Inexpensive beginner's flutes
- celtic_lass
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Inexpensive beginner's flutes
Eventually, I'd like to learn the flute (keyless). What are some good, inexpensive flutes? I've seen some of the wooden ones, but they're out of my price range.
Sara
Jesus is the bridge beneath my strings, and the breath that blows my whistle.
Jesus is the bridge beneath my strings, and the breath that blows my whistle.
Inexpensive flute
Honestly, there are two things to keep in mind, here.
1) Get going, as soon as you can. Get the first flute you could possibly acquire, perhaps even a "free" flute as a donation to you; put the word out that you have an interest in a study of the flute, and, although it may come as a surprise to you, a flute could suddenly pop out of the woodwork, so to speak. There are many, many unused flutes out there, just waiting for a new home. And while you are at it, locate a reliable, and qualified, flute repair person, one in your neighborhood, because the odds are that any low cost, or free, flute will likely be in need of some repair. Come to think of it, find the repair person first, who just may be able to find the flute you are looking for, and then you will have accomplished two things at once.
2) Expensive flutes quite often do play better than low cost flutes, but you have asked for a challenge. On the down side, you will be required to compensate for the musical qualities of a lesser grade flute, but just keep your musical ear intact, tell the flute what to do, and you will thereby gain valuable experience. On the up side, the experience you gain on a low cost flute will eventually be more than rewarded should you later acquire a better one.
Good hunting!!
1) Get going, as soon as you can. Get the first flute you could possibly acquire, perhaps even a "free" flute as a donation to you; put the word out that you have an interest in a study of the flute, and, although it may come as a surprise to you, a flute could suddenly pop out of the woodwork, so to speak. There are many, many unused flutes out there, just waiting for a new home. And while you are at it, locate a reliable, and qualified, flute repair person, one in your neighborhood, because the odds are that any low cost, or free, flute will likely be in need of some repair. Come to think of it, find the repair person first, who just may be able to find the flute you are looking for, and then you will have accomplished two things at once.
2) Expensive flutes quite often do play better than low cost flutes, but you have asked for a challenge. On the down side, you will be required to compensate for the musical qualities of a lesser grade flute, but just keep your musical ear intact, tell the flute what to do, and you will thereby gain valuable experience. On the up side, the experience you gain on a low cost flute will eventually be more than rewarded should you later acquire a better one.
Good hunting!!
- dyersituations
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I started on a M&E polymer just about six months ago, and I am loving the flute. It isn't wood, but I like the material. I have heard the flute is a little heavier than a wood flute, but I have gotten used to it. The sounds is good, it is loud enough for sessions, and I don't have to worry about cracks. They are a little more expensive ($380 new I think), but they go used fairly often. I would recommend it.
-Casey
-Casey
Life is good.
- Matt_Paris
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- celtic_lass
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Re: Inexpensive flute
Boy, you sure weren't kidding Cork about free flutes! Someone sent me a PM about a couple of PVCs they aren't using anymore (thanks Chas!). I think this could give me a good start, and eventually I can work my way up to a more expensive flute. I'll keep my eye out on used flutes that "need a good home." lol Thanks for the warning about Pakistan made flutes. Well, I guess my next step now is to get a good book!Cork wrote: Get going, as soon as you can. Get the first flute you could possibly acquire, perhaps even a "free" flute as a donation to you; put the word out that you have an interest in a study of the flute, and, although it may come as a surprise to you, a flute could suddenly pop out of the woodwork, so to speak. There are many, many unused flutes out there, just waiting for a new home.
Sara
Jesus is the bridge beneath my strings, and the breath that blows my whistle.
Jesus is the bridge beneath my strings, and the breath that blows my whistle.
Congradulations!!
Hey there, and congradulations on your find!!
Sorry I went rabid on you yesterday, but I was very tired and just went into generic flute search mode, without really thinking. After all, you did specify that you were only looking for a keyless flute, which are not too hard to find.
One of these days I hope to learn to shut this Inter-thingy off when tired, before doing such brainless things.
Anyway, if you go to the web site of Terry McGee, Flutemaker, and tour around his pages, you can there find some fingering charts, which should be of some help. Let your ear be your guide.
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com
Enjoy!!
Sorry I went rabid on you yesterday, but I was very tired and just went into generic flute search mode, without really thinking. After all, you did specify that you were only looking for a keyless flute, which are not too hard to find.
One of these days I hope to learn to shut this Inter-thingy off when tired, before doing such brainless things.
Anyway, if you go to the web site of Terry McGee, Flutemaker, and tour around his pages, you can there find some fingering charts, which should be of some help. Let your ear be your guide.
