Hi
One of my pupils is seriously considering upgrading her student flute (Yamaha which she has had for 5 years). She passed grade 5 last year and is working on grade 6 scales and repertoire.
I have tried searching on this topic but haven't come up with any threads - so apologies for repeating a question.
What should she go for?
I have had only one pupil in the past in this situation and she went for the T.James Cantabile.
Maybe I should push this pupil to spend a bit more? - as she is only 13 and doing well.
We are in the Northwest and I'm not sure they are up for a trip to London to try out flutes. Where is a good place to go to try out flutes. I don't think that Forsyth's (M/C) has many different flutes in stock (great for pianos though!). So far they have visited Curly's Woodwind in Liverpool.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Janet

What?! You can't get a decent flute from Curlys?! (Just don't go to Dawsons for heavens sake! or Rimmers in Southport!)

Try Forsyths in Manchester In fact John Myatt is VERY good for woodwind! I'd probably say get a Pearl Quantz or whatever Or a TJJ Virtuoso, or if they can REALLY afford it, a Miyazawa PA101

Silver head armstrong - 430E assuming you want open holes.

Liz

I'd look at three options: either a Miyazawa PA101 or an Altus 807 if the family can stretch to over £1000, or look at upgrading the headjoint of the Yamaha. The TJ Cantabile and Virtuoso won't give much more in the way of tone colours etc. over the Yamaha; likewise the Yamaha 311 and 411. All these are really just solid versions of student instruments.

I don't know about music shops in the north of England, but some of the better ones round here are prepared to order flutes/headjoints of this sort of quality in for approval. Or you could wait until August and visit the BFS convention at the RNCM.

Woah...what's this that happens at the RNCM?

British Flute Society convention. Take a look here for details.

Thank you muchly! If it all pans out, I may see you there if you're going

It's quite expensive Not to mention I can't pay online

Yes that's a point - silver heads for yamahas are quite cheap these days.

Liz

Well, yes, but you don't have to restrict yourself to a Yamaha headjoint. I had a student whose grandfather bought her a Michael Allen handmade headjoint which went on her Yamaha body, giving her the capabilities of a professional flute for around £600.

Thanks for your replies.
I shall have to find out how much they will spend!

if they are upto a trip to london, i got my new flute at TopWind, its a great place, and most of you will have heard of it, i'm sure.

Top Wind in London are heavenly (make sure you talk to one of the men though). They are soooo eager to help and regularly mend my flute for free and chucked in vast quantities of freebies with my flute! I ring them up for music all the time, they hardly need to ask my details, and they are always willing to dispense with lots of advice. I would however make sure you go with a respected flute teacher, apparently students going by themselves have found the shop quite intimidating. They have sound proofed rooms in which they will bring you any number of flutes. I was there with my teacher for a good few hours. It is also just outside Waterloo station.
With regards to which flute, the Miyazawa is divine, but I chose to have the Miyazawa PA101 body with an Andrew Oxley head. It's harder to get used to but sounds so amazing that it's quite often unbelievable.
Did you say that your pupil has a Yamaha already? I had the basic student model until my grade 8 and it got me some amazing results in both exams and auditions. I don't think that a new instrument is always vital.
Sarah x