20 Best Flute Brands For Intermediates (2023 Updated)

After having a student flute for 20something plus years that needed a service for many of them, it’s been such a joy to play this. It plays like a dream and it’s such a gorgeous sound. I love the sound of the mouthpiece and the higher notes are so easy to produce.

The keys feel so nice under the fingers. It’ll take a while to get used to a new flute, but since I’ve stayed with Yamaha, it’s not too different, I don’t think it’ll take long. I’m absolutely in love it it.

I don’t see any cons so far! Out of my budget, I spent ages looking for the right fit and I’m really happy with the one I picked.

I am a music teacher who performs actively on the job daily and weekly on flute with my students and in a worship setting as part of my position. My first Yamaha flute purchase was a YFL-361H that I still love to play and use, that was purchased in the spring of 2015.

I tried a 461H some time after the first purchase, and could hear and feel a difference between the two models. I liked the YFL-461H because it was more affordable for me than a professional model, played very well, and was a perfect instrument for what I do.

First, the keys on this flute are very comfortable under my fingers and are solid. Secondly, the solid silver head that comes with this flute works well for me with its smooth transitions between other intervals and octaves.

This flute, because it is solid silver, is heavier, and plays with a darker sound with less spread than the 361H from my experience. Finally, both the YFL-361H and YFL-461H flutes I purchased were setup well right out of the box.

This is not something very common with many other brands, that are much more costly, from my experience. From a design perspective, the 361H and 461H seem to be the same with different materials. The 361H has a solid silver head, nickel silver body, b foot, Offset G, and nickel silver keys with a plastic hard case.

The 461H has a solid silver head, solid silver body, b foot, Offset G, and nickel silver keys with a French style case with cover. I really like them both a great deal, and purchased not just one YFL-461H, but two.

I am awaiting the delivery of the second YFL-461H, which I purchased simultaneously with the first, which is expected at any time. I highly recommend Yamaha flutes.

I purchased this series flute for my son who is entering high school. This flute is an interstate flute and I purchased this specific model due to some key features it has. All 400 series Yamaha flutes a full.

925 silver (head joint, body and foot joint). This allows a better rot her sound from the flute over a non fully silver flute. Also, this model also is a split G rather than a straight line flute. It allows easier playing for someone with smaller hands.

It also resembles the Yamaha student flute which allows an easier transition to the intermediate flute. This flute is a French model open holed flute- giving new artistry to a still learning student.

Lastly, the “h” part of the model # signifies this flute has an extra note on it foot joint and is referred to as a B foot. While not used frequently, it does give more depth when playing. I probably could have forgone the B foot, but this flute will grown with him for many, many year and into college if he decides to continue.

New- this flute retails for a little over $2400 and I’ve seen some as low at $2000, but this one was in excellent condition. At under $1000, it was priced well and needed very little done to it when we received.

Be sure to research the item your looking for. There are many good flutes, this was just the best for my son.

Gemeinhardt used to put big, heavy washers into each key cup. All that did was slow down tracking. Our relatively big keys on the flute are the reason why piccolos and clarinets can work up a new piece faster than we can.

Making the keys even heavier is not a good idea. And it isn’t like Gemeinhardt is the only company that doesn’t care about angular momentum. The Powell 2100 suffered an even worse fate. Their heavy washers rusted so you got a pad leak with every rust bubble.

Gemeinhardt has been an OK student flute for decades and decades. Their reputation will be hard to shake off because there are hundreds of thousands of them languishing out there in closets or in saxophone gig bags.

That being said, finally, Gammies play with a beautiful sound that is not so stereotypically Gemeinhardt. Now all they have to do is go back and cut all those clunkers.

Wow! This flute is so beautiful! The sound is incredible. clear and rich! It’s so easy to play that I am actually having trouble getting used to it. lol! My previous flute is old and I had to press very hard to get notes out.

