Me too ... I live on a farm and had only heard and seen one played on the internet but fell in love with the sound. I did lots of research over the phone and online. Wound up going with Flute World where I was able to try before buying. The Flute Center of NY will do the same, as I'm sure some others. but these two stores had the best variety of pre-owned models. By the time my research was complete, I pretty much knew what I wanted - price-wise as well. It took some time, but it was well worth it in the end. I'm very happy with my DiMedici.

Hi there,

which DiMedici did you buy - the 12xx or 13xx series?

Of the Pearl, Jupiter and the Jupiter-Medici ones I can find on-line, I'm looking at the 13xx series Dimedici alto flutes.

Did you get a chance to test either? They've both quite an investment, so I figure I have another 6 months before I decide....

I've got the 1217ES. Its has the split E, sterling silver headjoint, silver plated body, but only comes with a straight head. (I didn't want a curved head and hoped I could handle playing with a straight head only.) I believe the 13xx series has a sterling silver hj and body, and different models will come with straight, curved, or both headjoints. That's where the price begins to rise very quickly. Not to mention the weight of the flute as well!

I do go back and forth playing the alto and the concert flute during the same service (I am a church musician) and when I make the change back to the concert flute it feels so short in my hands! But going either way is never a big problem. It just becomes a "muscle memory" thing.

My dean Yang is great very underrated

Oops - overlooked this post lol.

How much is a Dean Yang? What are its characteristics like compared to the other brands (Jupiter/Pearl/Jupiter-Dimedici)?

I see it got some great reviews.

I've got the 1217ES. Its has the split E, sterling silver headjoint, silver plated body, but only comes with a straight head. (I didn't want a curved head and hoped I could handle playing with a straight head only.) I believe the 13xx series has a sterling silver hj and body, and different models will come with straight, curved, or both headjoints. That's where the price begins to rise very quickly. Not to mention the weight of the flute as well!

The weight is starting to concern me. Maybe because I'm only on a loan alto for the next 5 days - and it's exhausting playing for more than 15 minutes holding it up!

I'm on a straight head too - this is fine lol when I remember to rotate the bottom joint so that my little finger can reach the G roller.

Sounds like you're happy with the 1217ES series.

Will it be okay to get you through the grade exams?

"I'm on a straight head too - this is fine lol when I remember to rotate the bottom joint so that my little finger can reach the G roller. " It is still called a low C roller.

I don't care what the hell it's called - I can reach it!!!

Now if only I could play alto flute better ...

I bought an Alto a couple of months ago. My budget was about $2000 $2500 and of the ones I tried, I thought the Trevor James was the easiest for me to play AND reach all the keys. I held off buying a new performance series for $1800 and found an older used Trevor James Master Series Alto for $1300 online and have been happy with the tone I get from it. There are a number of these used for sale online and I would recommend them. The Masters Series is an older series that was between their current lower end Performance Series and higher end Recital series.

That's a really good idea actually.

I like Trevor James flutes - I have their popular student TX10 series which is very smooth and warm and only cost the same as the Yamaha 211.

You're lucky with that purchase. I bought a used flute before and all the keys were out of alignment; pads needed replacement. Felt like something had knocked it badly during its life time but it was cheap and made a sound (not very flattering lol).

I'm sure you're right - however I'm not sure how your statement helps anyone to make a practical design to buy an affordable intermediate flute.

Current market convention is that the majority of intermediate flutes are either a) silver plated or b) silver.

Silver is safer for many reasons: it is lighter than brass or steel alloys and fewer people are allergic to silver, compared to brass or nickel....speaking of which...

What about the Trevor James black nickel plated flute? I guess that would be an affordable alternative ... are there any design advantages to having black nickel, or is this purely cosmetic?

That Yamaha makes a brass flute that is more expensive than the high-end intermediate silver body flutes doesn't really help when there are no brass options for the intermediate market ;( I'd rather have a platinum or white gold flute of the same price than a brass flute. Oops - those are even dearer :D

http://www.brannenflutes.com/price.html

Solid silver is a safe bet - that way if you can't stand the flute after playing it you can melt it down and turn it into a sculpture lol.

