I'm a student aspiring to play in a ballet orchestra for my career. I won't be ablr to afford a new flute for a while. But since I would like a flute to last me well into my career, I've started looking, learning about different makes, models etc.
In order for my career choice, which do you think; a C foot or a B foot? What are the differences? Does the fingering change for a B foot? Is the highest note a B with the B foot? Which do you think would be most advisable? Please help,

Flute Pastil x

If you want to do orchestral work you will need a B foot. This will enable you to play the b below middle c which occurs often in orchestral pieces.

Yup, B foot for orchestral stuff and open hole. Intonation up the top end can be a bit iffy with the B foot but you soon learn to adjust. Good luck.

I am not a professional flute player but I am having lessons with one.
Her flute is a "C" flute and I don't believe that she has a "B"foot - I shall ask her about this.
When I bought myself a new flute 3 years ago I did note that you get could get an extra "B" foot for certain flutes - maybe this is the answer- to have an interchangeable footjoint when you occasionally need one.
I have yet to meet any flute player who plays with a "B" foot as a regular thing. Although this doesn't mean that lots of people don't do this.
I shall be interested to her any other opinions on this and shall post again if I find any more info.

Hi Flute Pastil

A B foot is more or less essential for Orchestral repertoire -plenty of examples in Richard Strauss, Schostakovitch, Tchaikovsky and especially Mahler . Most of my professional colleagues have a B foot which they use as and when required, preferring the response of the instrument without it.
when I bought my new flute some years back, I had previously played on a B foot instrument but was appalled to discover it was an extra £1000 on the new instrument ! so I got the C foot version.
Pros: Can play low B! , better tuning on top C (add RH 2 3 and the b key)
Cons: Heavier to hold , Balance is altered , Sound is slightly darker( I see this as an advantage!)
On the subject of playing in a ballet orchestra, I wouldn't limit yourself too much , everyone I know who plays in one came up through freelancing in all kinds of orchestras- Opera, West end type shows, Standard concert repertoire, Chamber music , Contemporary Music- in fact you are unlikely to develop the skills needed unless a wide range of music has been explored.
On your other questions -no change in fingering required, top note remains the same, The ideal solution is a C foot instrument with a separate B foot if you can afford it. Very best of luck

i too want to join an orchestra!!!

but i was told by my teacher not to get one with a B-foot as its not used often.

She said you can play a B while playing the lowest C and then sticking your finger into the flute at the end

LOL!

but im just getting a C foot flute but definately with open hole

If you can manage to stick a finger in the end of a flute while playing a low C I'll be amazed.

I mean, wouldn't you need like, an extra finger, seeing a C1 involved them all?

Or did I miss something somewhere?

lol that was what i was thinking

maybe someone else sticks their finger in to give you a B?

altho it may still look weird lol!

Quizzed my flute teacher about "B" foots this week.
She doesn't have one and said that flautists don't tend to play with them on a regular basis.
She borrows a "B" foot when she needs one!!