| Buying a flute, advice from The Balanced Scale | | | | back of the pad. |
| Step Up / Intermediate Flute | | | | The pointed or French arms connect to the key |
| Your biggest consideration in the purchase of a new | | | | mechanism at the center of the key cup, focusing the |
| used flute is your budget. One might expect to spend | | | | finger pressure directly on the center of the pad. Other |
| between $1500.00 and $5000.00 for a step up / | | | | key features may include split E mechanism, inline |
| intermediate flute. While there are some cost savings | | | | offset G, and “Gizmo” key for low B. |
| associated with buying a used flute, there is also a | | | | The key on the left is pointed (french),abd the key on |
| certain amount of risk involved. A used flute will most | | | | the right is a Y key; notice where they connect to the |
| likely need to be adjusted and balanced for your | | | | cup. |
| personal touch. | | | | Key regulation |
| Some brand names to look for | | | | Regulation of the key mechanism on entry/student |
| Generally brand name instruments are your best | | | | intermediate model flutes is accomplished through the |
| choice: Altus 1007, Yamaha 500, Pearl Quantz, Sankyo, | | | | use of adjustment screws. Some screws are visible |
| Muramatsu EX, GX and AD, Powell Signature, and | | | | from the front view and others are set behind the |
| Miyazawa 401 to name a few. | | | | keys. |
| Features of a Step Up/Intermediate Flute: | | | | Some stepup/intermediate flutes have Plateau (closed) |
| Body tube | | | | style keys, however, the French (open) keys are used |
| The body tube may be made of brass with silver | | | | by the majority of professional players because they |
| plating, nickel silver or varying grades of silver. You also | | | | force proper technique and the open holes make it |
| have the option of choosing the “wall” thickness | | | | easier to produce tonal nuances. |
| of the body tube. The different materials and | | | | Case |
| construction provide different tonal characteristics. | | | | Finally, a sturdy case that fits the contour of the flute is |
| | | | essential to ensure that your new companion remains |
| Toneholes | | | | safe and snug. Always store your swab and wiping |
| Toneholes may be "drawn" and "rolled" from the body | | | | cloth in an external “case cover”. This will ensure |
| tube, or they can be soldered on. There is much | | | | extra lint and moisture will not accumulate in and on |
| debate as to the difference in sound between the two. | | | | your flute. Case covers are often padded for that |
| | | | “extra” level of security just in “case”. |
| Keys | | | | I hope this was helpfull, if you have any questions, |
| “Y” keys and pointed, or French keys, are | | | | comments, queries or would like to suggest something |
| available as options on some step up flutes. “Y” | | | | please contribute below. |
| keys connect to the key mechanism or arm at the | | | | Do you have any questions... |
| rear of the key cup, focusing finger pressure on the | | | | |