Instruments
Flute Buyer's Guide
Citation: Flute Buyer's Guide. The Woodwind & Brasswind. 2011. <http://www.wwbw.com/Buyer-Guides-Flute-g25079t0.wwbw.>
Article Title: Flute Buyer's Guide
Author: None
Instrument: Flute
Magazine or Journal Title: The Woodwind & Brasswind
Summary:
A. Flute Breakdown
1. Different parts of the instrument
B. Different Categories
1. Student Flutes
a. First 2-3 years of playing
b. Nickel body with offset G and C footjoint
c. Can be open or closed holed
2. Intermediate (Step-up) Flutes
a. Usually solid silver headjoint, silver or silver-plated body
b. Open-hole keys, B footjoint, and sometimes in-line G keys
3. Professional Flutes
a. Made with fine materials and detailed craftsmanship
b. Open holed and solid (Sterling) silver head, body and foot joints
c. Made to very tight tolerances for max performance
4. Artisan Flutes
a. Most, silver-plated or solid silver, some gold or rose-gold plating
b. Engravings on embouchure plate and keys
C. Materials
1. Nickel Silve
a. Durable and resistant to denting
b. Still has nice tone
c. Many student flutes have nickel silver headjoints, body and foot joints that are silver-plated
2. Solid (Sterling) Silver
a. Most intermediate and professional flutes are entirely silver
b. Warm, rich tone and clean, crisp response
c. Some are silver with gold-plating
d. Silver used to increase the weight of the flute and darken and focus the sound with rich overtones
e. All-silver flutes must be handled carefully and is usually not a good choice for younger students
D. Plating
1. Nickel Plating
a. Student flutes; for those allergic to silver
b. Nickel: durable and easily cared for
c. Light with a bright sound
2. Silver Plating
a. Adds beautiful finish
b. Adds weight, darkens and centers the sound
3. Gold Plating
a. Also for those allergic to silver
b. Added traction on the bottom lip; good for fast passages
c. Colorful, warm tone, with wide dynamic range
E. 3 Major parts
1. Headjoint
a. Has no key holes
b. Intermediate instruments feature solid silver material: sounds like silver flute
c. Has tuning cork and can adjust intonation
2. Body
a. Largest part: center section
b. Has most of the keys
3. Footjoint
a. Shortest part
b. Few keys
c. C foot is standard and professional models have B foot
F. Key Styles
1. Plateau
a. Most common for students: requires less finger technique
b. Usually has Offset G, most comfortable
2. French Style
a. "Open-hole" model
b. Little more expensive
c. Open holes are clearer, louder
d. Can half-hole for jazz and improvisational styles
3. Offset vs. Inline G
a. Played with the 3rd finger on left hand
b. One "in line" with other keys: superior intonation
c. Offset is towards the outer edge and is easier and more comfortable to reach for smaller hands.
G. Other Features
1. Arms: French Pointed vs. "Y"
a. Mechanism that connects the key to the rod
b. Better key placement
2. Split E
a. Key that improves intonation and response over high E
3. Embouchure (lip) Plate
a. Where lips meet the headjoint
b. Different cuts and shapes available
4. Riser
a. "Chimney": connects the lip plate to the head
b. Influences the flutes tone
5. Springs
a. Hold keys in place
b. Stainless steel springs are durable
Article Title: Flute Buyer's Guide
Author: None
Instrument: Flute
Magazine or Journal Title: The Woodwind & Brasswind
Summary:
A. Flute Breakdown
1. Different parts of the instrument
B. Different Categories
1. Student Flutes
a. First 2-3 years of playing
b. Nickel body with offset G and C footjoint
c. Can be open or closed holed
2. Intermediate (Step-up) Flutes
a. Usually solid silver headjoint, silver or silver-plated body
b. Open-hole keys, B footjoint, and sometimes in-line G keys
3. Professional Flutes
a. Made with fine materials and detailed craftsmanship
b. Open holed and solid (Sterling) silver head, body and foot joints
c. Made to very tight tolerances for max performance
4. Artisan Flutes
