HI everyone! I'm feeling a little bit disgruntled with my flute at the moment, and it's a feeling that's been growing for a while if I'm honest. I've currently got a Pearl student flute that cost around £400 ish and I got it just before taking my grade 5 which was 3 years ago as my first flute (I'd rented for nearly a year before). At the time it was great, and it's got a nice sound. The mechanism hasn't been all that good though -needing a lot of repairs and so on, but now it just feels soooo clunky to play, and makes so much noise! I'm also starting to feel as if it's not being as responsive as I'd like it to be in terms of tone colour and articulation. Now I don't know if it's me being pernickety, or because I've just started a whole load of diploma repertoire that needs more precise sounds etc. I don't think it's my techinique though, as when I've played my friends' flutes which have cost thousands, they just feel and play so much better. So I guess my question is - should I just carry on and stop whining about things people listening probably wouldn't notice, or should I begin to think about asking my parents if they could think about a new flute for me? (since I now have a job I could pay for some but not all of it, so would need their input )

Edit - I should probably add that I took my grade 8 on this flute and it was fine.

Have you talked to your teacher about it?

With the disclaimer that I have not had a student upgrade a flute, but am thinking about this just from my personal experience...

I upgraded without a teacher's advice (it was the only option at the time - my flute was stolen and I had no teacher) and now I regret that I had to buy my instrument in a rush, even though it's a perfectly good one - if I had been able to hold off for a year or two OR if I had had a teacher to advise me I would have had more options and probably ended up with something more flexible.

It's not holding me back per se, but I know now that I could have got "more flute for my money" and something that I probably would never have felt the need to replace from that point of view, whereas as it stands if I could upgrade my current flute I probably would, and I will get to the stage where it may become an issue - if nothing else, I find a solid silver flute is hard/heavy to play when my health isn't what it could be. If your teacher or someone else can provide input then you're less likely to make a an expensive mistake in your purchase.

Surprised you're having so many probs with the mech as that is one area that Pearl flutes (IME!) tend to be good. Has the flute been serviced? A good service can make a flute play as well (in some cases better!) than when you first bought it! (Even if you decide to sell it, having it in top nick may mean you get more for it!)

Don't be too blinded by flutes that cost thousands if you can get your current flute into a state where the mech isn't giving you problems. You may find you could then get a really fab headjoint and not actually have to upgrade the body, for example... Remember, it's not the flute you blow, it's how you blow your flute...

That said, if you're starting in on diploma stuff on a student flute then an upgrade might be appropriate; I'd just personally strongly recommend talking to your teacher as a starting point

Thanks for your thoughtful reply Sorry, I obviously didn;t make it clear in my original post that I'm not planning on doing anything now, but I'm just starting to think about it as a possibility - my parents are going to need a LOT of persuasion! From their point of view, a flute is a flute And yes, of course I wouldn't dream of doing anything without my teacher - she's the expert not me! Several people have been suprised with the mechanism as well - I've had it serviced a few times including just recently (maybe 4 months ago).
I think the thing is - I feel that I could do a lot more with a flute like some of my friends have (eg one has a muramatsu at grade 5 aged 17) than the one I have now but it'll be difficult to justify spending very much for something that's "just a hobby" when I'm going to uni in a year to do something totally unrelated (results depending!) I spoke to my parents earlier about how I was feeling but didn't mention upgrading, and they said to ask my teacher about it...so I'll see what she says in September I just wanted to make sure I'm not being totally stupid or unrealistic first!

Ahhh I see - then yeah, I'd suggest that you starting dropping subtle hints (and saving like crazy!) asap

Do you have any kind of savings account? If you could pay into it regularly, you'll be that much less likely to fritter away spare pennies (all too easily done) and it will be getting you some interest too... I always found that a good incentive to save


Groovy - thought you would say so, but it's not always taken as read so figured it was worth saying. Maybe talk to your teacher about the mech on your Pearl, too - 4 months after a service I'm surprised it's giving you such problems maybe you were just really unlucky. If you decide to sell it maybe it would be worth doing so through one of the big flute stores that does 2nd hand flutes - you will, I think, get less of the profit but at least you won't be responsible for getting into sellable condition.


I don't think you're being unrealistic, personally. It might not pan out, but I don't think it's crazy to at least look into the possibilities. Don't pin all your hopes on it, but start doing some research into it and see what is realistic (ie you will know if you can afford £900 or several grand!). There are also things like the "Take it away" scheme which at least would spread the payments out a bit, if something is just beyond your price range.

If your parents have said talk to your teacher, then that is a great place to start IMO as she will know you and your playing and be able to help you make the best use of your money; also she may be more in a position to convince your parents that you might actually need an upgrade (rather than just wanting one!). Clearly, they are not totally ruling it out if they said to talk to her! So it's not a hopeless case.

