Buying a Beginner Flute

Sarah Noah is an amazing teacher. Sure, she doesn't know the names of the different parts of the flute and says things like the silk rag is to "swap out your flute", but she is a lovely person with a kind voice so I don't care what she says.

well, hopefully i'm on the right username (aurumite dreams) now... delasonorite and I are having a pleasant flutists dinner at an internet cafe and the usernames didn't switch! But, in agreement with smood, it IS "quite startling that someone with 11 years of experience would think this..."

The holes are definitely for half-holing and possibly volume... delasonorite says: "Although harsh and at times rude, everything Sarah_is_an_idiot has to say is true. Trust me; I'm an *actual* flute expert. Go get a private teacher if you want to get anywhere on flute without developing all the bad habits this Sarah has." I trust delasonorite; in fact, "De La Sonorite: Art et Technique" is a book for very advanced flutists (at the level this Sarah never can attain with these habits she's teaching). I would definitely trust someone with that username. I'd also trust Leah Connolly; she's another expert on the site who has an actual degree in playing flute as opposed to just consistently getting first chair in the bottom level band of their high school.

Not to sound harsh but I think "Sarah_is_an_idiot" is correct. The holes are not for creating a more rich tone by sealing them with your finger.. it is quite startling that someone with 11 years of experience would think this. The holes are for partial covering during playing (or 'half-holing') to bend notes while playing.

Saraha says.. "The purpose of the holes is to creat a seal with your fingers which creats a more rich tone. " Is this girl possibly on drugs? The is the biggest BS yet! If you want a good laugh then listen to this girl. If you want proper advice, please don't listen to a word of what she says!