I got the sterling silver plugs which Rich Lupo installed for me. They look like theybare part of the flute. This thing is a work of art as well! I am very happy with it. The price was also great! I am not a professional, so I can’t speak to anything that a professional would be lookinf for in a flute.

After 47 years it was just time for a newer, better flute. This one was a perfect choice for me. I wanted the same brand I was used to, Gemeinhardt. They have a great reputation. You will not ne sorry if you decide to purchase this flute!.

Decided to learn to play the flute, went to purchase flute at Sam Ash the associate Laleyna gave a us a few recommendation and provided use with a few to test so we can hear the sound and decide which one we like the best.

The Gemeinhardt has been a wonderful flute to learn on my progress is slow but extremely enjoyable. I greatly recommend this flute and shopping at Sam Ash with Laleyna she was extremely attentive and answered all of my question.

I recently returned to playing the flute after a very long gap. I set a rough price range and tried flutes from Yamaha, Trevor James, Pearl and Azumi. From the outset, the Azumi stood out for two main reasons: the strong resonant tone which could be easily obtained, and the quality feel of the mechanism.

Having narrowed it down to Azumi, I tried three different flutes. The AZ-Z1 (silver lip plate & riser, but otherwise silver plated nickel) was a good instrument. But stepping up to the AZ-Z2 with a solid silver head joint made the tone noticeably richer.

(I had been sceptical about the difference a silver head joint would make, but found it to be substantial. ) I experimented for some time with the two different embouchure hole cuts available with the AZ2: Z described as free blowing; and S described as offering more resistance.

(I didn’t find these descriptions particularly helpful, and trying the flutes is definitely the best way to differentiate the two types. ) The Z produces a very strong tone in the lower register, and is very easy to play at this pitch.

The S cut requires more precise embouchure in the lower register, but can equal this tone. I found the middle and highest register easier with the S cut. Another advantage of the S cut was that it seemed to offer more variety in tone, with more scope to play sweetly and delicately, or alternatively to blast out a really strong resonant tone.

The S cut also could be played more quietly at the higher notes. Having now played the instrument more at home, I have not been disappointed. I can readily get a variety of tone and dynamics, and can jump easily from one register to another up or down an octave or more.

The mechanism works smoothly and reliably. A pleasure to play.

I’ve played flute since I was a child, so at age 50+ there’s no doubt I’m sticking with it. I play now with a trio, performing classical music, and original pieces composed by our cellist; I’m working on modern compositions by Toru Takemitsu and learning jazz, so I’m all over the place, musically.

My first big upgrade was to an Armstrong 80BT, and this is my second big upgrade. The Azumi AZ3-RBO is beautiful to behold, and a pleasure to play. Low notes sound rich and deep, 4th octave high C plays as easily, with much less effort.

Haven’t found a resistant note yet. The flute feels good in my hands, well-balanced. I’m not using as much air compared to my Armstrong – I think my playing improved a few levels just opening up the box! The offset G is a pleasure after a lifetime of playing an inline model.

Will appreciate having the C# trill key, too. That this is a sterling silver instrument with a handmade Altus headjoint, at this price point, is astonishing. The Flute Gods were with me; I ordered the open box, blemished model.

extremely good value for the flute I’ve been longing for all my life.

While I am still trying to get the right embouchure and technique. This seems to be an excellent flute. Arrived with the flute box inside of a cardboard box inside of another cardboard box. Beautiful to look at and sounds great.

My only complaint is with the footjoint. It’s fit was so tight that once I got it together I didn’t think I could get it apart. And I have a good grip and pretty good strength. Tried the smallest amount of cork grease and even a little Vaseline.

Even though this is really not recommended. Did not help at all. Cleaned it thoroughly with alcohol and clean rags. After reading about this problem it turns out that either graphite or wax is the recommended solution.

Made it much easier and little by little it is getting better. Although it is still very snug I can now get it off and on without to much trouble. Overall I like it very much.