a. Most, silver-plated or solid silver, some gold or rose-gold plating
b. Engravings on embouchure plate and keys
C. Materials
1. Nickel Silve
a. Durable and resistant to denting
b. Still has nice tone
c. Many student flutes have nickel silver headjoints, body and foot joints that are silver-plated
2. Solid (Sterling) Silver
a. Most intermediate and professional flutes are entirely silver
b. Warm, rich tone and clean, crisp response
c. Some are silver with gold-plating
d. Silver used to increase the weight of the flute and darken and focus the sound with rich overtones
e. All-silver flutes must be handled carefully and is usually not a good choice for younger students
D. Plating
1. Nickel Plating
a. Student flutes; for those allergic to silver
b. Nickel: durable and easily cared for
c. Light with a bright sound
2. Silver Plating
a. Adds beautiful finish
b. Adds weight, darkens and centers the sound
3. Gold Plating
a. Also for those allergic to silver
b. Added traction on the bottom lip; good for fast passages
c. Colorful, warm tone, with wide dynamic range
E. 3 Major parts
1. Headjoint
a. Has no key holes
b. Intermediate instruments feature solid silver material: sounds like silver flute
c. Has tuning cork and can adjust intonation
2. Body
a. Largest part: center section
b. Has most of the keys
3. Footjoint
a. Shortest part
b. Few keys
c. C foot is standard and professional models have B foot
F. Key Styles
1. Plateau
a. Most common for students: requires less finger technique
b. Usually has Offset G, most comfortable
2. French Style
a. "Open-hole" model
b. Little more expensive
c. Open holes are clearer, louder
d. Can half-hole for jazz and improvisational styles
3. Offset vs. Inline G
a. Played with the 3rd finger on left hand
b. One "in line" with other keys: superior intonation
c. Offset is towards the outer edge and is easier and more comfortable to reach for smaller hands.
G. Other Features
1. Arms: French Pointed vs. "Y"
a. Mechanism that connects the key to the rod
b. Better key placement
2. Split E
a. Key that improves intonation and response over high E
3. Embouchure (lip) Plate
a. Where lips meet the headjoint
b. Different cuts and shapes available
4. Riser
a. "Chimney": connects the lip plate to the head
b. Influences the flutes tone
5. Springs
a. Hold keys in place
b. Stainless steel springs are durable
Recommended Flutes
Citation: Fogarty, Sharon. Recommended Flutes. All About Flutes, 2012, <http://www.allaboutflutes.com/recommended-flutes/>
Article Title: Recommended Flutes
Author: Sharon Fogarty
Instrument: Flute
Magazine or Journal Title: All About Flute
Summary:
A. Flutes to match every skill level
B. Pearl, Yamaha, Jupiter: reliable, durable, fixable
C. Beginners Younger than 7
1. Recommended they start on recorder
D. Ages 7-8
1. Smaller than a normal/standard flute
a. Roy Benson RBFL-102 Children's Flute
b. Jupiter 3132 Prodigy Flute
E. Ages 9 and Older/ Elementary
1. Look for C foot, silver plated, plateau keys, and offset G
a. Pearl Flutes PF-505E Quantz Series Flute
b. Jupiter 515S Deluxe Standard Flute
c. Yamaha YFL-221 Standard Flute
d. Vento 500 Series Model 5302 Student Flute
F. Any Age/ Intermediate: Mainly for pasttime
1. Look for silver plated, solid silver headjoints, B foot, and offset G.
a. Pearl, Jupiter, Yamaha, Vento models
G. Intermediate: Pursuing further study
1. Look for Solid silver headjoint and body, offset or inline G, and open holed split E.
a. Pearl, Jupiter, Yamaha, Vento models
H. Preprofessional/ Competitive
1. Consult with private teacher about instrument selection
2. Pearls: wonderful tone, great key action, ease with high or low
3. Jupiter: nice tone, sturdy, quick key action
4. Yamaha: many different styles, same qualities as other 2, generally more expensive
I. Other Brands
1. Gmeinhardt, Bundy, Selmer, and Emerson.
Article Title: Recommended Flutes
Author: Sharon Fogarty
Instrument: Flute
Magazine or Journal Title: All About Flute
Summary:
