Making a flute purchase decision can be a difficult task. There are so many variations and so many considerations to weigh. Not to mention the price variance that can be a crucial factor when searching for the best flute to buy. Knowing the best flute brands can help the process.
Whereas cost and budget can influence your flute choice, you should be careful not to buy something too inexpensive. Although initial costs are low, running costs can be extremely high. Besides, they are difficult for even the most experienced player to play.
While you have many reasons to buy a flute due to the brand’s quality, it can be challenging to say what’s right for you and even harder to discern the good qualities of each of the products.
Some of the best flutes
Best Flutes For Intermediate Players
Intermediate flutes are really the best pick for music makers who have been playing for quite a while and are prepared to take a little more seriously to fine-tune their craft.
They are not yet at the pro level, but they are certainly not for learners.
An intermediate flute is a wise investment and an excellent choice for you if you are a learner who wants to rent a flute from a music shop or school and plan to continue playing, an intermediate flute is a wise investment and great choice for you.
Our experts spent hours researching manufacturer’s information and comments and reviews from buyers of these flute brands who are professional musicians and those who regularly use these flutes to ascertain what makes a better intermediate flute and that which makes these brands stand out.
Below, you will find a thorough review of each product to aid your decision in choosing the best intermediate flutes suitable for you.
Yamaha YFL-382
The Yamaha YFL-382 is one of the best robust and reliable intermediate flutes brands you can find on the market. It’s designed with nickel silver with power-forged keys, which makes it very tough and rugged.
It features neoprene key bumpers, pointed key arms, cleaning rod, and undercut embouchure core, suitable for intermediate flutists who want to hone their playing skills.
Kits:
- Cover and Case
- Polishing cloth included
- Manual
- Cleaning rod
Specs:
- Silver plating
- Neoprene key bumpers
- Footjoint Marking
- Open-hole keys
- Durable nickel silver design
Azumi AZ2
Azumi AZ2 is another best flute brand that is much recommended for intermediate flutists who want to take their playing skills to another level.
The Azumi brand has a distinctive Z-cut head-joint, which creates a more flexible and responsive tone, ideal for jazz players. It also comes with many great features that make flutists fine-tune it for desired playing styles.
Kits:
- Case and cover
- Silver plating
- Cleaning supplies
Specs:
- split E-mechanism
- Z-cut head-joint
- Rectangular embouchure
- Pointed key arms
- B foot
Jupiter JFL1000RB
Jupiter is a well known and reputed brand for quality. And when it comes to flutes that are suitable for an intermediate futurist, the Jupiter JFL1000RB affords all the required features to any serious student advancing their playing skills.
This brand has been tested and recommended for quality by both skilled technicians and professional flutists for quality and incredible features. Also, it incorporated a mechanism that allows you to fine-tune it to your desire.
Kits:
- Case and cover included
Spec:
- Silver nickel plating
- 925 Sterling Silver head-joint
- B-foot or C-foot style
- Open hole key style
Pearl 505RBE1RB
For any intermediate flutist who needs an excellent flute brand that is pocket friendly, the Pearl 505RBE1RB is a good choice to try out.
This brand, though very inexpensive, comes with many great features that many costly flutes lack. It maintains a high tone and sound standard with features like pinless mechanisms, and French pointed arms, and one-piece core-bar construction.
Besides, the offset-G is ideal for smaller hands and enables you to place more fingers.
Kits:
- B foot-joint
- Case and cover
- Cleaning rod and two cleaning cloth
Spec:
- Pinless mechanism
- B foot-joint
- split E mechanism
- pointed arms
Gemeinhardt
The Gemeinhardt flute is constructed with one of the finest materials, which makes it very durable.
This brand is reputed for using cutting-edge technology with significant consideration for quality. This flute is designed with a lot of excellent features, which make it very ideal for flutists of all levels.
We recommend this brand for both entry-level and intermediate players who want to advance their playing skills.
