Best Flute for Beginners Review – Top Rated Options in 2021 with Buying Guide
In this article, you’ll find out what the best flutes for beginners are, and this might be especially helpful if you don’t have the time to research the topic yourself. Our team has carefully examined the top-rated products in this category and concluded that the instrument you should consider is Gemeinhardt’s 3OBGLP model. The open hole keys construction and the fact that it offers the specifications recommended by many teachers make this one of the most popular products. Moreover, the all-silver plated design and gold-plated lip plate ensure the necessary durability. In case this alternative is unavailable, the next option you should keep in mind is Gemeinhardt’s 2SP Flute with Straight Headjoint.
Comparison Table
Our Top Choice
Beginners and students can use this instrument to start playing, and the great news is that the model will serve them as they hone their skills and become better flute players. The B foot joint is one of the most important features of this particular model. It is useful for helping advanced players to use the upper register in a more efficient manner. The open hole keys are an element of design that also makes this flute very attractive.
The price is somewhat high, especially for a beginner.
An intermediate instrument that will help both beginners and advanced players to progress.
2nd Best
Any beginner will find this model to be an excellent option because it is not as expensive as other models on the market. Also, it has some important features, such as the silver plated finish. You can rest assured that your flute will continue to look great for a long time. The straight design is indicated for beginners that can start playing and learn all the basics without any complications. If you are looking for great value, this is it.
The cut for the tone holes makes it not that easy to play as others.
A silver plated, durable model that will serve the purpose of helping beginners learn the basics.
Also To Consider
The closed key design may be preferred by some players, especially beginners, mainly because they can obtain better sounds playing such an instrument. The nickel-plated finish makes it durable, and, while it is not on par with silver-plated models, for the price, it offers a pretty good deal. A few essential accessories are provided with your purchase, such as a carrying case, a cleaning cloth, and gloves.
The high notes will not sound as you might expect them to do.
A decently priced alternative that comes packed with plenty of extras, for easy maintenance.
7 Best Flutes for Beginners (Reviews) in 2021
Going through the units available today looking for the best beginner flute might be a little overwhelming, especially if you don’t have that much experience when it comes to musical instruments. The reviews of flute for beginners that we’ve compiled below showcase some of the highest-rated models, so take a look and pick the right one for your needs.
- 1. Gemeinhardt 3OBGLP Offset Flute with Gold Lip Plate
- 2. Gemeinhardt 2SP Flute with Straight Headjoint
- 3. Jean Paul Student Flute with Case
- 4. Gemeinhardt 3OB Flute, Silver Plated J1 headjoint
- 5. Gemeinhardt 2SH Flute Chrome
- 6. Nickel Plated C Flute with Burgundy Case
- 7. Ravel Student Flute RFL102
- Yearly Guide & Report
1. Gemeinhardt 3OBGLP Offset Flute with Gold Lip Plate
If a good beginner flute is what you are looking for, then Gemeinhardt’s 3OBGLP model might be the answer to your quest. This is an intermediate flute with a B foot joint that offers the specifications recommended by many teachers to those students who want to purchase a first instrument to get started on this path.
The model features open hole keys, something also known as a French mechanism, and is one of the most popular ones offered by the manufacturer. The B foot joint creates a longer tube which allows a greater resonance in the flute and also allows more advanced students to use their fingers alternatively for a better performance in the upper register.
With an all-silver plated design and a gold-plated lip plate, this flute is also a beautiful instrument that offers excellent performance, and that you’ll surely enjoy playing. Sturdily built, it will surely withstand many practice sessions.
Click to see the price on Amazon!
2. Gemeinhardt 2SP Flute with Straight Headjoint
Going through various student flutes reviews can be overwhelming, especially since there are many models available for sale, and you might not be sure which option is the right one. If this is precisely the situation you find yourself in, then take a look at Gemeinhardt 2SP Flute with Straight Headjoint.
This model works very well for a beginner. First of all, the silver plated finish ensures the necessary durability, as musical instruments tend to need special care in order to be properly maintained. As they are played, the acids and oils from the hands and saliva can damage them if they are not properly built.
Moreover, the straight flute can be an excellent kick-off option, as learning the correct technique from the beginning can mean an overall better progress towards professional levels for some students. Professionally padded and with an offset G key, this is certainly a model that you can try out.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($398.99)
3. Jean Paul Student Flute with Case
Similarly to finding a good saxophone for beginners, choosing the right flute for someone who is just getting started means understanding what characteristics you should look for in an instrument. At the same time, going for a model made by a reliable manufacturer, such as the FL-220 that Jean Paul USA offers, is also a good idea.
This flute is in the key of C with a closed hole key system, which for some players can mean they can form better sounds. Specially designed for students who are just getting started and for intermediate musicians, the beautiful cupronickel body features a nickel-plated finish that ensures the needed durability for multiple practicing sessions.
The flute comes with a robust carrying case that protects it and ensures easy transportation, as well as with gloves, a cleaning cloth, and a cleaning rod. After all, ensuring the flute’s maintenance is an important part of learning how to play it.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($199.99)
4. Gemeinhardt 3OB Flute, Silver Plated J1 headjoint
We couldn’t compile this beginner flute reviews selection without including Gemeinhardt’s 3OB model which is an example of a very good instrument designed with the student’s needs in mind, and made for those who are just getting started or are at an intermediate level.
The silver plated headjoint, body and foot joint ensure the needed durability for the many practice sessions that are necessary in order to master the art of playing it flawlessly. Although it is not one of the cheap flutes for beginners, the differences can be seen in terms of quality of construction and sounds.
