I'm a classcial guitarist (intermediate) - my daughter and I play pieces from the Rosewood book. We're good enough to perform at small family gatherings - not too much wincing and grimacing (except from my 9 yo son). She has an old Armstrong - wondering how much better her tone could be if we upgraded.

I am thinking to rent a top-of-the-line model - maybe it would inspire her to practice more than once in a while. Her playing is amazingly good for someone so little inclined to practice.

Any thoughts? Either on an upgrade flute or a talented daughter letting her gift slip away...

I don't think that a music store would rent out a top of the line model as these usually cost anywhere from $8,000.00 and up. She may get a better tone on a Yamaha 221 as they do have a better cut headjoint and overall mechanism and build of the flute it better in my opinion. I would look into the Azumi line and Yamaha, both are fantastic flutes. Without being able to hear her play, I can't really say if she would benefit from a flute beyond that level. Hope that helps and good luck to you with it.

i remember my old armstrong. when i upgraded to an open holed, silver gemeinhardt (not much of an upgrade, i know) i sounded so much better. id take her to a store that sells flutes (preferably one with people who know what theyre talking about. if that option is unavailble to you, figure out a price range (you cant typically rent out a flute thats any higher than a student model, which that armstrong is, im assuming) and contact flute world about flutes within that price range. theyll send some to you on trial and she can pick out which one she likes/doesnt like. look into used flutes as well. there are some nice used professional models out there for an amount that wont send you into ICU.

Thanks for the responses. Now my thoughts are to get a student flute, either a Yamaha 221 or (suggested by a local flute tech) a student Pearl, and then upgrade the headjoint. He was insistent that the Drellinger headjoint is the way to go. I don;t see them carried on fluteworld. Also suggested elsewhere here, is the Yamaha EC headjoint.

What would you do? I am willing to go used too...

I personally do not care for Drellinger headjoints, but that is just me. You daughter would be best getting a selection of headjoints and trying them out and see what suites her best. The same goes with the flute. I could suggest my favorite brand of headjoints, but but I like your daughter may not. It is a very personal choice. I think the EC is a good headjoint but there are far more superior headjoints then that on the market. To me is doesn't have much color or life to it when compared to say a Powell, Nagahara, Sheridan, Williams or Goosman would. For what it is worth, the Goosman Butterfly headjoint is amazingly responsive and plays with the most ease that I have ever played on a headjoint before and the sound and colors are gorgeous. I just bought a Goosman myself.

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Sorry for the typing errors. I have a bad habit of typing faster then I can think at times. lol!!