Musical Notes

A detailed guide to the Altus handmade flute lineup, comparing models 1207–1807 by tone hole construction, silver alloys, and acoustic character—designed to help players make an informed, confident investment.

General tips on flute care, along with detailed instructions and a video showing how to properly clean your instrument.

This instrument has an incredibly rich and powerful sound with a lot of edge to it. It also comes with Sankyo's NEL which allows high E's to speak more easily.

If you're in the market for a new flute, watch and listen to Emma, one of our woodwind techs, as she plays a few of her favorite models.

I'm currently working on a Couesnon flute. It's very interesting and very old - early 20th century - old.

Many reasons are touted for having open holed key works but for perhaps 95% of players they serve no purpose and have significant detractors. The inclination towards open holes is much stronger in some countries than others; America seems to have rather unquestioningly adopted the idea from the French. There are many superb players in the world who do indeed play on closed-hole flutes.