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About Victoria
Expertise
I can answer any questions you may have about flutes and playing the flute. And can help with any theory questions up to grade 8 standard. I CANNOT AND WILL NOT give value estimations nor tell you what age your instrument is without seeing it so please don't ask.

Experience
Been playing for around 15 years and am a respected teacher of Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Oboe, Saxophone and Recorder. Member university symphony and chamber orchestras, Grampian Concert orchestra and Inverurie Chamber orchestra. Performed as a soloist in Germany, France, Prague and the UK.

Organizations
Incorporated society of Musicians,British Flute society, Flutewise

Education/Credentials
Grade 8, DipLCM(Performance), DipMusT, ALCM(TD), LLCM(P).

You are here: Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Musical Instruments > Flute > more advanced flute?

Flute - more advanced flute?

Expert: Victoria - 1/16/2008

Question
Hi Victoria :)

I've been playing the flute (A Trevor James 10x model) for about 9 years now. I don't play in any bands or anything anymore, just for my enjoyment but that doesn't mean I don't take my playing seriously, I just don't have the time to play in bands at the moment! I hope one day when I have the time that I will sit my Grade 8 exam and so I’m looking for a flute that will take me there.
While I love my TJ flute, its just not up to scratch with how I want it to perform anymore. I love the shape of the TJ flute, where as other makes such as Yamaha I find don't suit my style of playing. I think I would prefer a solid silver flute with open holes in order to produce the best tone but I’m not sure what flute to go for. Would I be best sticking with a TJ flute or look at other makes? What would you recommend?
Also do you know of any good flute shops in Scotland or more specifically Edinburgh?

Thanks for you time :)

Answer
Hi Kirsten.
My first flute was a trevor james 10x and I loved it to bits and was sure that when I upgraded I would go for another trevor james but I found a good yamaha that I got on well with!
As for flutes to try out, makes such as Altus, Miyazawa, Muramatsu, Powel will all last a long time and tend to hold their value better than other makes as they have an excellent reputation for making very good instruments. You dont necessarily need more silver, a solid headjoint will be plenty even for up to grade 8 and beyond - believe me, I sat my Diploma on a flute with only a solid head.
Having said that, for the price of one of the above makes with just a solid head, you could get another TJ flute in all silver for around the same price I think. The quality may not be equal to that of the Japanese makers, but they are still good instruments. I know a lot of people who turn their nose up at trevor james flutes, not sure why, there is nothing wrong with them and are just as good as Yamaha or Pearl.
There is a good woodwind shop in Edinburgh called 'The Wind Section' almost next door to the famous string shop, 'Stringers of Edinburgh'. I think its on York Street, quite close to Harvey Nichols.
However, I suggest you go a little further south and look into shops such as 'Topwind' or 'Allflutesplus' in London and take advantage of the 'Take it Away' scheme which would enable you to take out a completely interest free loan of up to £2000 which you pay back in 10 equal installments over the follwing months. Even if you try out a selection of Flutes in edinburgh, then phone one of the shops in England to buy it. At the moment, the scheme only runs in England. Bit of a pain, I live in Aberdeen and had to go all the way down to London to try out headjoints, but I'm glad I did. Hopefully the scheme will extend to scotland too!
Here are a few models and makes for you to ponder over and research, but they really depend on your budget.
Altus:
807, 907, 1007.
Azumi:
(by Altus)
2000, 3000. (I was impressed with these flutes)
Miyazawa:
102, 202, 402.
Muramatsu:
EX, GX(these flutes seem to be a bit to expensive compared to other makes)
Pearl:
665, 765, Dolce, Elegante.
Powel:
Sonare 300 or 500
Signature
Sankyo:
Etude
Silversonic
Trevor James:
Cantabile, Virtuoso, Masters 1 and 2
Yamaha:
300 series, 500 or 600 series. The 400 series isnt really worth it, the craftsmanship is the same as that of a student flute, just made with solid silver.

Some of them come with a hefty price tag so check out the 2nd hand lists on the topwind.com, allflutesplus.com and justflutes.com .

Good luck!!

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