Flute: How to choose the best one in 2022?

Many people who had musical initiation in their childhood tend to have contact with the flute. It is usually one of the first instruments we know and many decide to continue playing professionally.

The recorder and the transverse flute are the most common among flutists of different ages. But how to choose the best one for you? Among different materials, types of keys, different fingerings, it can be a little difficult to choose.

Here we will talk about the main differences between the flute types and tell you everything you need to know before buying yours, from its advantages to the main features. Come with us!

First, the most important

• Starting with the recorder can be an easier way to start being a recorder. However, nothing prevents you from starting your studies right across the board.
• The right flute for you will depend a lot on your level of study. Some flutes with a greater variety of sounds, for example, are more suitable for experienced flutists.
• It is possible to start your studies with a cheaper model, but as you progress, look for a flute that suits your needs.

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Best flutes: Our recommendations

Among sweet, baroque or German flutes and transversal ones, these are the best and most popular models among flutists. Analyze each one and choose the one that best matches what you are looking for.

• Yamaha C Cross YFL-222 Silver Flute
• Yamaha Baroque Soprano Recorder YRS-312B
• Cross Flute WFLM25 C Nickel Plated – Michael
• German Flute SGFLG Spring

Yamaha C Cross YFL-222 Silver Flute

 

 

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Transverse Flute Student C YFL-222 Silver YAMAHARead user reviews

R $ 4,269.00

 

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Yamaha’s YFL-222 transverse flute is a little more expensive, but it is well worth it for its quality. In addition to a beautiful and elegant design, this model has thickened key rods, which ensure greater durability and strength to maintain the alignment of the sneakers.

The shapes of the keys and their positions have been ergonomically designed to offer more comfort and naturalness to the musician. In addition, Yamaha’s screw resistance inserts allow for smooth adjustments and prevent the screws from loosening gradually.

It is also great for musicians who are starting to play the transverse flute, as the foot alignment marks facilitate proper installation.

 

Yamaha Baroque Soprano Recorder YRS-312B

 

 

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Yamaha Baroque Soprano Flute YRS312BIIIRead user reviews

R $ 249.00

 

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For instrumentalists who prefer the soprano recorder, the Yamaha model YRS-312B is the right choice. Durable and easy to care for, it provides a tone similar to that of natural wood flutes.

With a baroque typing system (wider opening at the bottom and small at the top), the flute delivers a full-bodied sound, with free ABS resin construction.

With a wide range of tonal expression and excellent playability, the YRS-312B flute has a finish similar to that of Rosewood flutes. In addition, it also comes with a case for you to store the instrument safely.

 

Cross Flute WFLM25 C Nickel Plated – Michael

 

 

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Transverse Flute WFLM37 C Silver – MichaelRead user reviews

 

 

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Michael’s WFLM37 C transverse flute is silver and has a C (C) tuning, ensuring versatility and great musicality. Its balanced tone offers smooth sound, high quality tuning and great sound projection. Its extension C feature on the foot scale provides another note for flutists.

The switching system (Boehm) responds with great precision and the mouthpiece provides comfortable support of the lower lip, ensuring better breathability.

 

German Flute SGFLG Spring

 

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German Flute SGFLG SpringRead user reviews

 

 

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Ideal for those who are starting to study German flute, the SG-FLG model from Spring provides good quality and ease when changing. With German soprano tuning in C and raw material of ABS resin, the Spring flute comes with a cleaner and care manual.

 

Buying Guide

Now that you know the best transverse and recorder models, it’s time to learn more about them: what are the differences? The types? The advantages? What else should you know before buying yours? Keep up with us and we will answer all your questions!

 

Find out everything you need to buy your flute! (Source: Victoria_Borodinova / Pixabay)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the flute?

You may not know this, but the flute, like other wind instruments, is super beneficial for your health. That’s because, to play the instrument, you need to be in good physical condition and learn to breathe properly.

It has been proven that musicians who play wind instruments have a better lung and respiratory capacity than other people. That is, in addition to learning to play an instrument, you are also good for your health!

 

 

Did you know that the flute is a very old instrument, which has existed since the Neolithic period?

With the intention of imitating the sound of birds, human beings created a type of flute made of perforated bamboo.

In addition, the flute encourages a lot in early learning. Children who are beginning to learn the flute feel calmer and more concentrated in their daily lives and at school.

 

Luan Vitor10 years old, Flute student since 5 years old

“The flute brings calm, patience, improves reasoning and helps to live with people, in addition to strengthening the lung.”

In addition, the flute has the benefit of being easily transported, especially recorders, which fit in a case inside the backpack. But even cross-sectional models can easily be loaded into a case.

One of its disadvantages (which can also be seen as beneficial) is that it is necessary to take very good care of your oral health before playing the instrument, as it is a wind instrument. Playing the flute with a mouthful of food residues can facilitate the proliferation of bacteria on the instrument.