One more thing to think about - there's a good possibility that this might be your last upgrade, or at least your last till you're an adult and having to pay with your own money. So find any way you can of making your cash work for you and getting a flute that is going to last your both mechanically and musically.

For instance, some shops sell refurbished flutes that may be more affordable and potentially a bargain whilst actually being better than the instrument you can obtain new. Also think about getting a really really good headjoint on a servicable (ie good make but not highest spec) flute... stuff like that may go some way towards making it a viable prospect as opposed to a pipe dream. Look into things like, say, the Azumi, that have a relatively basic body but a handmade head.

Basically, do your research so you have an idea of what is and is not possible - ie so you don't set your heart on a high range Mura and then find you can't get near it.

You may find that what is viable is just not worthwhile (though if you're playing a student instrument then you really should be able to find something within the bounds of reason that will make a difference, I think...), in which case at least you tried, and you can still start saving so that you have a nice nest egg saved up for when you're in a position to do something about it.

Anyway - hope you will get some more experienced advice too! But it sounds like you're going about it the right way, so... good luck

edit: it would be worth checking out if your school does the VAT scheme whereby you buy the instrument through them and don't have to pay VAT. I don't know how it works, and if choice is limited, but that could seriously dent the amount you needed to spend

I really can relate to that. Currently, I feel the same way about mine. Thus, I am somewhat in a similar situation. The problem I see, however, is that the upgrade to a flute would really go into the thousands. Especially since it would cost already EUR 2.500 to replace mine with an identical one. I have the Yamaha 511 sterling series similar to todays 614. And even this flute has serious limitations.

I have had the opportunity to try several flutes recently. And the ones able to do what I wanted to do - and I am currently only Grade 6 - have a price range of EUR 8.000 (Yamaha 800 series). And it isn't the brand. In this category almost all producers ask that much. That's ####### loads of money. In that retrospect, my flute doesn't sound so bad at all. It still can do lots of things others don't and I have other loads of things to learn. But I have to admit, I started saving. It might become an issue when I make the grade 8 exam in 2 1/2 years.

I think the question is, what you want to do with it. If you just reach a point where it limits you in playing but you don't pursue a professional career whatsoever, let the matter drop for a while. It's an annoyance, but you can go for a beauty later on. If you go for a diploma or a place at acadamy, it's probably a different matter. A teacher to talk to is a good start. But in your case, an upgrade for just a few hundred pounds would probably not do the trick you hope for.

If you are post Grade 8 and looking at diploma material then you will need to upgrade sooner rather than later. A student flute won't give you the responsiveness you need for this level of repertoire. You've had lots of good advice already. Secondhand is definitely worth considering; I know from experience of selling through them that JustFlutes in Croydon insist on their excellent flute tech doing any necessary work on the flutes they list before they will advertise them, so there are no risks in buying from there. Not sure what Topwind's policy is; All Flutes Plus tell you the condition of the flutes they sell so you can be reasonably informed.

Thank you all so much for your input I really appreciate it! Sarah - I'm pretty sure that my school doesn't run the VAT scheme as it's an independent school (I'll need to check though, but when I bought my flute in my last year of prep school it wasn't available for private schools ) The Take It Away Scheme sounds brilliant though and definitely something that I would want to consider doing!
Yes, this would most probably be my first and last upgrade at least until all student loans etc are paid off (so like 10 years time! ) and therefore I would want to really make it something special. Although I would obviously spend a reasonable amount but not anything over £2000 (I think my parents would faint!) So I've been looking at things in that sort of range from JustFLutes.
Earlier today I mentioned maybe thinking about getting a better flute.... and the reaction was frosty to say the least. I probably did the wrong thing by asking in English (we're Italian) but I don't know words for things like responsiveness and articulation; they're not things you'd say in every day conversation All is not lost though - nobody actually said outright "NO" so I guess I'll have to keep chipping away and see whether my teacher can do any convincing! Thank you so much though everyone - i feel like I've got lots of options up my sleeve that I can quote to show I'm serious about this

I note you're 17, FluteDiva. Why not ask for a new flute (or a hefty chunk towards it) for your 18th? Most parents like to spend a bit more on an 18th present than for an ordinary birthday, and if you're intending to play your flute as a lifetime hobby it would be nice to be able to look back and think, "I got this for my 18th".

Oooh what a fantastic idea to have a flute for my 18th! It seems so obvious now but i hadn't thought about it like that! Maybe I could ask my grandparents to help out as well and then it would really be something that I could treasure later on, like you said

Great idea BM!

My parents were of the 'a clarinet's a clarinet' mindset. I could still hug my classroom teacher (a clarinettist) for explaining to my Dad at a parents' evening that my plastic Regent was limiting my progress and as I was already entered for G8 a better instrument would really help.

That was my 16th birthday and Christmas present. For my 18th they bought me my much loved A clarinet, and my 1st Eb for my 21st. My bass was purchased with money my Gran left in her will. Whilst the Bb and the Eb have since been upgraded the original ones. I had asked for (and often received!) instruments for birthday/Christmas presents from the age of 9 all of them are really cherished and I can remember what occaision each was for!

