Is a "conservatory" model flute the same thing as an intermediate model? If so, why not just call it an intermediate instrument... the same as a trumpet, clarinet or any other instrument? Is the term "conservatory" just used by certain manufacturers of flutes, or is that a term that all flute makers generally use?
It's not so much the name as it is the specs and quality that designates the level of the instrument. For example, there are Powell "conservatory" flutes and Gemeinhardt "conservatory" flutes. The Powell is a professional instrument with drawn tone holes instead of soldered tone holes and a price tag of a few thousand less than a top of the line Powell. The Gemeinhardt, even the conservatory models or the ones they designate as "professional" are still really student/intermediate flutes just with some bells and whistles added. The quality, tone, longevity and reliability are vastly different, but so will the pricetags!
Even a flute that is all silver may not be as good as a silver plated instrument: it's the quality of craftmanship and the mechanism that really make the difference. I'll take a silver-plated Muramatsu over a solid silver Gemeinhardt any day!
Okay, thanks for that information. Would you say then that... the term "conservatory" doesn't really mean much of anything by itself? A Powell and a Gemeinhardt "conservatory" flute are two completely different "animals." It's the specifications, quality and playability that really define the quality of a flute then. It seems to me that the terms student model, intermediate model and professional model really are more accurate terms to use, even though there is still a very wide gamut of instrument within each of those 3 levels.
Yes, "conservatory" really doesn't mean much. Marketing and cute names is all it is, really. What the company designates as student/intermediate/professional is more reliable, but that can be taken with a grain of salt with some companies. Really, it's the reliability and quality that's more important. For example, a student yamaha flute can be more durable than some band flute company's "professional" flute. Are you looking for a flute, or just browsing and are curious?
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