The open hole keys might come in handy for some students. This is more a matter of personal preference and teaching or learning style, than one of quality of the instrument. The flute also comes with a case for easy transportation and a protecting cover, so you don’t have to worry about your kid carrying it around.
Click to see the price on Amazon!
5. Gemeinhardt 2SH Flute Chrome
Gemeinhardt’s 2SH model is a student flute that offers the resonance and tone quality of a sterling silver headjoint, combining this with the durability of a plated body and the ease of use offered by a plateau mechanism. The closed hole model is a matter of playing technique, so it’s good to know what mechanism is offered by each model.
The flute covers the key of C and features a solid silver head joint that is the standard one offered by this model. For some users, this might be really great news as, in some cases, the silver construction can prevent allergic reactions.
With a silver-plated body, foot, and keys, this flute is sturdily built and can withstand many practice sessions, as it was made for beginning and intermediate musicians. If you want to help your kid discover other musical instruments as well, you can look into some fine digital pianos.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($749)
6. Nickel Plated C Flute with Burgundy Case
This nickel plated, closed hole C foot flute was specially made for beginners or intermediate musicians, so if you are just getting started or already have some experience but not that much, keep on reading.
The flute is in the key of C, which is the most used one, and features stainless steel springs with an offset G key system and split E mechanism which means that some sounds and notes will be easier to create and sustain.
Recommended by most flute teachers, the model is also ergonomically designed with precisely-drawn tone holes, so that any student can make the desired progress.
The beautiful burgundy case it comes with is rainproof and includes a shoulder strap, meaning that you’ll be able to easily carry it around. Moreover, the flute also comes with a cleaning cloth, a cleaning rod, grease and a screwdriver, as ensuring the instrument’s correct maintenance is a crucial step in the learning process.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($121.19)
7. Ravel Student Flute RFL102
Ravel’s RFL102 is a reliable and high-quality tool that ensures a warm sound with good projection. The flute is suitable for both the concert stage and the marching field, and although it’s an affordable model, this does not mean it comes short in terms of quality.
The silver plated construction provides durability, while the offset G key allows a more comfortable and natural hand position, as well as stability and protection for the left-hand keys. The Split E mechanism improves the production of the high E in the third octave.
The flute comes with a cleaning rod, a polishing cloth, and white gloves, as well as with a hard shell ABS plastic case with a foam-lined interior that ensures the instrument’s protection during transportation.
The manufacturer’s goal is to inspire performance and passion among musicians, so if that’s what you want for yourself or a loved one, you can give this flute a try.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($239)
Yearly Guide & Report
Choosing the right flute for beginners can be a daunting task, as these instruments are not necessarily part of the extremely affordable category. Moreover, if you know little about the topic, you might not be sure what to actually look for, but as you probably imagine, musical instruments have many particularities that you should be aware of.
Given that we know how important this step is, especially if you want the desired progress to be made during practice, we’ve put together the guide below to help you figure out what are the things that you should keep in mind.
There are multiple types and flute models on the market so, to figure out which one best suits your needs or those of a loved one, let’s take a look at the way they are built. This way, you’ll better understand what goes where, and which characteristics are of interest to you.
The flute’s anatomy
Any flute has three major parts, and these are the headjoint, the body, and the foot joint. The headjoint is actually the top of the instrument, and this is where the lip plate and embouchure hole are located.
On the tip of this part you’ll find a cork which needs to be carefully handled during cleaning, as this component seals the flute so that the air only goes through its body, and not the other way around. In case the cork gets damaged, it will need to be fixed by an instrumental repair shop.
The body is the mid-section that contains the main mechanisms, as well as the majority of the keys. You should always make sure that the key springs are handled with care, as they are finely adjusted for high sound quality.
The footjoint contains those keys that enable the player to extend the bottom of the range. The right pinky finger is the one used to play them. On the more advanced models, the footjoint contains additional ones that are used to extend the range even more.
Inline or offset G keys
As you might have seen, one of the biggest variants when shopping for a flute is the position of the G key. There are two possible placements, and these are either inline or offset. Although in the offset model only one key is slightly shifted to the left, the entire playing position of the musician’s hand is significantly altered.
In the end, the choice here is more a matter of personal preference and it comes down to whichever position is actually more comfortable to the player. This can also depend on teaching style, so if you take lessons, you can ask your teacher which option is better for you.
Beginner flutes
Although a flute is not the cheapest item one can purchase and the temptation of going for a less expensive option can be quite high, you should still take into consideration that a higher quality model usually offers a better value for money.
Many benefits come with such an alternative, including a better intonation, playability, and clearer sounds produced in all ranges. If a beginner uses a lower-grade flute, the frustration that can appear while trying to learn can compromise the entire process.
For younger students, getting started on a standard flute model can be quite hard, as reaching the right keys can prove to be a challenge. As a solution, some models feature curved headjoints that extend the player’s reach, making the entire process easier.
Student flutes
Some models are dedicated for students and these usually have plateau (or closed holes) on the keys. What this means is that the instrument is easier to play since the sound doesn’t come out through the end, as it’s sometimes commonly thought. However, this closed construction can alter the produced sounds.
Flutes for beginner and intermediate levels are usually made of a nickel and silver alloy, which can prove to be more durable than silver alone. Of course, the silver plating is the most popular option due to its brilliance, but nickel-plated ones are a more affordable option. In case the player deals with any kind of allergies, then the plating should be chosen accordingly.
Intermediate flutes
The transition towards the intermediate models can be quite hard, as it means getting used to open-hole keys. Key plugs are available and they can be inserted into the holes to make this process easier. Although they do not damage the instrument, they do alter the sound and prevent it from resonating at its full potential.
Bibliography:
1) Flute – definition, history and types
4) An illustrated history of the flute
