|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
So I'm checking out flutes. We've been to flute world in Michigan (um ok, but not what I thought.)
I've a budget which in Canuck bucks and Yankee currency is about the same $800 to $1300.
I've one I'm leaning towards, it's a Yamaha, sorry don't remember the model but it's 900 with taxes in.
I can pick one up in Toronto at Long and McQuade on our way up north on Wednesday, they have some different makes, and I have spent some bucks there and get treated well.
Now, she wants a C foot. Or a B foot. I know at one point we were going to get an Alto flute, but she does not want to learn a new instrument and she spent 20 minutes trying to get a sound from one in MI that was worth about 2400 bucks, to no avail.
We have an Alto recorder.
Open hole? We do at least 50 percent Celtic stuff anyway.
Can you punch out the keys. Most of them look like they were made for open or closed or is it just so your fingers fit in a depression?
We have 3 Artley flutes, 2 low end student models and one better one, but none of them are really anything but a learner's flute.
Thanks in advance!
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564 |
One word answer now: Sonare.
I'll write more later!
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
I was looking at that on a Toronto Web site, for a store I frequent. None is stock it seems.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564 |
There's a reason for that. It's a GREAT flute and superb value. It comes with a Powell head joint (my regular flute is a Powell).
To flesh this out a bit, I started on two Gemeinhardts. The 3S is a nice instrument in your price range. Then I tried a Yamaha intermediate flute but could not play it because the key layout was quite different than what I had learned (mostly in the thumb but also the foot). I kept hitting Bb for B natural (your wife will know). This would not be a problem for a beginner who could learn the layout, but I still think it's a bit 'off' that admittedly loose standard. The Sonare was the ticket (great sound, and a match with the fingering position I knew), and I played that for several years before moving up to the Powell. I kept the Sonare for emergencies.
This must be a holiday gift? I would seriously hold out for a Sonare if you can find one.
Keep in mind, I've played flute for 40 years but only as a double. I like seeing the shocked looks when people look up and say, "the TRUMPET player took that flute solo?".
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564 |
I re-read your first post. About the foot, a B foot is harder for a beginner to play and unless you are doing flute solo literature, it's rare you would need it. But I would not reject a flute that had it, and you can grow longer on one.
Open hole gives perhaps a better tone. Can you punch out the keys? No. But, I go the other way. Not being a full-time classically trained flautist, I use corks in two of the open holes where my fingers don't quite cover the keys correctly (and that's essential, on an open hole). Again, closed hole is easier to learn on but the flute instructor will want you to move to an open hole after a time.
Alto flute? A gorgeous instrument. Mine is an Emerson. I'm on several recordings playing this, since it blends under a female vocal just beautifully. The trick is not to overblow it; it will not respond. But I wouldn't exactly call it a "new" instrument in the sense of it being different from soprano (regular) flute. You should be able to play both if you can play one, assuming you have strong air support. The alto flute would be useless for a beginner in a band, though; no literature.
One of the reasons I did not like the Yamaha key placement was it would have made me stumble when switching back and forth from my alto to soprano flute, and I did not like taking that chance.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
And alto flutes are in G right, meaning transposition on every song? Another fine if you learned it from the start like the bass clef readers beside me in the band. Here's your part, just transpose it up and drop 3 flats. I love that. (NOT)
Ok, so at least it's a starting point. Thanks Matt. I'd have to think about the Yamaha and key placements. I'm not sure how many more tricks that woman has.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564 |
Good luck.
Yes, the alto flute is pitched in G. I have a lot of fun on gigs, switching among instruments pitched in C (flute, trumpet); Bb (soprano sax, trumpet, flugelhorn); A (piccolo trumpet); and G (alto flute). Something to get your head around.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Found a Sonare with the powell headjoint, double e keys, and a b foot joint. 1100 Canuck bucks.
I put it on hold until I get my wife's credit card.
Thanks for the help.
fwi, the Emerson Alto, lowest price was 3k. A tad rich when she's never played one, except for a few minutes and then it was 'soundless'.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,564 |
You will love the Sonare! Good you could find it. That's just like mine.
That sounds about right for the Emerson now. I think they only make one model. If you're interested, I'll send you a link to a track from a CD where I played it.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,192
Posts801,790
Members40,063
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean