Whether you are starting your musical journey or if you’re a professional musician. It pays off to know the best brands so that you can get the best quality out of your instruments.
As a beginner, you may want to avoid the professional brands, as you work to find your feet. But as a professional musician, you could easily expect to spend a couple of thousand dollars to get the best instrument you can.
When investing in a woodwind instrument, like a flute you want to make sure that it is of great quality, get the best you can to achieve the best sound, and make music a walk in the park.
In every industry, there are brands to praise, brands to avoid, and brands to only really pay attention to when you can afford the high-end prices and have reached pro-standing.
We’ve done a lot of research, and hard work so that you can get in tune with the best flute brands.
In a Hurry?
Are you in a hurry? Signed up to get lessons and don’t have your flute yet? Or your old one broke and you need a new one pronto?
There are many reasons you might be in a hurry to get your next flute, but whatever the reason, we have got you covered.
No need to search high and low over the internet to find information on the brand that will have the perfect flute for you. We have that right here, so you can stop scrolling, get all the information you need, and make a start on making new, magical music.
Our first choice and what we think is the best for you is Yamaha. Yamaha are a brand name known worldwide for both motorcycles and musical instruments and equipment.
Though you may be cautious about buying a flute from a company that also makes fast motorbikes, their musical equipment, including their flutes are actually of exquisite creation.
Having always ranked at one of the top makes of flute worldwide, they create flutes for beginners, intermediates, and professionals and they vary their capabilities for each skill-set so that no beginner feels overwhelmed by their instrument when they play, and so that no professional feels underequipped.
- Student flutes have a lip plate to help beginners learn breathing techniques.
- Produce rich tunes.
- Keys placed for optimal balance and playability in all skill levels.
OUR TOP PICK
Yamaha is a Japanese corporation that was formerly known as ‘Nippon Gakki Co’. They specialize in a few things such as motorcycles, instruments, and musical equipment technology.
But aside from the wider array of products they create, their musical instruments have a resounding reputation for quality, durability, and excellent sound production.
They started off in the musical instrument industry by manufacturing reed organs nearly 150 years ago. Not long after, in 1960, the Yamaha Corporation of America was founded and the business grew even more so.
Yamaha’s flutes have always ranked well in quality and affordability. They offer rich tones and a wide range. But one of the admirable things that Yamaha has to offer is excellent quality student flutes.
These include a lip plate, that is designed to help beginner flutists learn proper breathing techniques, as well as having the keys placed carefully for optimum balance and playability.
They sell flutes for a whole range of skill sets, not just making quality flutes for the beginner but also for intermediate players and professionals.
Their standard models are classed as the 200, 300, and 400 series. Developing their handmade models, when making these standard series flutes, they incorporate all their professional standards into these models whilst tailoring them to the needs and level of students to make learning easy and helping to build upon skills.
Rather than using a cheap flute with dull tunes that could hold you back or using a professional flute that could throw you in the deep end.
Pros
- Experienced company.
- Quality Manufacturers.
- Reliable and infamous brand.
- Rich tunes.
Cons
- More expensive for beginners than some other options.
EDITORS CHOICE
Our next choice was founded in Taiwan, fifty years after Yamaha was founded. 20 years after their founding they began manufacturing instruments and then opened an office in Austin, Texas in 1990.
This is the brand, Jupiter, who carry the slogan ‘A world of quality goes into each musical instrument’.
Jupiter is a brand that specializes in musical instruments, they produce and sell, woodwind, brass, and marching instruments including, flutes, clarinets, trumpets, tubas, french horns and sousaphones, and much more.
Their flutes produce a warm and full sound as well as an easy intonation that will help learners produce accurate, clean, and in-tune music. They produce sound from air flowing across one of their many openings.
Priding themselves on being of the US markets leading manufacturers in student flutes.
Jupiter is also a very popular brand with music teachers as they are one o the most reliable brands for student flutes. Though they are praised as student flutes, they do require much care and maintenance to extend their life expectancy.