Kits:
- Case and cover
- Cleaning cloths
- Cleaning rod
Spec:
- Silver plating
- French-style key
- B-foot joint
- Power-Coined Keys
- Embouchure hole design
- Appropriated tone holes
- Pad cubs
How do I choose a good flute?
As a beginner, an intermediate, or advanced level flutist who wants to buy a flute, you may be tempted to go for the cheapest one. However, this may not be the best path to pick.
A higher-quality flute would have much good playability, intonation, projection and will speak in all ranges with greater clarity.
Choosing a good flute that is suitable for you may be tasking. When purchasing a flute either as a beginner, intermediate or advanced level player, there are vital components you should look out for.
Below, we have detailed some of the key features to check out before buying a flute, which would help you choose the one that is good and suitable for your needs.
- Tone
Acquaint yourself with the tones of the flute brands you admire. Attempt to explore them personally if you can, but look out for videos and other comparisons to get a clearer picture of the tonal characteristics that are known for the brand you would love to have
- Understand your ear to know what to listen for
You may say, “all flute sounds nice.” But you need to ask yourself precisely what you are listening for and ask yourself whether you want something that will aid your technical passages or experience your dynamic range or high notes.
Answering those questions would help you better understand what exactly is holding you back about your current flute to decide the right option for your next purchase.
3. Offset G keys vs. Inline
Every flute features either an offset or inline G key. Whereas only one key is moved a little to the left, the hand’s whole playing position is significantly adjusted.
You should consider the playing position that is comfortable for you to choose between the flute that comes with either offset or inline G key.
Best flute brands for professionals
A Top-quality flute is an investment necessary for someone who hopes to play professionally. The best flute for professionals is made of high-quality materials and is probably handmade rather than manufactured in the factory. There are many key features to regard when upgrading to a professional flute.
Below, we have provided a detailed review of our three top picks of the best flute for professionals, which would aid your decision when buying one.
The Yamaha 677H is the first on our list of the best all-around professional flute.
Yamaha, the world’s best-known flute brand, is renowned for its consistent and innovative designs. The 677H represents no exception. It not only delivers deep, sophisticated tones, but it also looks incredible. The flute is ideal for intermediate flutists who want to move to the professional level.
You can get this flute on Amazon here:
Kits:
- Hardshell case
- cover
- cleaning rod
Specs:
- Sterling silver plating
- Straubinger Phoenix Pads
- Straubinger Phoenix Pads
- Open key design
2. Azumi AZ3
The Azumi AZ3 is our next top choice for the best flute for professionals, which is an excellent option for anyone who aspires to play professionally.
When it goes from low to high tones, it reacts quickly and efficiently and is a better match for an orchestra, a band, or a jazz ensemble. Pointed key arms provide a polished, elegant look to this flute while enhancing key strength and making the pads wear evenly.
This brand is highly recommended for professional or intermediate flutists who want to take their playing skills to the next level.
You can get this flute here on amazon:
Kits:
- Case
- cover
Specs:
- Z-cut head-joint
- Sterling silver plating
- split E mechanism
- Rectangular embouchure
- Pointed key arms
Our last top choice of best flute for professionals is the Gemeinhardt 33OSB. This flute features silver-plated French-style open keys, which give the player complete control.
Also, about 12 carats white gold is used to make the springs that are exceptionally durable and responsive. The offset-G is designed for more natural hand placement, eSpecially for small-handed players who may not be comfortable with an inline position.
You can get this Kit here on Amazon:
Kits:
- Case
- Cover
- Cleaning rod
Spec:
- Sterling Silver plating body and head-joint
- Heavier crown
- Treated Unbleached professional pads
- Offset-G
What brand of flute is best for a beginner?
Learning how to play the flute or join the band of flutists is entertaining. For this purpose, you occasionally need to get a new flute to make the experience even more exciting and fun.
