Hi guys,
I know this was mentionged recently but I can’t find the thread even after using the search function so… what is a good flute for a beginner that isn’t too expensive?
I heard there are some good plastic ones out there and some inexpensive wooden models as well. Or perhaps someone is interested in selling an old beginner’s flute to a nice new home? 
-Derek-
Oh… not a Boehm-style flute. Just the nice simple kind.
Hi Derek,
There are lots of us flute players who visit both the whistle and the flute pages, but you might get a rounder answer over on the flute forum.
Erik
Well, just in case you do not get over there here is my suggestion:
Casey Burns Folk Flute ( caseyburnsflutes.com)
I got one for my wife for Christmas and she loves it to death. I am going to have to talk to Casey about some sort of commision on all the referrals I give out!!!
(woo hoo - number 500)
Like Steve said. Casey Burns beginner flute. There are many other good choices, but considering the price and quality, it’s hard to recommend anything else.
It depends on many things.
What’s your price range? There are decent cylindrical-bore flutes for under $100. Hammy Hamilton’s aluminum practice flute, a couple of PVC flutes, and Patrick Olwell’s bamboo flutes come to mind. All of these are more difficult to play, but the Olwell especially is a good flute that you’ll eventually get a good sound from.
Do you want to put up with the care of wood? If not, there are a number of decent polymer flutes with conical bores. Dixon, M&E, and Seery come to mind. I think all of these can be had in the $200-300 range.
Then there are some good inexpensive wooden flutes. The Burns beginner’s has been mentioned, and Phil Bleazey makes a Rudall model, complete with slide, that’s less than $400. I have one of these, and, while it’s definitely not a great flute for Irish music, I play it way more than another flute that cost considerably more and gets better reviews.
I would really recommend posting this query to the flute board.