Hey,

I'm new to this forum, and wanted some advice on purchasing an intermediate flute. I plan to play casually(I'll try to play as much as I can) with good intentions of looking in to jazz improv. My budget is at most $1,200. I am looking for a flute with a dark tone, B-foot, open holes, off-set g. Any suggestions?

I have heard that Azumi's are good...

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Add: I've been playing for about 5 years.

Are you looking for a new or used flute? If you want a new flute for that price, you'd be pretty limited to upgraded student model flutes, and not ones that make a huge difference.

To piper: I'm looking for a flute that is new or used.I'm kind of on a low budget this is the most I could spend at the moment.

To theflutist: Yea, I'm in need of a flute that will be solid enough to hold me until I decide to upgrade to one of the pre-professional flutes, ie. muramatsu is one I was really looking into. I visited fluteworld.com and saw a used Sonare sf51 and a new Azumi 2000 which were both in my price range. I understand that I would have to try both out but which one would hold until I upgrade? Have any ideas to where to find some of those used flutes?

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I meant professional flutes, ie. muramastus, etc

A flute that sounds "dark" for one person might sound bright for another. It's not the flute that has the sound, it's the player that makes the sound on that particular flute.

You'll be better off trying as many as possible to find one that sounds good for you.

ahh I see...thanks for the info.

I tend to lean towards what Micron posted. But, if the original posted is playing Jazz, then maybe an open hole flute would come in handy for bending notes? I don't know, I don't play jazz, I am just taking a guess. After many years of playing and hurting hands from trying to cover holes and hit the low C without the B roller getting in the way, I much prefer closed holes and C foot for comfort. If I do come across a low B in music (which doesn't happen much) then I will take out my B foot. It is frustrating to see how many people in the US are being pushed to believe that these things are considered upgrades. I had a customer wanting an "intermediate" (over glorified student flute) with open holes, solid silver and B foot for her second year student daughter. Why? Because in competition she said that the judges frown upon closed hole, C foot flutes and she can lose points. Also, because the band director thought so. You wouldn't believe how many times I hear this and want to beat my head against the nearest wall! It would be nice however it more student/intermediate line flute makers would incorporate and interchangeable C/B footjoint. Or even all flute makers! And before you suggest it Micron, putting a tube on the end of your C footjoint will work, but then you can not play the C.

Have you looked into Amadeus Flutes? They're pretty affordable...I think their 600 model retails around $1,160.00 on flute world or something. Just within your price range.

They're supposed to have a rly dark tone so you might like this flute.