This task can be a bit overwhelming if you are purchasing a flute for the first time, particularly if you’re a beginner with no direction or advice.
We have provided our top three choices of best flute for beginners below with detailed review, which would give you great insight when deciding for your next buy.
Mendini is one of the best flute brands Specifically designed for beginners, approved by art technicians and flute teachers. It features a closed hole, undercut curved embouchure, error-free finish with double bladder pads of high quality, and many other features that make it great for beginners.
Kit
- Case
- Cover
- Cleaning rod
- Pair of glove
Spec:
- undercut curved embouchure
- Double bladder pads of exceptional quality,
- Durable rubber key bumper
- split E key
The Jean-Paul flute (FL-220) is one of the well-known flute brands for students that you can find on the market. It features excellent tone and is innovatively designed with high-quality material that makes it durable, something rare among other brands of the same price range.
It has a fantastic sound, playability, and strong longevity, all of which contribute to its recommendation as a great beginner or intermediate flute.
Kit:
- Cover
- Case
- Cleaning rod
- Cleaning cloth
Spec:
- Silver plating
- Power-forged keys
- Plateau key-style
- Offset-G key
This flute is well-known for quality and durability and is highly recognized worldwide as one of the best flutes for entry-level flutists.
It comes with many great features that offer you everything you need as a beginner for excellent playing experience.
Kits:
- Standard plastic case
- Cover
- Cleaning rod
- Cleaning material
Spec:
- Nickel silver plating
- Neoprene key bumpers
- Power-forged keys,
- Offset G C-Foot
Best Overall Flute Brands
There are currently many flute brands on the market Specifically designed for both learners, intermediate and professional flutists.
Some companies are well-renowned quality flute makers, while some are unpopular though their brand is excellent because of poor marketing pitch.
Our experts have done justice to researching the overall best flute brands. From our expert’s research through both customers’ reviews, Specifications, and personal experience with these musical instruments, we have been able to come up with a top three list of the overall best flute brands on the market.
- Yamaha
This brand is the first on our list. Yamaha is an outstanding company, with a decent image for quality and durability, and they are committed to maintaining this reputation as long as they are in the business.
You will also get significant value for cost, and they keep their value very well due to their prestige making them perfect for reselling when upgrading your flute.
It is one of the world’s leading conglomerate companies and produces a significant flute collection together with a set of other instruments.
Yamaha currently has several new products, and the impressive range includes enhanced features, new designs, and improved quality. It’s a well-known brand in the music field, and many individuals love to use its flutes due to its innovative features and several attributes.
2. Miyazawa
Second, on our list is Miyazawa. Miyazawa is a real premium brand that comes with cost-effective prices.
If you are really looking for the best flute, Miyazawa’s high range of premium quality flutes, designed from sturdy, even valuable metal like silver, Nickel, and Gold, can make sure you achieve the best sound quality you ever wanted in a flute on the market.
Miyazawa flutes come with thrilling dynamics, personal complexities, and strong projection, all backed by a marvelously smooth primary mechanism and consistent intonation. Every Miyazawa, designed with careful care and attention, is a combination of time-tested methods and revolutionary advances.
3. Gemeinhardt
The third and the last on our top list is Gemeinhardt. This brand has reportedly become the world’s largest producer of flutes and piccolos.
A good significant number of their products are still made in the US to this day. Established by a fourth-generation flute manufacturer from Germany, their selection is enormous, with more than 30 flute models on the market in all types of variations, intermediate flutes, student flutes, advanced-level flute, alto flutes, bass flutes, and more make up an awe-inspiring range
Conclusion
As with any instrument, there is a significant disparity in what will be used by the world’s best players, and those going to their first band practice.
Flutes are instruments with many nuances and need some outstanding craftsmanship to construct; therefore, they can go wrong easily. Make sure to stick with brands of good reputation, look for verified reviews from customers or technicians who are highly familiar with these brands before making a decision and don’t get stung!
