Flute advice needed please

[mominwestlake]

My dd is a sophomore in her high school marching band. We are looking for a used flute for her to use during marching season. Does anyone know of a good brand for a flute? There are 3 music stores near us and all have particular brands that they say are the best but none carry the same brands. We can get a good price on a jupiter, yamaha, and gemeinhardt
2SP. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[SnowWhite2]

For marching band, you want an instrument that is just OK. It will be subject to the elements - whatever the elements are in your area. My was rained and snowed on. You want a closed hole flute that makes it easier to play while marching.

All flute manufacturers have varing degrees of flute - from beginner to expert. I have a Germinheardt that must be from the 50's and is wonderful that I used for marching band. I had another brand that was an open hole flute for symphonic band. Never heard of Jupiter.

 

[mrsklamc]

I'm not any kind of professional musician, by a long shot. But my Yamaha clarinet got me from 5th grade through HS just fine....

And Yamaha funds one of my favorite non-profits.

 

[sharonmickey]

I agree with PP. Our marching band plays in all weather and it is rough on woodwinds. Don't buy an expensive flute for marching band. I had to replace the pads a few times for DD. I ended up buying her two flutes, one for marching band - especially for rainy or snowy nights - another good one for concert band. I ended up buying a used instrument off ebay for marching band.

 

[jgraney106]

My daughter used the same Yamaha flute from 3 rd grade to high school without any problems. My friends daughter had an American Standard flute for about the same time.

 

[hmcfall711]

Germinheardt or Artley (if they still make them-they were indestructable).

 

[princessmom29]

Germinheardt or Artley (if they still make them-they were indestructable).

Germinheardt are expensive, and I wouldn't invest in one for marching. I would pick up a used yahama student flute, and save the germinheardt for concert season. The moisture in the air outdoors reaks havoc on flute pads. Whatever you get be prepared to have it repadded every year.

 

[marlynnp]

I had/have a Gemeinhardt.

I got it in 1978. I played in Orchestra for 9 years, marching band for 3 (I even marched at WDW). I had it refurbished - pads replaced, cleaned, a few springs replaced, etc. in the mid 90's. My daughter started school band last year and is using it - it's fine. I'll probably get it refurbed again in a couple of years if she keeps playing.

 

[greens_in_WA]

My band teachers always had discount catalogs on hand as well where even new instruments could be purchased for about 50% off retail - worth checking, but I don't recall any company names now. I'd tend to agree on not getting anything too pricey for marching. The band director can also help you in what to get. I had an Armstrong I think which was a fine brand gemeinhardt and yamaha are also great... but I think the gemeinhardts are pretty pricey.

 

[kellydizfan]

I have a very good friend who is a retired HS music teacher. He recommends the Jupiter as they are good but the cheaper of the brands. I had asked for my daughter as she wants to teach music, I want to get her an open hole flute and is a sophmore in HS but we don't have a marching band which is a shame!!!!!

 

[Willow1213]

I have owned/played/repaired all of the brands you listed and for marching band, I have to recommend a Gemeinhardt. The Yamaha's tend to bend to easily which means they need adjustment VERY often. The Jupiter's are ok - but they will not last as long. The Gemeinhardt's are powerhouses. They will last her for a long time with proper care. They are made of better metals than the Yamaha. My Jupiter got me through 2 years. The Yamaha lasted 4 (but was so bad by the end, it was unrepairable). The Gemeinhardt is still going strong 8 years later. I did not have high end instruments with any of these models, just basic student.

Also, a piece of advice from a repair shop friend:
A company like Yamaha makes everything from motorcycles to flutes. A company like Gemeinhardt makes flutes and only flutes (ok, they make piccolos too ). Which one is better at their craft?

 

[drakester]

We bought our daughter a use Jupiter and she has been using it for 4 years. I figured if she stick w/it through HS I'll buy her a new one for college.

 

[richmond282]

All are acceptable brands, but Gemeinhardt is the "standard" for middle/ high school students. Check:

http://www.wwbw.com/

http://www.wmcworld.com/

for some better deals, I have purchased from both and trust them both. HTH!

 

[katman2540]

I used to do repair work on Flutes. All three are good brands. The yamaha is one that we used for the music stores rental program. Gemeinhardt(I am a musician not an english major so if spelled wrong please don't shoot me) Is good as well but usually higher in price and can cost more for repairs. I would suggest the Yamaha. It is a sturdy dependable instrument that can take the pounding it will get in a marching band scenario but still produce a nice tone if used for concert band and can carry a person right up through college.

 

[crabbygal902]

I am a current general music teacher and a former middle and high school band director. All the brands that you mentioned are good ones. Personally, I'd rather have the Gemeinhardt, then second choice would be Yamaha, and third choice would be Jupiter.

 

[KayW]

I would do the Geimenhardt for marching. She could also use it for both marching and concert.