I finally got my Jupiter 521 alto flute. I am renting it but probably will buy it. I got it today and already performed in church on it I am not used to the increased weight, but will soon lol. My low register is my strongest on concert flute so it sounds glorious.. I was even transposing at sight at church (well hymns nothing hard...I play in church orchestra so I am always playing Bb and F parts and actually go between them in the same piece). I am not so sure of the upper register (have to get used to the harmonicy sound...). Is the upper register supposed to sound very harmonicy (meaning as if you are playing the harmonics rather than the real note?) Will tone exercises help this?

Congrats on the new flute. Enjoy it.

I am sorry, but I can't help you with the harmonics. I have never played an alto flute.

Maybe someone else knows.

alto people..is this a decent instrument? I know it is one of the cheapest around. It is used (but barely looks like new to me) and they want 1,395 CAN for it (list price is 2100 I think).Would I be wasting my money or should I just get a more expensive one

depends on your needs, a top line alto is quite a bit, Jupiter does make an alto in their DeMedici line, which I have owned..are you playing the alto with the curved or straight headjoint? The harmonic sound is typical for alto, that is why the range is usually a bit limited, as it is on bass..

I have the same alto and love it.

it has a straight and curved HJ but I am mostly using the straight one.

ive never actually played the jupiter alto, but ive played on the dimedici alto. from what i hear they dont differ much. i guess youre just paying more for the french pointed arms or for more silver content. but youd have to figure that one out on your own. what ive heard is only through the grapevine.

if you like the instrument, keep it!

i would, however, be interested in knowing how the dean yang alto plays and how it compares to others in its price range, such as the jupiter.

also, i found a used jupiter 517 on flute world. even though it only has the straight headjoint, its $1095 which is cheaper than the one youre trying out. then again, you may prefer the curved headjoint. personally, i dont like it. i like the straight.

anyway, if you get a chance to try other altos out, let me know. id like to know how they compare. and i dont feel like driving down the flute world to try it myself. we just got dumped with snow (go figure. its michigan).

Well, I live in northern Nova Scotia so not much chance to try altos LOL. I ordered this one in October and it took until thursday to get here!! I am going to ottawa this summer and will check if there are any there

are you using the alto often, or does it sit for awhile to then be picked up and played for a few minutes? I like a lighter alto if it is used in this way, especially if one is in a cold studio or orchestra pit, they can take awhile to warm up..I knew a broadway free-lancer that had to have a small space heater in front of the alto to keep it warm!

I will basically be using it in flute choir and the occasional solo (esp at church) and even perhaps in the church orchestra.