Though this may be the case they have vastly excelled in quality over the last twenty years and are fast growing as one of the top names of musical instruments.
Pros
- Popular with music teachers.
- Best for learning to play.
- Provide a full sound.
- Specialize in band instruments.
Cons
- Most suited for students, not suggested for professionals.
BEST VALUE
Next, we look at another Japanese brand, one whose name makes the idea of playing the flute sound as elegant as it is.
Pearl was founded in 1940’s Japan and is known for primarily manufacturing percussion instruments. They created their line of flutes and opened up a US office in Tenessee not long after their founding.
They are one of the most renowned flute manufacturers in the world, producing a range of models for all skill sets, including the models they produce for students.
Their student model is meant specifically for young flutists who may struggle to hold a full sized flute.
They even installed curved head joints and reduced the distance between the keys, done so to make it easier, so younger students won’t have to stretch their arms to reach the required keys as they play.
While many manufacturers of musical instruments and flutes will pride themselves on constructive innovation Pearl proves it.
They do so in many ways, but one of these is the research they carry out to better serve their musician buyers. They have previously carried out a great deal of research to improve the head-joints and key design and therefore eventually managed to innovate a pinless mechanism.
In a way, you could say that Peal is a company that is not afraid of constructive criticism and even seeks it out to better themselves above and beyond for their buyers.
They have also manufactured easiness in their flutes for beginner players, with a split-E feature, which is something that you are unlikely to find in other brands, even in Yamaha.
Pros
- Assistance for beginners incorporated in the design.
- High Quality products.
- Great for young players finding their feet.
- Highly regarded crafter
Cons
- Lack of accessories and accessibility to them.
RUNNER UP
Next, we have a company whose founding story could easily be the inspiration for a film plot and gives it high regard in its legitimacy as a foundation for a high standard brand.
Armstrong was founded in 1913 by William Teasdale Armstrong, who was an instrument repairman. The company and the founder himself, are known for the production of flutes and piccolos.
Armstrong offers a range of models for students and professionals alike. Their student models offer a crisp sound and provide easy playing, done so through the offset G-key, which carefully follows the natural shape of human hands.
These flutes are regarded as an ideal flute for beginners, especially for the youngest of beginners, due to their hardy durability, able to withstand accidents. This can be very useful for a child who is learning to play, or if you are just a bit clumsy.
If you are prone to dropping things or fear you will damage your flutes, then Armstong is an ideal brand for you as it’s probably best described as the tank brand of the flute world.
Buyers often recommend then Armstrong is most appropriate as a beginner or young beginner brand, as their stiff heads may make it more difficult for experienced or intermediate players to refine their tune.
It is possible to outgrow the Armstrong brand as a flute player, and usually more so than other brands as you grow and develop your tune.
But that is not to say that Armstrong doesn’t have much to offer for the younger flutists starting up their musical career without any worries of breaks or accidents.
Pros
- Very durable.
- Specialize in woodwind instruments.
- Off-set G-key offers a natural hand shape.
- Perfect for young beginners.
Cons
- Tend to have headjoints that are stiff to blow.
RUNNER UP
Finally, we finish with a brand that has been sitting in the background climbing up behind Yamaha and the rest for years. And we love them!
Gemeinhardt was funded by the flute maker Kurt Gemeinhardt during the late 1940s and are known as a manufacturer of flutes and piccolos.
They offer excellent sound for one of the lowest prices which is a great option for parents who have children that are starting their career in music, but who don’t want to rupture their bank accounts in case their child changes their mind.
Not only this but they offer an even steady and reliable tone and sound. The flutes also require minimal maintenance and upkeep which is perfect for students, beginners, and those who may be uncertain about their musical choices.
They are the largest manufacturer of flutes in the world, though companies like Yamaha are massive in the music scene, Gemeinhardt only produce these specific instruments and they are revered for it as their specialty. They offer a variety of flutes; student, alto, bass, and professional.
