Which Key of Bamboo Flute Should I Start With

I am going to buy a bamboo flute, I have small hands. If I only can buy one flute, which one should I start with, Bb key flute, A key flute or G key flute or you have any other suggestions? Thanks.

yes

The higher the flute the harder it will be to play at first, so, unless you have a pretty good embouchure, the best flute will be the lowest you can play.

Rama and Jim:

Thanks. Should I start a Bb flute or the low D flute (lowest?)? For the low D flute I may have problem to cover all the holes.

I’d suggest maybe an F. Small enough that covering all the holes should be easy, large enough that getting good tone should not be too hard.

If you want to play with other people, you might want to consider a D flute despite the reach issues, since most tunes are played on D instruments. If you’re only interested in playing by yourself, I think it matters much less.

My first flute was actually in A; no problem with reach, but I couldn’t play with others. I’m now on flute number 4 – despite the money issues that made me say, after each flute, this is the last flute I will ever be able to afford.

Bamboo F flute - very tasty

Yeah, but on an F, you can play along with Lunasa. :laughing:

I love F for doing solo work. High enough to be easily heard, low enough not to be annoying.

I agree. I love my F bamboo. But I just by chance have ONE G bamboo that is just magical. (I don’t know why Erik The Flutemaker made THIS one better than the others, but it is just a whole different level of sound and playability. It is my favorite flute to learn a tune on. This is even including My Dixon 3-piece which is my Favorite “Irish” flute. And, because it’s in G, you CAN play with others fairly easily.

Just my humble opinion.

Kenneth