Jordan Winds Music Co
​Flute & Piccolo Specialists

It's overwhelming! There's so many options, so many styles, so many materials, where do you even start? This guide was made in partnership with Dr. Elizabeth Weissman, PhD. She has a doctorate in flute performance, has taught at top tier colleges of music and is a private instructor for beginner and advanced flutists.

Whether you're a parent looking for a child, or if you're looking to find an instrument for yourself, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying a flute!

Whether you're looking for a starter flute or a more advanced one, the most important quality to look for in a flute is... well... quality.

It's tempting to buy the "cheap" new flute on Amazon or Ebay, but the truth is: often they can do more harm than good. They tend to break quickly, and can significantly hold the player's tone and development back. It is vital to buy a good, reputable brand.

There's a lot of noise out there telling you what to look for, and it might make your head spin. But rest assured, if you stick with the a quality brand with good features, the player will be able to grow into the flute.

Most beginners start with a closed hole, silver (or nickel) plated flute with a C footjoint. A closed hole flute is easier to play because the player does not have to worry about completely covering the open holes. They simply press the keys down and make the notes sound! A C footjoint is also preferable because the instrument will be lighter, making it easier to hold for long periods of time.

Most student-level flutes are silver plated, although some will have a nickel plating. Both platings are durable and appropriate for younger students who may not be as careful with their instruments.

We recommend these brands and models! This is not a comprehensive list, so if you see a flute that's not on this list, ask us! If we sell it, we recommend it!

Yamaha (225SII, 221, 222 and Advantage models) - Yamaha flutes are easy playing and super durable. Yamaha is the most widely recommended brand and these flutes hold their value. The 221 and 222 models (200AD & 200ADII) are Yamaha's more recent models with the most up to date designs.

Trevor James (10xII, 10xE, 10xC) - This is our favorite beginner (and intermediate) flute! These flutes play super easily and produce and amazing sound! The headjoints are made with the beginner flutist in mind, which make the flutes easy blowing and allow the player to really push their tonal abilities.

Jupiter (507II, 710 (newest), CXL & Capital Edition Models) - Jupiter flutes are very well made, durable and create an amazing sound. These flutes are optimal for tone and technique development, and have a smooth mechanism. We also love the CXL and Capital Edition models, with a Gold plated lip plate and inner tube which create a warmer and richer sound.

Gemeinhardt Artisan Series- This is an excellent budget flute. The older 2SP flutes are termed "war horses" because they are durable and hold up. If you go with an older model, make sure that the pads are in good shape and have been regularly maintained. The newer Artisan models (as seen in our store) feature the most up-to-date designs and have better pads. We love the New NG1 headjoint which features a revolutionary headjoint design for easiest sound and fantastic dynamic versatility!

Di Zhao Student Models - Di Zhao Flutes are a newer brand to the market, with a modern style headjoint and highly recommended by players and teachers! These models are great quality for the price.

Eastman/Amadeus Models - These flutes have an amazing sound and are extremely durable. If you're familiar with Intermediate flutes, you know that the Eastman and Haynes Amadeus brands are one of the best intermediate flutes. These beginner flutes feature the best headjoint and body designs for an extremely warm, rich sound and great intonation.

Check out our selection of Refurbished Student Flutes! Our flutes have been fully cleaned & refurbished to factory-new specifications. Save 50% or more on Student Models.

Nearly every parent wonders if their child will stick with the flute. Should you buy even if the player is unsure?

Rental Pros & Cons: Renting provides much more flexibility, especially if your child only plays for a couple months or so. Rental fees charge a premium, though, so long-term rentals quickly become much more expensive than buying outright.

Buying Pros & Cons: We find that a sense of ownership increases the chances of the young player staying with the flute. Buying outright provides incentive for the player to stick it out through the rough times, until they find more success and satisfaction in flute playing. Purchasing is usually a better financial investment than long-term rentals, as you are avoiding expensive monthly rental charges. You may have less flexibility if they decide to no longer play, but re-selling the flute is always an option to recover your investment.

Our Recommendation: Buy a new flute of a reputable brand or buy refurbished for the most bang-for-your-buck. New flutes have the most up-to-date designs and new pads & corks. Refurbished flutes will be serviced to full playing condition, and sometimes have all new pads. See our "recommended beginner flute brands" guide!

See our wide selection of Refurbished Student Flutes for much less than retail:

You may have thought of looking for a used flute or getting a hand-me-down from Uncle Joe who played 20 years ago. This is a great idea if you find one that has been well maintained, but the odds are pretty low. In addition, the flute technology has improved dramatically in the last 20 years. Innovations that were once only available on professional flutes have worked their way down to even the least expensive beginner flutes. Refinements in headjoint design and embouchure cuts, improvements in the padding, innovations in the machining process of the mechanisms and higher-quality metals mean the beginner flute of today is light-years away from the flute of 30 years ago.

Another concern you may have is that the player will simply stop playing the instrument. We have seen that students are more likely to stay with their musical passion when they have:

• A quality instrument with a beautiful tone and good mechanism.

