Help please with flute

Gleeful

lucylou wrote: »

what do you think of this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Flute-BRICCIALDI-ITALY-closed-holes-engraved-keys-/350375699446?pt=UK_Woodwind_Instruments

Seems too good to be true. I've never heard of that make.

Google all the brands you see, find reviews.

I wouldn't buy off ebay unless I was sure what I was getting.

lucylou

http://www.johnpacker.co.uk/Catalogue/Woodwind/Flute-Piccolo/Flute/Student/Trevor-James-Flute-C-3031E-TJ10x-Mark-III-SP-100056?gclid=CPXzocXxx6MCFYyB3godRDSCuA
is this a good one for beginners?

iamana1ias

lucylou wrote: »

http://www.johnpacker.co.uk/Catalogue/Woodwind/Flute-Piccolo/Flute/Student/Trevor-James-Flute-C-3031E-TJ10x-Mark-III-SP-100056?gclid=CPXzocXxx6MCFYyB3godRDSCuA
is this a good one for beginners?

It would be, but it's quite pricey if you've never attempted to play one before.

Could you hire one to see if you get on with it before forking out?

lucylou

do most music shops hire them?

MarzipanFish

I learnt on a buffet crampon one for 7 years or so when i was younger. I did grades 1-5 on it along with playing in various woodwind bands. I remember my teacher recommending getting a yamaha once i started working towards grade 6 but i'd lost interest a bit by then and never did.

It's a fairly common beginers flute (lots of people i knew who were learning had the same) and not a super quality flute but it's reasonably priced (as low as £60 buy it now on ebay 2nd hand) Personally i would also take it to a good music shop for a service if getting a 2nd hand one, or at least get someone who knows what to look for to check it out.

Sillystudent

I bought a second hand Trevor James to learn on and still have it to this day. Fantastic quality flute compared to cheaper flutes. I'm not a fan of Yamahas either. I achieved my grade 8 when I was 15.

Contrary to an earlier post I would say the flute is very much like the recorder - very similar fingering (including the back 'thumb' key).

You can teach yourself the flute but be careful you don't get into bad habits. Remember to keep your chin up and your flute parallel to the ground.

I would reccomend getting a teacher though if you plan to sit ABRSM grades or similar.

I also play the piccolo - this instrument uses the same principles as a flute but is pitched to a higher octave than the flute and is a little trickier to play (once you have accomplished the flute you could more easily move on to the pic).

iamana1ias

Sillystudent wrote: »

Contrary to an earlier post I would say the flute is very much like the recorder - very similar fingering (including the back 'thumb' key).

Fingering, yes. Completely different mouth technique. You don't need much skill to blow into a recorder, whereas it's a skill to get clear/soft/clean sound out of a flute, and even more to get nice vibrato and toning. And don't get me started on double tonguing and circular breathing!

Sillystudent

iamana1ias wrote: »

Fingering, yes. Completely different mouth technique. You don't need much skill to blow into a recorder, whereas it's a skill to get clear/soft/clean sound out of a flute, and even more to get nice vibrato and toning. And don't get me started on double tonguing and circular breathing!

Of course it's a different mouthpiece! Goes without saying!

Clarinet, Oboe and Saxophone are all similar fingering to the flute.

As a flautist I can turn my hand to any of the above instruments with ease. The skills you pick up from playing the flute are transferable to a number of instruments.

As for 'double tonguing' this is not just for use on the flute but also applicable to the above instruments.

I also do believe there is a certain amount of 'skill' required to blow into a recorder. Not too hard / soft etc. Of course the way you 'blow' into a flute is different, because it is a different instrument, but it doesn't mean it requires any more or less skill than any other wind instrument.

fluffymuffy

Sillystudent wrote: »

Remember to keep your ... flute parallel to the ground.

No, don't do that. Unless you're in a marching band.

Gingham_Ribbon

I'd recommend a Yamaha flute and an Abracadabra beginners' book. :j