looking for non CAS--flute

[Silvera-Durango]

I need a flute, you know like the one you used in band, funds limited........if you have one you have packed away and want to help a good cause, please advise, friends daughter starting band and their funds limited. I am going to help them with costs.

Thanks

S-D

[Auntie Bellum]

Hi

Being a family that has been involved with music for years I just wanted to pass some info on to you.

Be careful what you buy. There are a flood of bad instruments on the re-sale market right now. They are cheaply made things that were sold at Costco, Walmart and Sam's Club. They are non-repairable and so when the keys get bent etc. they usually are sold to help offset the costs of the new instrument.

Honestly, the best bet for anyone with a kid just starting off is to rent an instrument. Most music stores will do a rent to own. Our daughter has two flutes. Her first was an entry level "closed hole flute" that we purchased on a rent to own. It was brand new when she got it and it cost like $20 a month to rent. All of our rental went toward the balance of the purchase price and we got a discount if we purchased it outright within the first 6 months. She used the flute for about 3 years and then it was time to purchase a concert flute "open holed flute". We did the same with that flute as well. Now she uses the closed hole flute for football games, pep rallies, etc. and the concert flute is for performance only.

The thing is most kids will change their minds with what they want to play several times before they settle on to one instrument. If you purchase an instrument then you're stuck with it if they change their minds.

Both our kids didn't actually have an instrument purchased for them until they were 14/15. We rented until then and they both started playing when they were in 3rd grade.

DS is standing behind me and he says don't buy from ebay, don't buy colored, and if you're going to buy used have it inspected at the local music shop before you buy it. He repaired flutes at the local music shop and he says that most people that bought used ended up spending more than the cost of a new flute in repair bills.

Good Luck

Auntie Bellum

[Silvera-Durango]

Thanks for the info. My son, now 16, started off in the 4th grade in band and started with the trumpet. He has been in music now and is in the 11th grade. He plays drums at high school and in church and in garage band. He has thousands of dollars worth of drum equipment and hasn't played the trumpet in years. He has also picked up the guitar, keyboards and teaches drum lessons.


My friend that wants a flute for her daughter is looking to get her one for Christmas. She has been borrowing one for her to start with and she really likes it, so the purchase will be a thought out one.


Thanks again

SD

[Aspen Filly]

Hi,
I agree with Aunti Bellum....both my daughters attended the Denver School of the Arts. The oldest playing violin and my youngest with vocal and band playing the flute.
Renting is the way to go....we started out with the beginner flute and violin also and as they progressed all rentals transferred from one instrument to another as they grew with their talents and required better instruments. By the time we were done we had purchased a $2500.00 violin and a $1800 open hole flute.
(Both started lessons in the 3rd grade and played all the way through 12th)

They also usually offer an insurance plan you can carry on the instruments while your paying on them (you never know what can happen on the school bus or what gets LEFT BEHIND on a school bus! They unlocked the school bus yard one time for us to retrieve the open hole flute from the bus seat! WHEW-was my daughter really glad it was still there...cuz I had told her definitely what would happen to her if it wasn't:lool

[Sassy Teton Lady]

I have to agree with Aunti and Aspen on this. Rent to own from a reputable music shop in the area. If she is insistant on purchasing, look for a music teacher in the area and see if they know of anyone wanting to upgrade, then do as previously suggested, have it inspected by a repair person. I played flute and piccolo in high school, more years ago than I remember, and went on to play in a professional concert band with aspirations to play in an orchestra one day. Needless to say, the later never occured. I got married instead. But music was my life for a real long time. I even met my husband in high school band and yes we are still married (met over 40 years ago).
I still have my flute and piccolo even though I have been offered REAL GOOD money for them. They are all hand made, etc. But I had to earn them from my parents.

Too many start with an intrument and then loose interest in it or change their mind and switch instruments. My kids are prime examples, two started in band and then dropped it. I did buy them instruments and was lucky enough to be able to sell them.

I am excited because one of the young ladies down here (Pistol Packing Peanut) has taken up the flute and she is real good for the short period of time she has been playing. We are planning of doing some duets at Last Stand out behind my vending tent. So hopefully I won't chase too many customers off. I hope I remember how to play, sort of like riding a bicycle - I think.

Good luck and I hope you eventually find what you are looking for.
STL

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Silvera, Would they consider one that needs corked and repadded? Susie has a spare she picked up at her job and if they will have the repair done, she will ship it to you free gratis. Last check on corking and repadding was $80 here locally. Has a hard case and is labeled "Harmony", not sure as to the real manufacturer. Finish is pretty good, just a little tarnished from sitting. As I'm typing, she's wiping it down and it's cleaning up right nice. Definately needs corks and pads...................Buck:waiting

[Silvera-Durango]

BUCK,, sent you a PM !!!!!!!!!!THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!! (From us all)

[Four-Eyed Buck]

I'll PM you when it ships, probably Monday or Tuesday..............Buck:pony

[Silvera-Durango]

Thanks to all for your information


And BIG THANKS to Buck for all he help!!!!!

[Four-Eyed Buck]

According to UPS, it should deliver today, Silvera:beg

[Silvera-Durango]

Delivered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and thanks again. I am planning on dropping it off to the repair shop on Friday.

THANKS THANKS THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:tban:tban:tba n:ty

SD