• An experienced, knowledgeable and supportive private teacher.

• A band program or large ensemble that provides a positive social and academic environment.

Remember, a cheap, poor performing flute can do more harm than good. Stay with a reputable brand and make sure that the flute is regularly maintained.

Buying New: New flutes have the most up-to-date innovations and designs and have no wear and tear. Much like buying a new car, your maintenance costs will be much less (we recommend a yearly cleaning and adjustment, of course.) Pads are costly to replace when done by a qualified technician, and new pads on new flutes generally last 5-7 years when played on regularly. Plus, you get the joy of perfect cosmetic condition!

Buying Refurbished: This is a great balance between cost and value. Refurbished flutes have been fully cleaned and serviced with any necessary pads and corks replaced. They generally play as good as if they were new! If you're wanting a good playing flute, and you're okay with some scratches and signs of use, refurbished might be a great option for you. Make sure the refurbished flute was serviced by a well qualified technician and came from a reputable shop, as flute repair takes a considerable amount of training and skill to be done right. Take a look at our wonderful refurbished flute options!

Buying Used: This is a viable option if you know what to look for. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of used flutes for sale and it can end up costing you if you don't find one in good, well maintained condition. Find a flute that is in good cosmetic condition with only light scratches from light use. Make sure the pads are all in-tact and look clean. Your best bet is to try it out before you buy to make sure it plays all the notes. Last, but most important, take it in for a service at a reputable repair shop for cleaning and adjustment. A cleaning will sanitize the flute and preserve the finish, and an adjustment service is vital to the life of the pads and the playing condition of the flute.

See our most recommended student flutes now:

After playing a few years, the player will move up to an open hole flute with B footjoint. You may want to know why the B foot and open holes are necessary or desirable. The best answer is: everyone else has one! The standard or “fashion” in the United States is that most flutes have a B footjoint. The added length of the flute provides one more key that sounds an additional lower note. This adds to the overall power and projection of the sound, particularly in the low notes.

As an investment, a B footjoint is the best option and will be much easier to sell later, if needed. An Open Hole mechanism also encourages better technique and is said to "open up" and improve the sound. It is possible to purchase an all silver plated, open hole flute with B footjoint for a very affordable price, but most people consider a step-up flute to also have a sterling silver headjoint.

After the player has achieved a level of competence on the flute, he or she (and the teacher) may feel that the beginner instrument is holding back their progress. What does this mean to you besides spending more money? It means that the young player has reached a level of expertise and sensitivity where the sound they’re producing matters!

The reason why professionals play on silver and gold flutes is that it makes the sound more beautiful. As the silver content in the flute increases, the acoustic harmonic content of the sound will increase. Played side-by-side, a quality intermediate flute with a sterling silver headjoint will usually sound richer, fuller and more interesting than an all silver plated flute. For the intermediate student who shows a strong commitment to the flute, the silver headjoint is highly recommended.

A pre-professional flute (brands include Powell Sonare, Haynes Amadeus and more) is appropriate for your serious high school or advanced junior high school student, adult amateurs, and those entering college as non-music or non-performance music majors.

This level flute offers an all sterling silver body with silver plated keys. The added silver content will make a significant difference in the tone quality, color, depth and projection. In addition, the solid silver body will prove more durable as scratches and dents are much easier to remove from a solid silver body. The long-term value of a silver body student flute will also be comparatively stronger because of the silver content.

These level flutes can also contain professional upgrade featues such as a C# Trill key, D# roller, Split-E mechanism and more, that assist in playing and performance. See our "Upgrade Features Options" tab for more information.

So you have an idea of the features of intermediate/pre-professional flutes. But how do you know if you're getting the right one for you? We've detailed 3 main things to look for when buying an intermediate/pre-professional flute.

Pro Tip: Buying an upgrade flute is like making an investment. The more you are willing to invest, the more you'll get back.

Steps for Finding your Flute

Step 1: Find the right qualities and features

• Research what qualities would help you reach your playing goals. The right material (silver plated vs silver head vs all silver) is most important. Better Materials = Better Sound. Research what features (such as C# trill key or Split-E mechanism) would benefit you the most. (See our other tabs for helpful info)

Step 2: Find the right sound

• Even online, you can find the flute that has the sound you like. Spend time listening to demo videos on many of the options you've narrowed from step 1. Some players prefer a bright and rich tone, and other prefer a darker, warmer tone. On our website, utilize the "is this flute the right fit" tab on each of our flute listings. We can even demonstrate our flutes for you upon request!

Step 3: Get a flute that plays easily and feels right

• This step, believe it or not, is often considered less important than step 1 & 2. The reason? The player will naturally adapt to the differences from flute to flute, often quite quickly within a matter of days or weeks. While it is important to get a flute that feels right to the player, we often encourage flutists to use this criteria ("the feel") as a "tie-breaker" between a couple flutes they like the most. Understanding this creates peace of mind, especially for online flute buying. Plus, we offer a trial period for all of our flutes to make sure the flute is right for the player!