A. Flutes to match every skill level
B. Pearl, Yamaha, Jupiter: reliable, durable, fixable
C. Beginners Younger than 7
1. Recommended they start on recorder
D. Ages 7-8
1. Smaller than a normal/standard flute
a. Roy Benson RBFL-102 Children's Flute
b. Jupiter 3132 Prodigy Flute
E. Ages 9 and Older/ Elementary
1. Look for C foot, silver plated, plateau keys, and offset G
a. Pearl Flutes PF-505E Quantz Series Flute
b. Jupiter 515S Deluxe Standard Flute
c. Yamaha YFL-221 Standard Flute
d. Vento 500 Series Model 5302 Student Flute
F. Any Age/ Intermediate: Mainly for pasttime
1. Look for silver plated, solid silver headjoints, B foot, and offset G.
a. Pearl, Jupiter, Yamaha, Vento models
G. Intermediate: Pursuing further study
1. Look for Solid silver headjoint and body, offset or inline G, and open holed split E.
a. Pearl, Jupiter, Yamaha, Vento models
H. Preprofessional/ Competitive
1. Consult with private teacher about instrument selection
2. Pearls: wonderful tone, great key action, ease with high or low
3. Jupiter: nice tone, sturdy, quick key action
4. Yamaha: many different styles, same qualities as other 2, generally more expensive
I. Other Brands
1. Gmeinhardt, Bundy, Selmer, and Emerson.
Care & Maintenance of Your Flute
Citation: Care & Maintenance of Your Flute. Miyazawa, 2012. <http://www.miyazawa.com/media-library/educational- articles/maintenance/care-and-maintenance-of-your-flute/
Article Title: Care & Maintenance of Your Flute
Author: None
Instrument: Flute
Magazine or Journal Title: Miyazawa
Summary:
A. Remove Jewelry
1. Common cause of damage to flutes
2. Careful of the surface in and around the embouchure hole
B. Assembling Your Flute
1. Don't hold over the mechanism: may go out of adjustment and possible damage
2. Grasp body at barrel and footjoint at the bottom below they keys
a. Always twist together
3. Grasp headjoint by the lip plate and twist together
4. Adjust the amount the headjoint is pulled out to tuning and preference
C. Swabbing Your Flute
1. Use soft, absorbent cotton cloth and cleaning rod to clean the inside of your flute
D. Removing Fingerprints
1. Use micro-fiber cleaning cloth for the outside of the flute
2. Never use one infused with cleaning chemicals: could work their way into the mechanisms
3. Keep stored in it's case when not using it
E. Headjoint and Tenon Care
1. Get qualified technician to properly fit your headjoint
2. Gently wipe tenon with soft, cotton cloth
3. Use paraffin wax to lubricate section
a. Never use petroleum jelly, lip balm, or cork grease to lubricate
b. Coat inner tenon by rubbing it with a piece of dry paraffin wax
c. Disassemble and wipe off inner and outer tenons with cloth
F. Pads and their Care
1. Staubinger Pads: stay in adjustment much longer, have double layer called "skin" taht can become sticky with use
2. When cleaning, stay away from the edges of the pads and key cups
3. Premium felt pads: treat the same as Staubinger Pads
G. Retaining Rings and Plug Removal
1. Retaining rings hold pads in the keys
2. To remove plugs, use pin and careful not to scratch the flute
H. Cleaned, oiled, adjusted once each year by quality flute repair
1. Will keep flute in top condition
Article Title: Care & Maintenance of Your Flute
Author: None
Instrument: Flute
Magazine or Journal Title: Miyazawa
Summary:
A. Remove Jewelry
1. Common cause of damage to flutes
2. Careful of the surface in and around the embouchure hole
B. Assembling Your Flute
1. Don't hold over the mechanism: may go out of adjustment and possible damage
2. Grasp body at barrel and footjoint at the bottom below they keys
a. Always twist together
3. Grasp headjoint by the lip plate and twist together
4. Adjust the amount the headjoint is pulled out to tuning and preference
C. Swabbing Your Flute
1. Use soft, absorbent cotton cloth and cleaning rod to clean the inside of your flute
D. Removing Fingerprints
1. Use micro-fiber cleaning cloth for the outside of the flute
2. Never use one infused with cleaning chemicals: could work their way into the mechanisms
3. Keep stored in it's case when not using it
E. Headjoint and Tenon Care
1. Get qualified technician to properly fit your headjoint
2. Gently wipe tenon with soft, cotton cloth
3. Use paraffin wax to lubricate section
a. Never use petroleum jelly, lip balm, or cork grease to lubricate
b. Coat inner tenon by rubbing it with a piece of dry paraffin wax
c. Disassemble and wipe off inner and outer tenons with cloth
F. Pads and their Care
1. Staubinger Pads: stay in adjustment much longer, have double layer called "skin" taht can become sticky with use
2. When cleaning, stay away from the edges of the pads and key cups
3. Premium felt pads: treat the same as Staubinger Pads
G. Retaining Rings and Plug Removal
1. Retaining rings hold pads in the keys
2. To remove plugs, use pin and careful not to scratch the flute
H. Cleaned, oiled, adjusted once each year by quality flute repair
1. Will keep flute in top condition