I've wanted a flute for a while now. I have a recorder, so I don't know if I should invest in a flute. Don't they sound pretty much the same??? That may have been a stupid question, but I need help: Should I get a flute, or settle with the recorder?
They are COMPLETELY different. Unless you're going to get lessons, I wouldn't invest in a flute. Even a student model is $700+ (if you get a decent one) and it's kind of hard at first. Rather than blowing into a mouthpiece, you blow across which can be hard to get a sound out of. You really also have to dedicate time to it every single day to build up your air support. If you're not serious about the flute, don't buy one. Maybe you could rent one from the music store (they do it for students in middle school band programs all the time) for a month or two to see how you like it.
yes... i've played flute for 10 years... a flute kicks a recorders ass any day. you have to have a lotta wind for it, though... a flute uses as much air as a tuba, believe it or not! it isn't easy... but once you get it down... the sound of the flute is so beautiful and relaxing. i'm with silverclover, rent one and see if you like it. if you can't put it down, it will be worth the investment. may i suggest that if you spring for a new flute, get an open-holed model. they have better sound quality.
Thanks guys!! I'll see about getting a flute sometime in the future. Because I am rather serious about it.
Another possibility is to go the bamboo/wood route if you decide silver flute isn't your style; I have several bansuris (transverse 6-hole flutes from India) that I play regularly, and cost a fraction of a silver flute's price... Just a thought, I can certainly see the lure of the silver flute!
The lure of the silver flute is the purity of tone, something you don't really get on the wooden ones. The wooden ones are nice to have but aren't really a replacement for the silver ones. Flute does kick recorders ass anyday and you could get a jupiter for £300 roughly. What I did with mine is I rented it for a while and then paid for the whole thing after a few months. I would definately recommend you step up from recorder to flute, after all have you ever tryed to play No Dice on recorder. Blessings Sebbi