Here are some guidelines for finding an instrument for your child.
- Select an instrument (purchased or rented) with someone who can play test the instrument to make certain that all notes play easily. The child does not require an expensive instrument, but he or she needs a flute that functions adequately. And you need to play the flute to make this determination: There is no abbreviated visual or tactile test for this. Unlike pianos or strings, most beginners take anywhere from a week to a month to generate any sound out of a flute. After this point the flutist learns unique combinations of keys to press to play different notes. And the flute plays a lot of notes. Therefore an instrument may be significantly unplayable but it could take several months to notice this.
- Get an instrument that is a reputable brand from a known company. If you buy an extremely inexpensive, knock-off brand of flute it may not play or it may not be possible to make it playable.
- Flutes are mechanical devices and therefore require maintenance. They also wear out and require overhauls. And eventually all flutes go into retirement. Buying a used flute could save you money in the short term, but it may also cost you money to bring it into playing condition. How much it costs to bring it into playing condition depends on the age of the instrument, how much it was played, and how well it was made to begin with. In sum, it might not cost much or it might cost more than you paid for the instrument to bring it into playing condition.
- Beginners will not play extremely complicated music that will require great mechanical precision in a flute. Therefore, you should not feel obligated to acquire anything beyond a decent beginner instrument for a child. Upgrade to better instruments as your child grows beyond the abilities of his or her current instrument.
- Children can learn a lot about responsibility by cleaning and caring for a flute.
- Children tend to drop and lose things. That is part of the learning process.
- Student flute cases on newer flutes are amazingly flimsy. It will not take much of a blow on it to potentially damage the instrument. Teach your child not to bang around the flute while in its case. Or get a better case. Or get a cushioned case cover for the instrument.
- It’s discouraging to practice on an instrument that is out of adjustment and can’t play properly.
- I have never known a child to want to play an instrument because it cost a lot of money.
- I have known parents who are not happy that their children quit playing after the purchase of new instruments. While it is good to own a well functioning instrument, it’s also prudent to have realistic expectations about how eagerly and diligently your child will play it.
- Child psychologists and behavioralists may say otherwise, but in the flute world “13” and “14” are magic numbers. Those are the ages when many young people for a multitude of reasons either take to the flute or find other interests away from the flute.
- Delayed gratification builds greater appreciation when the desired object is finally acquired.