Recommendations

Music for Beginners

  • Youth Beginners should purchase the Suzuki Flute School Vol. 1 & 2 Music CD and Abracadabra Flute by Malcolm Pollock and are encouraged to start with the Suzuki Method.
  • Band Class Beginners should purchase Abracadabra Flute by Malcolm Pollock and Flute 101: Mastering the Basics by Phyllis Avidan Louke and Patricia George ​

Music for Intermediate Flutists

  • The Flute Scale Book: A Path to Artistry by Phyllis Avidan Louke and Patricia George ​
  • Flute 102: Mastering the Basics by Phyllis Avidan Louke and Patricia George

Music for Advanced Flutists

Scales & Technical Studies:​
  • 17 Daily Exercises by Taffanel and Gaubert 
  • Sequences by G. Gilbert 
Etudes & Methods:
  • 24 Petites Etudes Melodiques [24 Little Melodic Studies] by M. Moyse
  • 24 Progressive Studies for the Flute, Op. 33 by Anderson; ed. DeLaney & Amsler (optional)
Solos/Collections:
  • Flute Music by French Composers (Various); collection ed. L. Moyse, published by G Schirmer 
  • Die Soloflote Band I Barok [The Solo Flute Vol. I: Baroque], Various Collection of Unaccompanied Baroque Flute Solos; Edition Peters, ed. Nastasi 
Music for Baroque Flutists

Instrument Recommendations:

  • Reputable flute dealers offer a one week trial period before you commit to the purchase. Avoid buying used instruments on eBay or from pawn shops, and be sure to schedule a quick consultation with me before committing to the instrument.
  • Recommended Dealers: Miles Ahead Music (with repair service in Louisville, KY with Miles Davis), Flutistry Boston (ships from Boston, MA), JL Smith & Co (ships from Charlotte, NC).

Modern Flutes

Price Range $500-$1900:
  • For children under the age of 8, buy or rent a curved headjoint flute.  Good brands include Di Zhao, Jupiter and Yamaha (Yamaha headjoints are available for separate purchase if you already own a flute).
  • For flutists over the age 8, try flutes with a standard headjoint by Di Zhao, Amadeus, Azumi, Pearl, and Yamaha.

Price Range $2000-and up:
  • Great brands include Altus, Brannen, Burkart, Emanuel, Haynes, Nagahara, Powell
  • Generally speaking the best flutes on the market in the higher price ranges have been made since 2000.  Every year top flutemakers develop brilliant-sounding instruments with excellent intonation and the flutes keep getting better and better.
  • If upgrading to a top-of-the-line instrument isn't possible today, consider upgrading your flute headjoint.  One of the simplest ways to approach making that upgrade is to attend the National Flute Convention, a Regional Flute Convention, or a Flute Specialty Store (one that only sells flutes and piccolos) and try many brands at one time. Good Luck!

Piccolos

Price Range $2000-$2700:Price Range $3000-$7000:
  • Burkart 
  • Hammig
  • Generally speaking, piccolos that cost less than $2000 often have significant intonation problems or cracks.  The brands listed here are made of grenadilla wood and are perfect for the concert hall.  If you're looking for a piccolo to play outdoors in marching band, it's a great idea use your school's instrument if one is available or buy an inexpensive plastic or grenaditte model.

Baroque Flutes