Just my first time in this nice Forum!

I`m now in my 3rd year of flute practise. I own a Gemeinhardt M2, that I bought many years ago (about 30 years...)and never used. It has closed plates.

I`m not much interested in contemporary music, but the plates being closed do not force me to keep good finger positions.

The instrument has been fine (to my student years, but my professor did not complain about it)... until now.

I have advanced and I think the instrumenent has deteriorated as the sound is getting worse.

When I compare my sound (particularly on low notes below E) with my professor`s I feel a little deppresed...

Anybody knows this "old" instrument? Is it worth having it (and could it be) repaired or should I upgrade to something better? If so, what would you recommend?

I would rather not spend more than 500$

I`m in Spain and far from the Gemeinhardt factory.

Thank you for your indications and help

Hi and welcome to the board.
I would try to upgrade if you can. It is called open holes. Just to help you out some.
If you are set on getting an open hole flute then you most likely are going to have to find a used brand for a half way decent one. I prefer closed hole and think that unless you are a Jazz player and have to bend notes, they are completely pointless. I plug mine up and can play much faster and more comfortably that way. Open holes will not improve your sound any and if anyone tells you this, they don`t have a clue what they are talking about. (Just to put it nicely.)

Bottom line, don`t kill your fingers if you don`t have to. Comfort is more important in the long run and will prevent you from any injuries in your hand later down the road.

I forgot to add that I always recommend Yamaha. For under $500 you should be able to find a used one. Check out www.useflutes.com

Hi Jose,

I would recommend that you find a local flute instructor and take a few lessons, let them know your concerns, and let them look at your flute. Considering that the flute is so old it may need new pads and a good adjustment. The cost of those could well make it worth it to buy another flute. A flute teacher will be able to confirm this for you. They should also be able to assist you in finding a suitable flute that you can afford.

For casual playing and even for a community orchestra just about any flute will do. You just want to make sure that it is in proper adjustment so that it really plays as it is supposed to. You want to stick with reputable brands so that you can rest assured that your flute will stay in good adjustment for a long while and not die on you.

I do not recommend buying a used flute unless you can get it from someone who professionaly deals with used flutes and you can bring someone, like a flute teacher, with you to examine the flute to make sure you are not robbed. Sadly most used flutes are not fit to play outright, especially if being sold out of classifieds/newspaper ads.

Best of luck.

Hi all!
Thank you all for your kind responses and wise opinions.

Kara, sorry about my English; it`s not my mother tongue but it´s important to learn the right technical names for the instrument.

My instructor (since 3 years) does raccommend me to get an open hole instrument. As I had a closed hole one when I started with her, we did with it until now.

Your opinion is very valuable and I have to re-think my decision of changing to open hole, though probably she will not like it much.

But I`m not young and straning my hands more than necessary may not be a good idea. I also know that the change will probably slow my advance and time for me is very important!

Also, I`m not interested in Jazz or POP and I concentrate in classical music. I love Quantz, Bach, Vivaldi Telemann, Mozart and many other barroque composers, even if I`m not at the level of playing most of their work (yet...)

The problem I have with wrong finger positions is that my right hand fingers some times press thrill keys when they shouldn`t. That produces wrong notes or bad sounds. I had assumed that with open holes, "my fingers" will have to learn the right position, farther from those keys I seldom use (at least for my present skill level).

Concerning an used instrument, I agree with SetphenK and have fear of buying something not in good condition, even with the help of my teacher.

Micron, thank you for the reference to Philip Herman. Sure I will get in contact with him.

Thanks micro.

It could well be that; or simply lack of enough skill. Of course it`s not the only or most important problem I have to deal with.

However, what about having an open hole instrument and playing (if the need arises) with the plugs that I have seen are included with instruments?

Playing permanently with plugs instead of closed holes is a disadvantage concerning sound or ease of playing - or in any other way?

I ask this because it might happen that I find an opportunity for a good used instrument, -say, a nice Yamaha- but with open holes and then I could consider not buying it if there is a real problem in playing with plugs

BTW, where is Delphi? Last month I have visited Delphi in Greece, is it the same?

I see it`s a complex issue. But I have lots of information to decide.

Thank you

Nah, don`t stress too much. Us flutists are just known for being extremely picky. Do what feels best to you. But I agree with Micron, the M2 is most likely holding you back.