UKMARCH Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Hi, my youngest daughter has been told that she is moving from fife to flute in September so we need to get one for then. A letter recommending a local music shop should have come home and hasn't so I need to go into the school office to find it today, does anyone play and have any advice for what to look for/avoid? I'm hoping the people in the shop will know what to suggest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Yamaha is the make to go for, and they do a basic teaching Flute - the shop will advise. They are great instruments, and will last her for years. She should then only want to replace it with a better instrument if she is serious about playing, and done her grade 8 exams etc. I did my grade 8 on my yamaha, and got distinction, so it does produce a great sound. There are other teaching flutes out there, but (in my opinion) they are not nearly so good, and you would have to replace it much earlier so a false economy. Keep it serviced - once a year is ideal - and they will give it a good clean and replace any pads that are starting to wear. If you buy 2nd hand - look for the pads, and ensure they are not broken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 My daughter was able to hire a flute for 6 months and then, when she decided it was the instument for her, we bought it. Trevor James is the make. Purchased in 1992 and she is still playing it. Achieved grade 7 before she stopped taking grades due to school work etc, although her playing was a large part of her GCSE music exam. Hire first if you can is my advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 When I played violin at school I rented mine on a termly basis from the school music department - does your daughter's school not offer this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emily95 Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 I play the flute, and my flute is a Trevor J James flute, bought in 2004. It's still going strong, and I've just done grade 5 with it - I remember we got it in the sale in a local music shop for £275. Other people in my band have Pearl flutes, which they recommend, and a few have yamaha flutes. I recently bought a piccolo from SMS academy wind instruments, and although it is not the best piccolo in the world, as far as ease of playing and sound goes, it was fine for a recent marching band tour of Germany. The instruments on the SMS website are quite cheap in comparison to other brands, and are recommended for student instruments - you could always get your daughter a better flute as she progresses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 I'd go eBay every time with instruments. Find the make and model that you want and look on eBay. You can't really go wrong with a Yamaha. I picked up a very good flute for £25 a couple of years ago. We have 2 Boosey & Hawkes clarinets, 2 Bach Trumpets and a Yamaha Saxophone all bought at fraction of the price that they would be anywhere else. I do admit to buying our £1,000 trumpet(reduced to £1,000) from a music shop (2nd hand though) as it was too specialised an instrument. Ask how long it has been since it was played and if it needs any work. Keep the correspondence should it arrive in a condition that is contrary to the eBay description and away you go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Try yr local council, as they sometimes hire instruments out really cheaply, and it's a good way to test the waters as to whethre she'll carry it on. We hired from a music shop at £10 a month, for 6 months, and then bought it with the "rent " as the doeposit!! Bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Most of the family are clarinetists but ED plays flute...Yamaha, she swears by it, has had hers many many years now, with OH in forces she has had the oppurtunity to play many instruments but likes the Yam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted July 21, 2011 Author Share Posted July 21, 2011 Thanks for that everyone, I have the letter now and it gives details of a couple of shops where you can purchase or rent instruments. I did ask her teacher if I could rent one from the music centre but she said then I would be responsible for it if anything goes wrong and seemed to think the shop route was the way to go. I think the music centre seem to hire out violins and sax but thats about it I think they may have some flutes but probably try to save them for underprivileged students whose fees etc are subsidised. There are three schemes buy back where you can sell it back within 3-6 months probably not an option as my YD has been playing fife for the last 2 years so seems to want to carry on and I don't think she will be giving up that quickly, rental a Yamaha flute is £17 per month with curved head £22 and after 6 months from the 7 month the payments can be used towards a new instrument and lastly the assisted purchase scheme where if it is bought by the school or music centre then the cost of the VAT can be claimed back. The Yamaha YFL-211 is £489 inc VAT. The letter states "! Please do not buy an instrument on the internet. If you buy from a shop it may cost more but you are guaranteed to have an instrument that works, that has been serviced and is good quality. Poor quality instruments off the internet can often go wrong and can be very demotivating for children." I was hoping to upgrade to the cube as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 You could pick up that model on eBay for approx £250 or less. Some music shops sell their refurbished, shop soiled or trade in instruments there. £400+ for a student entry level instrument it a lot of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted July 21, 2011 Author Share Posted July 21, 2011 I thought so too but it seems servicing costs are expensive too £71.48 for a checkdown from £142.98 for a service with pads £4.50 so if I bought a second hand one from ebay and had to service it that would top up the cost. I see they have some second hand ones which are being serviced now I will try to find out the cost of these and maybe get in quick before everyone else gets round to it in the summer hols! I normally leave the school shoes to the last minute in case their feet grow over the summer and end up having to go to loads of shops to find some that fit as they have sold out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 You can ask about the condition of the pads, many have them repadded before selling on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share Posted July 22, 2011 Thanks Chucky Mama, I will keep a look out and see what's about, I don't play myself so its all new to me. Unfortunately our music centre has less funding this year so all the fees are going up in September such a shame as I'm sure it will put off a lot of people from starting an instrument. I will have to become more thrifty and try to save some money elsewhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Moderator Note: Please do not offer instruments for sale on this thread as it is against forum rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