You're absolutely right - I don't understand what your point has to do with what to look for in an alto flute.

How can any newcomer to the alto flute, decide to buy a new flute based on its "design"?

There is a huge difference in practice, which even I as a beginner can discern, between using a solid silver head joint vs a silver plated head joint. That might be simplistic, but it is what the majority of manufacturers offer.

It is primarily the solid head joint I'm interested in - the body materials are less important and there's no illusion here about that.

You are right - I am not looking for a professional model. In that respect, I'm still wondering what kind of flute, based on the merits you've described, which you can recommend. A brand name, rather than the theoretical materials engineering response would be appreciated.


What is relevant is the quality of design of the flute, no matter what level of flute you buy. That's what makes it play well and last well.

Hence, don't get hung up on "silver this or that."

A so-called "Intermediate" flute is usually exactly the same as a basic one, but with some Sterling silver in the tubing, that adds to prestige - snob value - and price, but really adds nothing to the flute.

The dean Yang has a silver lip and it does help on the high notes , but I am selling my dean yang cause i just got a bass flute cant afford both. Its going on ebay with a 1100 reserve its in mint condition


Cheers

Doug

Micron -

you're really not helping, no matter what your intentions might be.

First you suggest that "design" is the most salient criterion for deciding on a flute. Then you seem to suggest that it doesn't matter anyway because there are no intermediate flutes which have the "design" properties which would make it sound better.

Then you imply that I must be deaf, or stupid and prone to the placebo effect, because, like many other flutists, I can discern the difference in resonance; timbre; effort of blowing and quality of the sound produced from a solid silver head, compared to silver plated head.

I appreciate you and others are way more experienced when it comes to choosing flutes: perhaps you can recommend a brand in the intermediate bracket to justify your theoretical musings in order to render them more tangible?

Sorry if I sound rude. I just don't understand the kind of materials science and design engineering talk that you seem to be espousing. I'd like to play a decent quality alto flute - not study for a Phd in sound engineering or materials science. And if you have any experience to share on brands of alto flutes out there - please feel welcome. I can understand that level of discourse.

Thanks.




PS to the OP of the Dean Yang - i can't see that Dean Yang alto flute on ebay - have you changed your mind?

All will become clear here:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=numptie

List, I try as many new altos and basses at the NFA Convention as time allows. Here are my recommendations for 2010-11. More info on my website altoflute.net. Alto Flutes Models under $3000 (most come with curved and/or straight heads) Dean Yang diMedici DiZhao Jupiter Pearl Sonare (sterling head model - straight head only) Trevor James Models between $3001 and $5000 Altus diMedici Trevor James Models above $5000 Eva Kingma - has an open-hole model - straight head only Miyazawa - straight head only Yamaha - I don't like the bright tone of this gold-brass alloy, but otherwise this is a fine instrument

Thanks Chris!

That's exactly what I was looking for!

You've got a great website and that's quite a lot of experience of alto flutes behind you too.

Can you clarify any of the characteristics of the intermediate flutes at all?

For instance - I'm curious to see how you found the sound characteristics of the Trevor James vs the Dimedici or the Sonare brands in the same price bracket.

I'd certainly value your perspective.

Thanks!

You're lucky with that purchase. I bought a used flute before and all the keys were out of alignment; pads needed replacement. Felt like something had knocked it badly during its life time but it was cheap and made a sound (not very flattering lol).

Did you buy the flute from a direct seller or a retailer? Just curious.

Numptie,

I think the brands that everyone endorsed here are good choices (especially TJ and DiMedici), but the best way to know which one is best for you is to try them. If you are not near a flute shop I know that some places like J.L. Smith will ship altos to you on trial. Then you will be able to evaluate what is too heavy, whether or not a straight headjoint is too long for you, and most importantly which instrument has the best value for your playing style.

Good luck in your search!