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!

One word answer now: Sonare.

I'll write more later!

I was looking at that on a Toronto Web site, for a store I frequent. None is stock it seems.

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?".

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

Great!