Benefits

• Assists in lung health
• Help in the learning process
• It is easy to transport
• Some models are cheaper than other wind instruments

Disadvantages

• It is necessary to learn to breathe correctly
• It is necessary to take care of oral health before touching

What is the best flute to start playing?

The recorder is the most common among beginners in the instrument. It is usually introduced to many children already in school, encouraging a taste for the flute. This model is usually simpler to handle and learn, so it is usually the entry door for people in the instrument.

However, of course nothing prevents you from starting your studies on the transverse flute or even on the Piccolo. This will depend a lot on your will and what type of flute you prefer. Look for a music teacher to help you decide.

 

 

The transverse flute is suitable for more experienced musicians. (Source: brendageisse / Pixabay)

What care should I take to keep the flute clean?

As with other wind instruments, it is essential to keep your flute clean at all times, to prevent the proliferation of bacteria from the mouth. These tips will help you keep the flute cleaner:

Take care of your oral health

Brushing your teeth before playing your flute is essential. Whenever possible, also floss and antiseptic. A piece of food that enters the flute can accumulate bacteria and even compromise the sound quality.

Take care of your hands

Always wash your hands well before playing and remember to cut your nails to ensure more clarity in the high notes.

Dry before storing

Always dry your instrument inside and out after use. You can use a cloth and, to be sure, leave the flute upright for about half an hour to ensure that it will be very dry when you store it.

Periodically clean

Remember to do the complete washing from time to time, according to your frequency of use. Wash your flute with water and detergent inside and out. Pay close attention to the nozzle, window and air duct.

How much does a flute cost?

The value of the flute will depend a lot on the type. Recorders, for example, are much more accessible. A model of reasonable quality can be found from R $ 50. However, prefer the best ones, which will last longer. Baroque recorders usually come in the range of R $ 250.

Transverse flutes are slightly more expensive. The quality ones don’t cost less than R $ 800, but the best models can cost around R $ 10 thousand. Choose a quality flute that fits your budget.

 

 

A transverse flute for beginners starts at R $ 800. (Source: Charly_7777 / Pixabay)

Where to buy a flute?

For those who already know the instrument and prefer to buy over the internet, there are several options available on Amazon.

For those who are just starting out and prefer to go to physical stores, the ideal is to look for the nearest musical instrument store.

 

Purchasing criteria: Main features for evaluating a flute

Currently, it is possible to find a huge variety of flutes on the market. To learn how to choose yours, review the following criteria:

• Flute type
• Fingering
• Material
• Key
• Nozzle

Read on to learn more about each item and make the right decision when buying your flute.

Flute type

There are several types of flute. The main ones are the recorder and the transverse. Find out more about them:

• Recorder . The recorder is the oldest type of recorder, with medieval origin. It is usually made of wood and can be found in different sizes. Its beak is a characteristic that differentiates it from other types of flute.
• Transverse flute . As the name suggests, the transverse flute is played in this more horizontal position. This is one of the preferred types among today’s flutists. Most of its models are made of metal.
• Piccolo flute . Similar to the transverse flute, Piccolo resembles it in blowing and fingering. However, it is a much smaller model and can produce higher pitched sounds.
• Bread flute . With several wooden tubes and a more “rustic” design, the panpipe has a mythology behind it. According to Greek legend, its sound reproduces the voices of nymphs.

 

The pan flutes have several wooden tubes, each one emitting a different sound. (Source: FinePixS3 / Pixabay)

Fingering

Among the recorders, there are models with two different types of fingerings: the baroque and the Germanic. The baroque flute is a classic model that produces a more velvety tone. In addition, your tuning is a little more accurate.

The German flute, on the other hand, is a little more “simple”, being the most used model to initiate children in the musical study. Its timbre is clearer and rougher.

Material

The main materials used in the manufacture of flutes are wood, nickel and resin.

wood

Wooden flutes are the most classic and generally absorb water droplets, making sure that this does not impair the quality of the sound emitted. In addition, they usually have a longer durability. In the past, even transverse flutes were made of wood.

Nickel

Flutes made of nickel are sometimes plated in silver and are the most common flutes. The 100% nickel models are usually more affordable.

Resin

Resin is the cheapest material, often used in recorders. Its durability is slightly less and the sound is also inferior to other materials.

 

Flutes can be made of wood, nickel or resin. (Source: congerdesign / Pixabay)

Key

Analyzing the key of the flute and your level of experience is also necessary to acquire a new model.

Some flutes, for example, end in the key of the note C and others in the key of Si. This will influence a lot according to your needs and the musical style you like to play.

Models with open or hollow keys are not very suitable for beginners, as it requires more experience and technique to play.

Nozzle

When you are testing the mouthpiece of your flute, you need to pay attention to some aspects. One is the variety of dynamics. Ideally, she should be able to play all three octaves loudly and clearly.

Articulation is also important to ensure the ease of producing good note attacks. The color of the sound should also be checked, always test the mouthpiece up one octave.