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com
Enjoy!!
- pipersgrip
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http://www.eriktheflutemaker.com/ this guy makes great flutes for a very low price. he is a great honest man.
"In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart." John Bunyan
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Hello, this is my first post. I have been playing whistle for awhile now and am interested in learning to play flute. I tried making my own PVC flute but that didn't turn out so well. I think learning to do the emboucher would be easier on an existing flute, but I can't find a flute I can afford right now (the cheapest I've found is about $70). I know this probably isn't the best way to introduce myself, but since celtic_lass was offered one, I don't suppose anybody else has an extra cheap flute laying around somewhere?
- dow
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Hi Woodwhistler, and welcome. You can get a great flute from Doug Tipple in D for $55.00 http://dougsflutes.googlepages.com/home. I ordered the two-piece in D for my first flute, and I still have it. Played it a bit yesterday as a matter of fact. While you can also get the add-ons like the wedge and a lip plate, these aren't necessary (well, the wedge may be, but you can add it later).
Dow Mathis ∴
Boerne, TX
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently motivated fool.
Boerne, TX
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently motivated fool.
- Henke
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If I would make a list about the different levels of simple system flutes it would look something like this. (From the bottom and up)
1. Cylindrical flutes, PVC or cane usually. Most inexpensive, some seems to be very playable, but they aren't really meant for serious sessions and preformances. Tipple PVC and Olwell bamboo get best reviews. Price range: around $50 to $100+
2. Simple Conical instruments. These are usually made of wood or polymer and are conical like the "real" Irish flutes. They are usually all wood, simple 2 or 3 piece construction and lack tuning slides. The best in this range seem to be Burns Folk Flute and Dixon 3pc polymer. Price range: $200 to $300+
3. Conical polymer flutes. These are turned out in large numbers by the makers and don't have as high a level of craftsmanship as the "top notch" flutes. However, they are modelled after great originals like R&R and Pratten, they are fully feathured and play almost like the best of them. Many pro players and serious amatures use these as session flutes. This range include M&E and Seery. I won't put Jon C here since he has risen far above this level (in terms of craftmanship mainly), but he also makes polymer instruments. Price range: around $400
1. Cylindrical flutes, PVC or cane usually. Most inexpensive, some seems to be very playable, but they aren't really meant for serious sessions and preformances. Tipple PVC and Olwell bamboo get best reviews. Price range: around $50 to $100+
2. Simple Conical instruments. These are usually made of wood or polymer and are conical like the "real" Irish flutes. They are usually all wood, simple 2 or 3 piece construction and lack tuning slides. The best in this range seem to be Burns Folk Flute and Dixon 3pc polymer. Price range: $200 to $300+
3. Conical polymer flutes. These are turned out in large numbers by the makers and don't have as high a level of craftsmanship as the "top notch" flutes. However, they are modelled after great originals like R&R and Pratten, they are fully feathured and play almost like the best of them. Many pro players and serious amatures use these as session flutes. This range include M&E and Seery. I won't put Jon C here since he has risen far above this level (in terms of craftmanship mainly), but he also makes polymer instruments. Price range: around $400
- celtic_lass
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celtic_lass, that's amazing that somebody donated flutes to you. How fortunate! I'm a little embarrassed saying this, but I could use a donation plastic flute for my daughter. She plays the tinwhistle at Feises and does well, but she's really interested in playing the Irish flute. I had hoped to find a student flute for her in the price range of a plastic Yamaha recorder, but the lowest price I've seen for a decent flute is one by Doug Tipple on ebay. It's $60 though.
I can get a nice quality Yamaha Alto Recorder for $16.95 at http://www.courtlymusicunlimited.com/Yamaha.html (Courtley Music). I'm surprised that there are no student keyless Irish flutes made out of ABS plastic. Is this a case of supply and demand driving prices?
I'm sorry to be a bother. This is my first time posting and here I am begging. We don't have much of a musical irish community here so if somebody could point me to a low cost used plastic Irish flute for my daughter I sure would appreciate it. Thanks.
I can get a nice quality Yamaha Alto Recorder for $16.95 at http://www.courtlymusicunlimited.com/Yamaha.html (Courtley Music). I'm surprised that there are no student keyless Irish flutes made out of ABS plastic. Is this a case of supply and demand driving prices?
I'm sorry to be a bother. This is my first time posting and here I am begging. We don't have much of a musical irish community here so if somebody could point me to a low cost used plastic Irish flute for my daughter I sure would appreciate it. Thanks.