flute can feel very confusing. Just remember that buying a flute is a process that needn?t be daunting if a method is followed. So take your time, and enjoy the process. By beginning your search with Conn-Selmer, you will be assured that you will be experiencing the tradition of American flute manufacturing, with superior quality, craftsmanship and the choice of a model to suit every student and step-up budget.

1. Ask yourself why you want a new flute?

• Are you replacing your student model with something more refined or better made? If you answered yes, then ask yourself why you are replacing the flute.
• Do you want to just have ia new one to last through high school?
• Are you younger, and wanting a flute a bridge to your high school years, or are you planning to play that instrument throughout your life or hand it down to a child or sibling?

2. Determine your budget or price point.

• There are quality flutes to fit every price point

3. Find the highest quality flute for your purposes and budget.

• Just because a flute is made of silver does not mean it is a quality instrument. Look instead for the amount and quality of hand work used to make the flute. Generally, the more hand-work there is, the better the quality. Quality manufacturing and design will make more of a difference in a flute?s performance and your performance than any amount of precious metal will.

4. Decide on whether you want a new flute or a used one.

• Used flutes can cost less money initially, but they can be very expensive to get into 'like new' condition.
• eBay and internet sales can be cheap but dangerous. Generally you get what you pay for. Purchase a flute on eBay or internet at your own risk and with the guidance of your flute teacher or flute technician.
• Developing a relationship with a full service music store is a good thing. They can provide recourse for faulty merchandise and help when emergency repair is necessary.
• In general, an overhaul on a high quality flute costs approximately $800 or more.

5. Decide which features are important for to you to have on your flute.

• Trends in the USA indicate that flutists most often purchase a B foot, open-holed flute with an offset G key. If you are used to an in-line G, or if your teacher recommends an in-line G, then purchase what your teacher recommends. If there is no teacher preference, purchase what feels most comfortable in your hand. Other options generally include:

• Split E
• C# trill
• D# roller
• Heavy wall thickness
• Drawn or soldered tone holes
• French or Y-arm keys
• High E facilitator (doughnut)
• Silver, silver-plating, gold plating
• Hand-made, hand-finished, or assembly-line made

You can learn more about these and other options in the pamphlet, 'Anatomy of a Flute' found on the Armstrong Flutes website, www.armstrongwinds.com

6. Choose several flutes to test play.

• Ideally, you will have a dealer you are working with who can show you several models of flutes in your price range. Flute Fairs are also excellent venues to test flutes and to get to know several dealers. • Play several different models and brands of flutes.
• Pick 2 or 3 that are of a similar price range, that feel good in your hands, and that feel comfortable to make a sound on.

7. Test-play the flutes.

• Use the same process for each flute.
• Number the flutes 1, 2, and 3.
• Have your teacher, parents or a friend act as a second pair of ears. Remember that what you hear when you play the flute may not be what a person 10 or more feet away will hear.
• Do not let your second ears know which brand of flute you are playing. Refer to the different flutes only by its number. Record the scores for each flute on a sheet of paper.

8. Choose playing excerpts of not more than 4 measures in length.

• The brain cannot remember much more than this length of time. Choose excerpts or examples that will demonstrate the following:
• Articulation - both double and single tonguing, staccato and legato attacks
• Low register
• Middle register
• High register
• Extreme high register
• Volume - both maximum softness and loudness
• Have your testers rate each of these examples for each flute.

9. Test intonation.

• Use a tuner and tune your low A.
• Use a tuner and play harmonics to see how well the upper register corresponds to the harmonics.

10. Push your limits.

• You want your new flute to be able to allow you to do things you cannot presently do on your current flute. Therefore, don?t settle for playing the same way that you always do. Test your limits. See if you can play louder and softer, faster and lighter, smoother and easier than with your current flute. From these 2 or 3 flutes, choose the one that comes out the winner for your second pair of ears. If you are not completely convinced, then try this winning flute against another brand and go through the same process again.

11. Remember to always keep your process the SAME.

• Stand in the SAME spot, face the SAME direction, keep your second ears in the SAME place in the room, play the excerpts in the SAME order etc.

12. If you can afford to go to the next price level of flute, then compare your lower priced flute with the higher priced flute in the same way.

• Make sure the differences you hear and feel justify the additional cost for your playing purposes.

Text prepared by Valerie Simosko, Marketing Manager, Flutes for Conn-Selmer, Inc.