Best Flute for a beginning Beginner, I’m a multi musician who wants to learn to play flute. But Flutes are delicate Expensive Mechanical peacespeices of jewelry that not only require proper care but routine servicing and tune ups by a specialized flute tech.

Not only that but it is difficult for a beginner to even get a sound out of the instrument. But this wonderful Nuvo Flute solves all those problems because it is made out of plastic. I Stared out trying to play flute on a $700 silver plated student model.

(not from guitar center) but the pads looked like they were turning yellow, it was tarnishing so it required lots of polishing and there were places I could not get to without taking it to a flute tech and spending more money, and it was hard to get notes out of so I took it back To get this Nuvo flute and it is much EZer to play it even has a special tooting switch out mouth piece than enables you to get notes out of it when you before you learn how to get notes out of the standard mouthpiece.

So I am able to play this thing right out of the box without any flute lessons Just this Youtube fingering video. Sure experienced player can get more range and volume out of expensive pro flute but how can a beginning beginner know what flute they prefer when they don’t know how to play yet? After Building flute skills on this I will be able to try out different metal flutes and invest in the metal flute that plays best for me.

But starting on this makes flute way EZer to learn and it saves me money. Greatest thing ever.

I bought this flute and think it’s fabulous especially it being plastic real funky. It’s a fun instrument. Although it’s been said good for beginners but I would disagree. I think any child or adult should start with a metal flute and learn in the proper way.

This flute is great for having some fun and it has a lovely tone but in my opinion not suitable for beginners. I really enjoy playing it.

I didnt expect a plastic flute to be easy to blow a sound on and I didnt expect it to sound like a real flute. I was wrong on both counts. Plus its light to heft and not easy to dent, scratch or damage like a metal flute.

Like that it can always be kept out on a stand ready to play. Easy to clean, can even get wet, can clean it in the dishwasher. Love the blue color.

My daughter had used gemeinhardt flute and piccolo in high school. They were very high quality and had better sound than more expensive instruments. So when she needed an intermediate/advanced flute for college I looked for the best value in Yamaha and Gemeinhardt brands.

Once again, this used Gemeinhardt is outstanding in quality and sound. After purchasing it used, I took it to the local repair guy to be inspected/cleaned and he commented what an outstanding instrument this is.

Great brand!.

As a saxophone player, my embouchure was atrocious. I worked for two solid weeks with an older Selmer headjoint and could barely get any tone to speak. As soon as I tried a Gemeinhardt, I felt like I had a chance! The facing of the lip-plate and overall tone quality is far superior to other items in this price range, and makes for a more forgiving first few lessons.

Don’t let frustration take the passion out of musicianship- get a flute engineered for greatness!.

This is a fantastic Yamaha flute. Pro’s 1. It will last years and years 2. Easy to service 3. Good tone quite lovely if you can play well 4. Can be upgraded with higher end head joint 5. Easy to service as are most flutes on the intermediate market Con’s 1.

The price. It is over really priced. 2. Made in Indonesia good quality. Wish we can find a made in USA item. 3. Cost to make is probably around a 1/4 selling price. Best to try to find a pre owned flute.

4. Resell well. Perhaps 1/2 or more of your price paid if you buy new. Buy used, you will loose less 5. Warranty is full of holes Seriously folks, the warranty is so full of holes it is worthless. Even the cheap cheap Chinese flutes would not have an issue covered by the Yamaha warranty.

The “Body” warranty is a joke. When will a piece of metal suffer a mfg defect after it has left the factory, all on its own without you dropping it ? You will never have an issue that is covered under warranty so don’t let this scare you into paying full price.

Really like this flute however, for school band there are many others that are better priced / value for the money that your kid can learn on just as well that are easier on your pocket book and will resell and are just as easy to service.

The Azumi 3SRBO enables consistently beautiful tone and intonation with its sterling silver body and head joint, and the Altus-Bennett scale. Having owned multiple flutes and loved playing for 50+ years, I appreciate each note must be finessed to produce an optimal sound and greater finesse is required if playing a lower quality instrument.