Buying a Gemeinhardt flute provides you with amazing quality and makes amazing student and professional flutes with a nice tone.
Their durable silver plating also makes them longer lasting. Their adjustment is also well-positioned so it is physically less strenuous to play.
They also make shopping for accessories easier as the company is situated in the USA you will have plenty of access to cheap and acquirable accessories in comparison to overseas competing brands.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Easy access to accessories.
- Biggest flute manufacturer worldwide.
- Even and steady sound.
Cons
- Airier sound than other brands.
Best Flute Brands Buying Guide
Price
When you invest in a flute price is very important, if you are a professional looking for something to replace an old flute that is not what it used to be, price is less likely to bother you.
But if you are new to music and the flute, or if you are experienced but not quite a professional yet, you may care more about the costs.
If you are a beginner, your best bet is to lean to a brand like Gemeinhardt, which has affordable beginner flutes, considering the price at this stage will make you feel less pressure as you learn to find your feet and discover if the flute if the instrument for you.
Do remember as you advance that price will become less of a concern and you can lean towards the more expensive brands that offer you more musical growth. But it would be ill-advised to buy something expensive and high-tech on your first purchase.
Specialty
Specialty comes drawn into priority when you are looking for something specific. If you are a beginner looking for someone who specializes in beginner flutes and knows just what you are seeking in a flute.
Or parents with a young child who wants to play, and you need a flute that will be able to withstand the young frustrations of learning or a professional who wants something above and beyond.
Consider your musical needs, a professional doesn’t need to seek out a brand that has its biggest successes in beginner flutes, nor does a beginner need to seek out a brand that makes its mark with professionals.
Though all brands will specialize in flutes and musical instruments, each will have its most praised specialty, such as ‘Jupiter’s praise in student flutes.
In the case of Jupiter, a professional would probably not lean to them, but a student might. The professional would have more success in finding what they seek with Yamaha. Focus on how your needs and the companies specialty match.
What they offer:
Curved Head
A curved head is useful for smaller players as it prevents the length of the flute from causing problems or a need to stretch beyond comfort.
The head curves back on itself, much like an umbrella handle or a hook, which brings the flute and its keys closer to the player, enhancing playing comfort.
If the player is a child or is small then this is a very useful option that will enhance musical capabilities and make playing the flute much more enjoyable than otherwise.
Split-E
A split-E is an automatic mechanism that holds down the lower G-key when fingering above the third octave. It improves the venting for this note making things easier for the player, though this feature is mostly recommended to be a standard for beginners flutes.
For advanced or professional flutists this may be ill-advised, it is important to recognize that a G-A trill in the third octave has the potential to become award, an E mechanism that is ‘in-line’ can cause problems on an open holed flute unless it has pinless mechanisms.
However, on a normal off-set G flute, there are no issues that could arise with an E Mechanism like such.
Hence, when considering your flute, consider whether or not you require a split-E mechanism, as stated this is a feature best considered for beginners and so for beginners, it may be advisable to consider brands that carry many flutes with a split-E, to enhance your ease as you learn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most Expensive Flute in the world?
The most expensive flute in the word is the Verne Q.Powell flute, which is a .010” platinum model with sterling silver keys, an in-line G key, and a B foot with a french open hole key.
It was made for the New York fair and displayed behind glass, as the fair it was purchased by the renowned flutist William Kincaid and in 1986 it was sold for $187,000.
What is the best flute for beginners?
There are many flutes best for beginners but we recommend the Gemeinhardt 2sp flute, which helps to teach were to hold hands on the flute. Also due to learning the keys do not have holes to help the student learn where to place their fingers.
It also has an off-set G which is set forward from the other keys to make it easier to reach, as the left arm will have to stretch across the body to position onto the flute. This helps the student grow accustomed to positioning over the course of their learning.
