Are you ready for a new flute? Do you know what the best flute brands and models are at that level?
Knowing which flutes to try can help you keep from wasting your time. And you can find a good instrument to last you for years.
Before we get into the brands, this post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Best Flute Brands for Beginners
When you first start playing the flute, you need the best possible instrument you can get. That way, you’ll have a better chance of getting a good sound on the flute.
Sure, you could buy the first flute your find. You could buy the cheapest flute you find. But the best flute brands will work much better than some.
Yamaha
A lot of flute students start on a model like the Yamaha YFL-222, and it’s a great beginner option. It’s not the cheapest student flute, but it’s of amazing quality, and you can use it for a long time.
Yamaha flutes are some of the best on the market at all levels. The YFL-222 has all of the standard specs of a beginner flute, including closed hole keys, a C footjoint, and a silver-plated headjoint and body.
If you want to invest a bit more into your first instrument, you can’t go wrong with a Yamaha. They also make great backup flutes, even if you’re a more advanced player.
Pearl
Another amazing beginner flute is the Pearl 505. It’s a bit more expensive than some beginner flutes, but it’s almost a combination of a beginner and an early intermediate model.
You get open holes and a B footjoint, so you won’t have to upgrade for a while, if at all. The flute also features the One-Piece Core Bar that Pearl uses on all of its flutes.
If you know you want to take the flute seriously, this is a great option. You may spend more now, but it can help you save time to make a bigger upgrade. That way, you’ll be able to get the best instrument for you later on.
Trevor James
Now for my personal beginner flute: Trevor James 10x. The company is another one of the best flute brands for beginners. This flute comes in a nice case with a zipper, and the sections of the case keep your flute secure.
You can get an amazing sound on a Trevor James 10x. It’s a great instrument for students and anyone else on a budget. Whether you want to pursue music professionally or not, you can get a lot out of this flute.
And when you’re ready to upgrade, keep your Trevor James flute on hand. That way, you’ll have a good instrument to play when you need to send your other flute out for maintenance.
Gemeinhardt
Gemeinhardt flutes are also common among other beginner flute brands. If you play in a band, you’ll probably come across at least one person with a Gemeinhardt flute, and there’s a good reason for that.
These flutes, like the Gemeinhardt 2SP, are affordable and good quality. You can get a good sound on the instrument, and it will be durable. That way, you shouldn’t have to take the flute into the shop all of the time.
If you want a good flute but can’t afford some of the other options, this one might be worth considering. Then, you don’t have to shell out more money just to start playing the flute.
Best Flute Brands for Intermediate Players
Another group of the best flute brands to know is the brands for intermediate musicians. If you’re ready to upgrade from a student flute, you may be able to stay with the same brand.
However, some of the best flute brands at this level are different. So think about the following brands as you shop for a new flute.
Azumi
Azumi is a sub-brand of Altus, which is an amazing intermediate flute. The line of Azumi flutes all have Altus headjoints, so you can get a fantastic sound. And you can choose from a few models:
The models have some solid silver (either in the lip plate, the headjoint, or the body), depending on the model. Because of that, they are a bit more expensive than some beginner flutes.
If you’re looking to get a new flute, Azumi is great. While I’ve never had an Azumi flute, I have met people who have them and love them. They’re worth at least testing.
Lyric
When I upgraded from my beginner flute, I got a Lyric LA-1E. Lyric is one of the less-common intermediate brands, but it’s one of the best. The brand is a partner brand of Miyazawa flutes.
These flutes have many great specs, including open holes and B footjoints. Plus, Lyric flutes have a lot of handmade components. They’re also not that much more expensive than other intermediate flutes.
If you want a great quality upgrade, at least consider Lyric. Because they’re less common, it can be hard to find one to try. However, it’s worth looking for, even if you don’t buy it.
Amadeus
Amadeus is another intermediate sub-brand of a popular professional brand. This time, the flutes come from Haynes. Like other flute brands in this category, you can choose from a few models:
You can choose the right model based on the amount of silver you have, and the specs are similar to the Azumi flutes. If you don’t have as much money, you can get an AF580.
But if you want more silver content, you may want to save up for the AF780. That way, you can get the sound and feel you want. And you’ll be able to grow as a flute player.
Di Zhao
Another one of the best flute brands at this level is Di Zhao. You can get a model like the Di Zhao 700, which has quite a bit of silver. But it’s not as expensive as some of the professional models.
While I didn’t mention it, Di Zhao flutes are also great for beginners. So if you now play on a 200 or 300, you can upgrade to the 700. Then, you don’t have to worry as much about if the flute will work for you.
And if you play on the 700 and want to upgrade, Di Zhao also sells professional models. You may find that you love these flutes at all levels.
Best Flute Brands for Professionals
At the professional level, I can’t just list some of the best flute brands. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of brands out there. And at this level, the instruments are handmade and so can have small differences.
I could recommend my favorite professional flute. But that doesn’t mean you’ll like that model or brand. You may like the same flute, but you may find that you can’t get the sound you want.
If you’re ready to get a professional flute, try as many of them as you can. Look at some reputable brands, such as the ones that make intermediate or beginner models. Then, you’ll be able to find the instrument that works for you.
What Are the Best Flute Brands for You?
The best flute brands can depend on the player. But they all create quality instruments, and they will last you for a while. That way, you don’t have to waste your time or money on a cheap flute.
Do you want to learn about the best piccolo or alto flute brands? Leave a comment below, and I might write a separate post on it!