Photos of your collection!

[Mr.Gumby]

I also included two rather expensive wooden ones which are considered of being of high quality and I like wood anyway. That way i can't blame my fails on the instrument, ha ha ha. Since I own pretty high quality guitars, a flute for around 175 to 199 Euros is still acceptable for me and I dared to order both.

I am sorry to say it but in the world of flutes a decent keyless one may set you back as much as 6-700 euro or more. The two flutes in your picture are considered very cheap ones and you may want to read the thread on Pakistani/cheap Ebay flutes on the flute forum.

Anyhow, welcome and good luck.

[Inner Light]

a decent keyless one may set you back as much as 6-700 euro or more. The two flutes in your picture are considered very cheap

Thanx, Mr.Gumby.
Yes, I know, there's way more expensive high end flutes out there but compared to 20 bucks eBay flutes I've seen, I consider these already expensive for a pure beginner. Since they're fives (that's what they're called in English, right?) and pretty different from whistles in playing style, I didn't want to spend 500 bucks or more for each right away. I don't even know yet, whether I will like playing fives or better stay with whistles.

I'll try both for a while and after finding a decision, I'll decide about higher priced professional instruments.

I'll check out the thread you mentioned... tx!

[Mr.Gumby]

It's worth checking the fluteforum, for recommended beginner flutes, Casey Burns' folkflute is often recommended and as PVC alternative Doug Tipple seems to be in favour. Buying a flute, and in your case it seems two, that rolled out of some anonymous factory that may or may not be playable at all can prove the more expensive alternative (not to mention turn out seriously discouraging).

Starting out though it's probably good to concentrate on whistles for a while at least,. the flute is a more physical instrument that demands a bit more of a commitment, especially the first year or so.

Hope it all works out well for you.

[Inner Light]

Thanx for the advice!

Since I bought the two wooden fives from a well known and large German shop, I'm pretty confident that I didn't order any crappy Pakistan junk.
They have a good reputation, so I think the flutes will be at least perfectly playable.

If not, I can give them back, no probs.

In that case, I'd really rather go for a Sweetheart or a Shannon (by Walt Sweet) then, which I had already my eyes on.

Here's where I bought my two wooden Irish Flutes:
http://folkfriends.com/shop/home.php

[MTGuru]

two wooden fives

I think it really is fifes in English. Here is a wooden five:



And welcome!

[Inner Light]

two wooden fives

I think it really is fifes in English. Here is a wooden five:



And welcome!

Thanx, MTGuru!

[megapop]

Here's where I bought my two wooden Irish Flutes:
http://folkfriends.com/shop/home.php

I already wondered why a specialised and quite well-reputed shop like folkfriends sells no-name flutes you would rather expect on ebay... this is especially strange, as they are comparatively expensive in this context...

[Sirchronique]

Here's where I bought my two wooden Irish Flutes:
http://folkfriends.com/shop/home.php

I already wondered why a specialised and quite well-reputed shop like folkfriends sells no-name flutes you would rather expect on ebay... this is especially strange, as they are comparatively expensive in this context...

If you look around on their website, they sell good quality things, intermixed with junk. Of course it's business, and having lower budget items will make more money. I do not think anything is wrong with folkfriends, and I do like how they put up videos of many of their items. However, I do not think it's a good idea to assume something is good just becuase a certain store carries it. Those instruments on the website are manufactured by different people, with different standards of quality.

Just because a store sells one good thing, doesn't mean their other items are of the same quality. It's always important to know who made your instrument. If that information isn't out there, it's probably for a reason.

[benhall.1]

They’re not fifes in any case, as I understand the word. They appear to be sold as D flutes. The word “fife” generally applies to smaller, higher pitched instruments intended for marching band use and the like.

There are some strange descriptions on that Folkfriends site. For instance, unless “Cokus” wood means something different in German, that flute isn’t made out of Cocus wood as I know it.

