It’s August, which means school is right around the corner. Even if you’re out of school, it can be a good time to test out new things or switch up your routine. In either case, you need to start using the best flute bag.
The best flute bag for you will have the space and compartments you need. You can organize your instruments and accessories. And hopefully, you can be stylish, too…if you want.
But what is the best flute bag? How do you find it? Oh, wait, what even is a flute bag?
Flute Bag Basics
Many instrument cases have space for cleaning materials, other accessories, and even sheet music. However, that’s not true for flute or piccolo cases.
Even beginner model cases don’t have much space for necessary cleaning rods and cloths. And when you upgrade to an intermediate or professional model?
Those flute and piccolos use “French-style” cases that only have space for the instrument.
And that’s a problem. Because as flutists, we have a lot of accessories to carry around!
So, what’s a flutist to do? That’s where the best flute bag comes in.
What is a flute bag?
A flute bag is any bag you use to store your flute and any relevant accessories, from cleaning cloths to sheet music.
It can be a bag designed specifically to hold your flute. Or it can be a typical backpack that just happens to fit your flute.
Even more, you can find backpack style bags that are designed to hold your flute and accessories.
While that variety can be overwhelming, it also means it will be easier to find the best flute bag for you!
What are the benefits of a flute bag?
There are many benefits to using a flute bag. First, you have a bit more space to store things like cleaning cloths and rods.
Second, the best flute bag also takes weather into account. Many great flute bags are insulated, so you don’t have to worry about carrying your bag in the rain or extreme weather.
Next, a flute-specific bag keeps everything contained. If you have a bag just for your flute stuff, you don’t have to worry about stuff getting mixed up or lost. Using a backpack can be great, but you’ll need to find places to store what doesn’t fit in your flute case or case cover.
What are the pitfalls?
While I’m a bag lady, and that totally extends to flutes, I have to admit that flute bags aren’t perfect.
First, flute bags that just fit your flute and a few accessories are hardly ever big enough for sheet music. But the bags that can fit your sheet music might be too big for your flute!
Also, some flute bags can be expensive, like over $100 expensive. However, the investment can be worth it, especially if you have a more expensive instrument.
Finally, even the best flute bag isn’t their-proof. In fact, it could be the opposite. If a thief sees an expensive bag and thinks it might contain an expensive flute, you better keep your hands and eyes on that bag.
Why should you get a specific flute bag?
The best flute bag will allow you to organize your instruments and accessories so that you can find everything easily.
It should be able to fit a few things, like cleaning supplies, a portable flute stand, and earplugs for us piccolo players. You should also throw in a pencil, pad cleaning/drying paper, and your keys.
That’s right. You can use the best flute bag as a purse, too!
Choosing the Best Flute Bag
There are TONS of flute bags available. Even flute bag companies offer a variety of choices.
That can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing, because you will probably find the best flute bag for you. However, it’s a curse since it means there will be more bags to choose from.
There’s no single way to choose the best flute bag. But there are a few things to consider when deciding on the best flute bag for you.
Here are the things I considered when choosing my beloved flute bag.
Convenience
One of the most important things in any bag is how convenient it is. I’m someone who likes to put a lot of stuff in my bags.
So those tiny clutch purses? Yeah, they’re not for me. And the same is true with tiny flute bags!
Since I play flute and piccolo, I wanted a bag that would fit both instruments. On the other hand, I didn’t want the bag to be too big if I only needed one instrument or the other.
I also wanted my bag to fit my portable flute and piccolo stands as well as my earplugs. And space for my cleaning rod and cloths was also a necessity.
Price
Some flute bags can be ridiculously expensive. However, cheap bags can also be a waste of money.
While I was lucky enough to receive my dream bag as a Christmas present, I still considered the price. Too expensive, and it would be a pipe dream.
But a cheaper bag probably wouldn’t last that long.
So, I settled for a bag that appeared to be in the middle of the flute bag price range.
Style/color
This may or may not matter to you, but style and/or color could play a role in choosing the best flute bag. Do you want to keep your bag on stage during a performance?
Then you need a black flute bag.
Or maybe you want to add a pop of color to your life, in which case you should choose a colorful bag.
And if you’re like me, you want something neutral that will go with everything.
But there’s more to style than the color. You should also consider the bag’s design.
Where are the handles or straps? Can you adjust them? Are there different pockets to organize smaller items?
The Best Flute Bag
The best flute bag for you will depend on your needs and preferences. However, in my years as a flute player, I’ve come across a ton of excellent options.
While your needs may vary, these flute bags are some of the best you’ll find. What’s more, is that these bags come in a variety of colors and styles so you can find one you love.
Fluterscooter
I couldn’t share my picks for the best flute bag and NOT include Fluterscooter. Unless you hardly use the internet, you’ve probably heard of them as they’re all over social media.
Fluterscooter bags come in tons of colors, from black to blue to silver. They even have limited edition bags every so often.
Some Fluterscooter bags fit your flute and piccolo. However, there’s also a messenger bag and a flute backpack.
Most Fluterscooter bags use real or vegan leather, they’re waterproof, and they look good. I get compliments on my Fluterscooter bag all of the time.
You can even share the love with your clarinet and oboe friends since Fluterscooter has bags for them, too!
Altieri
Another popular option in the world of flute bags is Altieri. I recently got an Alto Flute, Flute, and Piccolo Combo Traveler.
The bag can fit all three of my flutes. Plus, it has room for sheet music, a flute stand, and other accessories. It can even fit a smaller collapsible music stand.
The standard color for Altieri bags is black. But you can also choose from a ton of colors and patterns to make your bag stand out. I got a burgundy bag since that’s one of my favorite colors.
And that’s the thing with Altieri and Fluterscooter. Both are so popular that you need to have something to differentiate your bag.
Protec
Before I got either my Fluterscooter or Altieri bags, I used a Protect Flute Case Cover. It can fit your flute and piccolo, so you can keep the instruments together, which is great if you tend to double a lot.
I love how durable the bag is, so you can use it for a long time. It held up well for me throughout almost all four years of college and a few months after graduation. Plus, if I need to switch back to using the bag, I know I can.
Another great thing about the bag is that it’s more affordable. So if you’re on a budget but want a good flute bag, give it a try. Then, you won’t have to worry about going broke just to protect your flute.
Your current flute bag
If you love your current setup, why change? Whether you use your flute’s case cover or a backpack, both are good options for storing and transporting your flute.
Some case covers have a surprising amount of space in their outside pockets and in the area around your flute case.
And if you have a lot of textbooks to carry around, then why not put your flute in your backpack, too?
Oh, and your current bag is free. So if you’re on a budget, then your current bag is probably the best flute bag. You can always save up or put a new one on your birthday or holiday wish list.
So…
The right flute bag is essential when going to rehearsals. Be sure to consider a few options as you shop.
And if you’re looking for new sheet music to store in your flute bag, Flute Files has what you need!