It's a new year and lots of students are starting band and orchestra for the first time. Everything new and shiny and so exciting!
Some families may rent an instrument or do rent-to-own, both of which are a great way to start if you're not sure this is going to be a long-term love.
If you are thinking about buying a flute for a beginner and want to make sure you're getting a good investment, here are a couple of points to keep in mind:
1. If buying used, make sure you have a qualified teacher or repair tech look over the instrument before you decide to buy. An instrument that seems like a good deal may be priced low because it needs repairs to the tune of (see what I did there?) a few hundred dollars.
2. If buying used, never ever ever buy a flute unseen and unplayed. A used flute that looks new and shiny might be completely bound up in the mechanism, making it unplayable. Music stores often have second-hand instruments that have been tuned up by their repair techs to play like a new instrument; it's worth asking at your local store if you're looking for a good quality flute at a reduced cost.
2. If buying new, ask for an unbiased opinion on reputable brands to look at. Some flutes may be more expensive up front but you'll save long-term on repairs because the parts and metals used hold up better over time. A good flute will also have better resale value down the road if your young flutist gets really serious and decides to upgrade.
If you're still unsure about the benefits of investing in a quality instrument, think about it this way: a student trying to play on a flute that doesn't work properly is much more likely to give up in the first few months of playing than one who isn't fighting the instrument, especially since the student doesn't usually know enough about playing to know it's a problem with the flute, not with their ability to accomplish what their teacher is asking them to do.
Not sure which brands to start with? Send us a message and we'll be happy to chat with you about which instruments might be the best fit for your needs.
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