Regardless of which brand/make of flute is played, learning how to play correctly and diligently practicing can’t be overemphasized, but the beauty of the Azumi AZ3 instrument is knowing if you aren’t producing beautiful sound, it’s definitely an operator error.

Bottom line, an excellent instrument.

I played on a Yamaha YFL-212 for six years and now having finished my Grade 8, felt the need to progress onto a more versatile and dynamic instrument. The Azumi AZ-Z3 was recommended to me; having played it for a week, the special Z-cut mouthpiece makes it easy to play high register notes, especially in fast passages.

I’m very excited to have this sterling silver flute take me through my diplomas and later study at conservatoire.

I’ve been playing flute for about 3 years now and been using this flute for 1 year. It wears out very quickly. The keys on the flute suck up a lot of moisture and makes the sound a bit sticky. I myself am allergic to Nickel Silver so DO NOT buy this flute if you are also allergic to nickel.

After using flute stickers to hopefully stop the rashing on my bottom lip, it didn’t help. The case also broke after 3 months, I got a new case afterwards. It does produce a good sound, but once in a while the keys stick and make a squeak (it’s embarrassing having a squeak while playing a low note).

I love the sound of the flute so this is a real love hate relationship with this flute. It’s easy to play but the complications still make it ehhhh.

My son was selected to attend a school of the arts starting his 6th grade year. He has never played any instrument before, but decided that he wanted to learn the flute. His major at this school is Band and all beginner students have to start out on a wind instrument.

The flute we purchased for my son, from Musicians friend, was perfect for our needs. His band teacher even told us that he was very satisfied with the quality of this product. And I am saisfied with the price of this product.

I would recommend this product to first time buyers who need a starter flute. It is definitely a great buy for the price.

I am a professional flute player and teacher with 28 years of playing experience. Please do not purchase this instrument for yourself or a young beginner. This instrument is very low quality and will not last.

The metal is cheap and the sound quality is horrible. Tuning this instrument is nearly impossible. Trying to learn to play this instrument will be very frustrating to a young player and will cause more repair bills than the cost of the instrument within the first six months if a music store will even attempt to repair it.

Please talk to a reputable music teacher or flute player before spending your hard-earned money on a piece of scrap metal.

I owned a Pearl 500 series for a few years and am thinking of getting another one. I agree with another commenter who said this is the best value for a student flute. I only got rid of mine because I discovered that I prefer a closed hole flute and a C foot joint – mine had open holes and a B foot joint.

Since piccolos, altos and bass flutes have closed holes, it just seems unnecessary. But I do like the offset G/split E, and Pearl flute truly have a great sound and scale. They are solidly built and easy to maintain.

My only criticism is they feel someone dainty to me, NOT flimsy, but very light and effortless. Some flute players prefer this, and it does facilitate quick fingering. However, a little more weight and resistance in the keys feels better to me.

But I am still leaning back toward Pearl because of the sound! Nothing else in this price range feels this exquisite and comes as close to a flute costing thousands more.

Bought this for my daughter after I got burned on a used flute that was worn out. Spent 3 weeks researching different brands and options after getting advice from her new professional flute player/instructor.

There was an immediate, noticeable improvement in her playing after only a few minutes on this flute. She didn’t miss notes or play a single note off key. First thing she noted was how much louder it is compared to her 2 other flutes and the school’s student flute.

The instructor just tried it out and was very impressed at the quality and the sound projection. He plays with an Altus at almost 3 times the cost of the Pearl and found the Pearl’s head joint is more responsive than his.

I love this flute! The instrument is beautiful, the tone quality is phenomenal. Even my band teacher was impressed! It comes in a nice case with a swab cloth, rod, and polishing cloth. The stoppers are already in (which is great.

my friend’s flute came without the stoppers in and she spent two hours putting them in!) When I play I can hear the difference between it and my old flute. If you need a new flute I HIGHLY recommend this one!.