Browse our selection specially curated to the intermediate player. Our flutes are designed to provide you the best flute for the best price!

When looking for an upgrade flute, all the different options and features will make your head spin! Here's a quick overview of the features you might find on intermediate and professional flutes. Feel free to reach out for more info on each feature.

See our "Stage 2: Intermediate Flute" section for more information on the B footjoint & Open Hole Mechanism.

Pointed Key Arms vs. Y Key Arms: Pointed Key Arms have become the industry standard on intermediate and professional flutes. These arms hold the key at the center, making the key more durable and resistant to bending. Flutes with pointed key arms generally hold their value more than their counter-parts. Y key arms are standard on most beginner flutes and are also a valid cost-effective option on intermediate models. Well-made flutes with Y key arms will still be durable and resistant to bending.

Split-E Mechanism: Although you will sometimes find this feature on beginner flutes, it is generally most popular on intermediate and pre-professional flutes. This mechanism helps make the "dreaded" high-E easier to play on the flute, and is especially useful for players developing their tone and embouchure abilities. Most players prefer this option, and some players prefer the high-e facilator disk (see below) for smoother playing.

High-E Facilatator Disk: Also called a "donut" or "poor-man's split E", a donut-shaped disk is placed in the lower G tone hole. This has a similar effect as a split E mechanism in which it makes the high-E easier to play. This upgrade can be made to nearly any flute at any time, and some flutes will come with it already installed.

C# Trill Key: An additional key is added to the body of the flute (right under the C key) to assist in the C# trill. This key also has many versatile uses, including making a better sounding C# note and making an easier, clearer high Ab note. Players that have this feature on their flute say that they can't go without one!

D# Roller: A roller is installed on the D#/Eb pinky key to assist in moving smoothly among the footjoint notes. This feature is found mostly on pre-professional and professional flutes, but sometimes on beginner and intermediate flutes.

Offset G vs Inline G: Offset G is most common on flutes made today, where the G keys sit slightly out of line with the others so that the left-hand ring finger can reach the key easier. This feature is most beneficial for those with smaller hands, while those with average or larger hands will generally be able to play on an in-line G and offset G mechanism comfortably.

Gizmo Key?: The "Gizmo" Key is only on B footjoints. It is a key extension lever connected to the low B key, used to assist when playing the "high C" on the flute. Nearly all mainstream flutes built in the last 30 years will contain this key.

Professional flute companies include top American companies such as Brannen, Burkart, Haynes, and Powell as well as companies from Japan such as Miyazawa and Muramatsu.

The advantages of purchasing a flute from one of these companies are the high level of expertise in the design, advanced level of hand finishing in the pad work and mechanism and the prestige of owning a flute from a professional flute company.

A professional flute is an investment in a your child’s career or talent. Serious flutists, both amateur and professional, and college music performance majors should set their sights on an entry level professional or top-of-the-line professional flute.

The Entry Level Professional Flute

The entry level professional flute is characterized by the same craftsmanship as a flute for $12,000, but with less silver content. For example, the Haynes Classic Q1, Miyazawa 202, Muramatsu EX and Weissman-McKenna Integrity model flutes offer silver plated bodies and sterling silver headjoints. These flutes provide a big, beautiful sound with rich harmonic depth and cost about $4,250.

Many of these companies also offer options such as the 14k riser, C# trill key and D# roller which also enhance the value and versatility of the flutes. These are definitely instruments that can last a lifetime or can serve as stepping stones to the highest levels.

The Professional Flute

Some people refer to the all silver flute as a “real” flute. As you can see by the preceding information, there are many options available to serve the needs of different players. However, a truly professional flute is all silver. The additional silver content provides more weight resulting in a larger, more beautiful sound. The silver body and keys make the flute more durable — dents and scratches can be easily removed. Also, an all silver flute from one of the top professional flute companies will always retain a higher percentage of its original purchase price.

The Drawn Tone Hole Professional Flute

All of the top flute companies offer a drawn tone hole professional flute. Each tone hole is extruded or pulled from the body of the flute. Then the top edge is rolled over to form a “lip” that provides the seal against the pads. This process is less time consuming and labor intensive resulting in a lower price. Make no mistake, these are “le crème de la crème” and may people prefer the sound of a drawn tone hole flute!

The Soldered Tone Hole Professional Flute

As you know, more silver means more mass which means a richer and fuller sound. Many professional flutists, including orchestral players and university teachers, feel that the soldered tone hole flute provides the most power and projection of all of the flutes. In the soldered tone hole process, the holes are extracted from the body of the flute. The tone hole is separately formed then soldered to the body of the flute. These top-of-the-line flutes will retain most of their value throughout the life of the instrument and may actually increase in value over the long term.

Gold Flutes

Any flutist who owns or plays a gold flute will tell you that nothing plays like one! The rich and creamy sound, the feel of the gold metal against your skin and the mystique of a gold instrument all contribute to a steady market in the flute industry for gold, gold alloys and combinations of gold and silver. As always, we encourage players to try as many different flutes as possible. There is no one “best” company or type of flute. The choice is unique and specific to the player.