Ahhh unfortunately, yes, I think you're right about the VAT scheme - I think you've mentioned before you're at an independent school, but I forgot Hope the Take It Away scheme might be more helpful!

Sounds like you're doing your research which is cool, and having a ballpark figure will help too. Definitely keep an eye on 2nd hand lists etc too.

When you talk to your teacher also think about needs vs wants, ie you might settle for a body with a workhorse mech (ie reliable and not going to hold you back, just not that exciting) that you can upgrade later and pair it with a really splendid headjoint.

Or you and your teacher might not feel you're ready to be sure what kind of headjoint you want/might consider a certain flute appropriate in its entirity with the thought that you might one day upgrade further but you have something that will last you for a good few years - in which case, you might want to consider resale value into the bargain of a "whole" instrument.

The fact you have thought about this kind of thing will stand you in good stead with the actual buying of the instrument and may also help when convincing parents later (if you can show you're making the best possible long term use of the money).

Hope that makes sense?? I may be repeating myself... it's been a long week! I'm just kind of waffling out ideas here at least you've also had some advice from more experienced folks


I think getting your teacher in on the act could really help. Parents tend to react better (even if they may still totally not understand that a flute is not just a flute) if a teacher is saying it's a need rather than the student... I recall one particular thread from a lad who wanted (said he "needed") a new clarinet, but "my teacher doesn't think I'm ready", and in a lesser way that happens a lot. It carries much more weight if a teacher says it!


^ excellent idea - if you can also convince other friends/relatives/siblings to chip in with large or small amounts (even fivers add up) then you might really be on to something Save like crazy yourself, too, to show that you are serious about the whole thing. If they are still reluctant, maybe offer the idea of combining it with a Christmas present too?!? See how many relatives you can rope in. Worst case scenario, if you could ask for donations towards a flute savings account from some of your relations instead of presents for upcoming birthdays and Christmases, you could at least make a start on saving.

Anyway - waffling - good luck with it, hope you find a way to get your hands on something more appropriate.

Aww thank you again for being so helpful and giving your time I'm storing all these ideas away for future use if and when the time comes. I'm working on my dad with the idea that it's like upgrading golf clubs - although the old one did essentially the same thing, the new one does it easier and more efficiently, and allows the player to develop. I'm not sure if I got the message accross to my parents quite clearly enough - they've spent most of today telling me that my flute is sounding really good and they kept on coming in to my practice room to discuss upcoming concerts etc - they so obviously think I'm having a mid-teen confidence crisis! So then I launched into how I might benefit from a better quality flute etc... and my parents laughed and then said maybe after we've gone back to Italy to visit various distant relatives (the point being that we're strapped for cash) so now I feel bad

Just a thought: maybe you could mention to your dad that it's also like adding another golf club to his golf bag - I mean, I'm no golfer, but I presume one is unlikely to start with a full set of irons and woods and what have you. Explain to him that you want to exchange a basic set of half a dozen golf clubs which aren't that high quality for a set that has a dozen golf clubs all of which are of higher quality... so you can make your existing shots more easily and add some new shots to your repertoire...

Does that analogy work?!?! I don't play or even remotely understand golf, but... might be worth a try

I'll try it... I feel really bad now though about the whole cost of it (We're seriously not rich... although I go to a top school, I'm on a full scholarship and my brother is on 50% scholarship at a different school) So I'll have to do lots of convincing and being nice to random visitng relatives and pouring tea etc I do think the Take It Away scheme would make things much more viable though - because then I could use my job to pay for most of it each month, and make up the rest from birthdays etc. And the 18th birthday would be a good plan - my mum is already planning a party (cringe - I don't want a million people making a fuss; I'm really quiet in real life ) - so I might be on to something there. (It's a really big deal to be 18 in our family )

I liked this not sure how well it would work though




Are you not best getting it now whilst you can get vat off throught he school?? Thats another one you could try will be cheaper for em.

It is difficult isn't it? The older you get, the more you realise how much your parents put in to all these things... hope you manage to work out a viable plan.

You could suggest to your parents and friends that all you really want for your 18th is a new flute, and ask your mum if she could perhaps reply "she would love it if you put some money towards a new flute" to any and all birthday present suggestions. My parents did a similar thing for my 21st for a CD player for my car, back when these things were new (and I used it pretty much every day for 10 years!) It would also be worth mentioning it to school friends as well. My friend Jill really, really wanted an expensive teddy bear for her 18th and so ten of us (I think) all put ?10 towards this teddy bear and went with her to choose it. (?100 was expensive for a teddy bear in 1993! ) I felt far happier about putting some money towards something I knew she really wanted, instead of getting her a CD or something.

100 is expensive for a teddy bear in2009 :-D