Learning to play flute to an acceptable standard takes a huge amount of commitment in time and energy. If those flutes turn out to be unplayable instruments – and they do look remarkably similar to various Pakistani FLOs (“flute-like objects”), including having the same sort of case – then the effort that you put in will be worse than wasted, because you still won’t be able to play, and the instrument will have led you in the wrong direction. In that case Mr. Gumby’s earlier warning will turn out to have been well-placed. I don’t believe that cheap instruments = beginners’ instruments. Quite the reverse.

My strong suggestion would be to show those flutes to a good player of Irish flute, and act on their comments. If they say they’re fine, then great. As a beginner, you’re not going to be able to tell whether those flutes are playable or not.

[Inner Light]

Just because a store sells one good thing, doesn't mean their other items are of the same quality. It's always important to know who made your instrument. If that information isn't out there, it's probably for a reason.

That, of course, is absolutely true.
I think I'll give them a call to cancel that order and better get another one.

They’re not fifes in any case, as I understand the word. They appear to be sold as D flutes. The word “fife” generally applies to smaller, higher pitched instruments intended for marching band use and the like.

My strong suggestion would be to show those flutes to a good player of Irish flute, and act on their comments. If they say they’re fine, then great. As a beginner, you’re not going to be able to tell whether those flutes are playable or not.

I see, thank you. I looked it up now, it's "transverse flute" in English (sometimes called "German flute" as well), based on the flute position while playing.
So I understand that "fifes" referres to a certain type of transverse flutes.

Regarding the experienced flute player: I don't know anyone. Just moved here and I'm not familiar with the music scene yet. Very rural area (dead as dead can be ).
I think cancelling the order is probably the best idea!

[kkrell]

I think cancelling the order is probably the best idea!

Hurry!

If you let us know where you are, there might indeed be some flute players within a reasonable distance.

[megapop]

Just because a store sells one good thing, doesn't mean their other items are of the same quality. It's always important to know who made your instrument. If that information isn't out there, it's probably for a reason.

That, of course, is absolutely true.
I think I'll give them a call to cancel that order and better get another one.

My suspicion is that they seem to know a lot about, say, whistles, but don't really have a clue about flutes, and just sell this stuff because they don't know better (just to have covered this area).
They do however have some reasonable flutes for sale, like the Shannon or Sweetheart you mentioned (you'll find very good reviews of those here)... as you ordered two flutes anyway, the money would be invested much better in one good flute, I'd say.
Also, they sell the Tony Dixon one-piece conical model (it's a bit hidden). That's not the best flute out there of course, but I think it's decent for the money; it's fully playable and in tune. I got this flute as a gateway drug myself. The shape and size of the embouchure hole make it especially easy to blow, although at the expense of dynamics and focus (as far as I can judge). So it's not a satisfying instrument on the long run (not at all), but quite rewarding to learn on; also, if you decide that flute playing is no fun for you (not likely), you haven't spent too much money. Otherwise, the Dixon is still a nice camping flute.

I do like how they put up videos of many of their items.

Me too!

[Inner Light]

I think cancelling the order is probably the best idea!

Hurry!

If you let us know where you are, there might indeed be some flute players within a reasonable distance.

DONE!!
I cancelled the order and it was no problem at all.

I'm in Hessen, Germany. Right at the edge to the Edersee (artificial lake), area Korbach city.

[Inner Light]

RECENT UPDATE:

a few sales and purchases later....

My final(???) flute sortiment. (I can't promise, though, that there won't be more NAFs. I've absolutely fallen in love with them! Mesmerizing tone!!)

Below the NAF stand (all High Spirits Flutes, USA) there are my present whistles I excercise with (or not, actually I only play 3 of them).
Dixon Low D
Generation Bb (gift from my wife, very nice sound, my #2 of all)
Clarke Sweetone D (nice tone but I prefer the Walton's)
Walton's Mellow D (my favorite)
Shaw D (well .... it looks nice and plays great but too much of air noise and weak sound, not what I'm looking for but I'll keep it)

I sold the rest, including the Irish flute (Sweetheart). Transverse flutes are not made for me. Much too uncomfortable playing position. Fortunately I could give it back for full refund.

[Sirchronique]

That is actually a generation Bb (The Bb I believe I recommended to you, and you said would be too breathy! ), not an Eb. Glad you like it!