open hole vs closed hole flutes - which one is right for you? |

Hi my flutelyfers 💖 In today's video I cover a highly requested topic- open hole flutes vs closed hole flutes; what's the difference between open hole and closed hole flutes, and which one is right for you at this time in your flute journey? Plus, how to transition from your closed hole student flute to your new open hole intermediate flute.
Thanks to the Flute Center of New York for sponsoring this video!
Use my code KTFL when shopping there for the following perks:
1) free shipping
2) try 3 flutes for an extended 10 day trial period
3) extended 18 month warranty on your purchase
4) 10% off flute sheet music
find them at www.flutes4sale.com or email [e-mail]
flutes I used in this video:
Gemeinhardt 2sp student flute:
flutecenter.co...
Trevor James Virtuoso intermediate flute:
flutecenter.co...
some more of my favorite intermediate level flutes:
Yamaha model 482
flutecenter.co...
Amadeus by Haynes model 780
flutecenter.co...
Burkart Resona model r100
flutecenter.co...
Sonare by Powell model 501
flutecenter.co...
Plugo-Os by Powell, an alternative to plastic key plugs
flutecenter.co...
- ✨ l e t 's s t a y i n t o u c h ✨ -
Instagram- @katieflute / katieflute
Twitter- @katieflute / katieflute
Facebook- @officialkatieflute / officialkatieflute
Website- www.flutelyfe.com
merch- www.etsy.com/s...
- ✨ b i n g e w a t c h m y v i d e o s ✨ -
📓an etude a day videos • an etude a day
✏️the ULTIMATE beginner guide to playing the flute • beginner flute topics
🦄buying your first flute • BUYING YOUR FIRST FLUT...
🌸buying your first piccolo • best beginner piccolos...
💖flutelyfe videos • #flutelyfe
🎻violin & flute videos • flute & violin
🎹piano & flute videos • flute & piano
🎵alto flute videos • alto flute
🗽flute center of new york videos • Flute Center of New Yo...
🇦🇷argentina recital vlogs • Argentina recital 2019...
🇲🇽mexico recital vlogs • Mexico recital prep vlogs
🎼ALL of my music videos • Flute music
👯flute duet videos • flute duets
🥰get to know me videos • Q&A
🤓just for fun • just for fun
🐶Havanese puppy vlogs • puppy vlogs 🐶
- ✨ d i s c o u n t s ✨ -
10% off flute sheet music- use code "KTFL"
www.flutesheet...
looking for a new flute, piccolo, headjoint, or alto flute?
use code KTFL when shopping at the Flute Center of New York for these special perks:
choose three flutes to try for free
keep the flutes for an extended 10 day free trial
free shipping
18 month warranty
* all from the Flute Center of New York with code "KTFL"
www.flutes4sal... or email [e-mail]*
- ✨ FAQ ✨ -
Q: Where do you live?
A: I am based in NYC, but I am currently in Pennsylvania at my family's home due to everything going on with the pandemic.
Q: What flute do you play on?
A: I play on a 9 karat rose gold Muramatsu
Q: Where did you go to school?
A: I studied at New England Conservatory, The Juilliard School, and Peabody Conservatory
Q: What do you do besides KZbin/content creation?
A: I am a freelance flutist! I play concerts and teach privately.
- ✨ t h i n g s I u s e ✨ -
my filming setup- www.amazon.com...
my practice room staples- www.amazon.com...
- ✨ h a s h t a g s ✨ -
#flutelyfe #flute #openholevsclosedholeflutes

[@kawaiilombax]

I have no intention of learning the flute yet here I am lmao

[@katieflute]

That’s how it all starts 😈

[@aureaproportio]

i can confirm.

[@isabelcervantes2945]

I can confirm x2

[@lalaithan]

Come to the flutey side. We want your cookies, though.

[@clarachaput7000]

literally do it! its so fun

[@flutechannel]

Quality Flute Content, eh? Can I license that? Nice video katie btw.

[@ezequielrussell5901]

You prolly dont care but does anyone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account?? I was dumb forgot the password. I would love any tips you can offer me.

[@malcolmallan9234]

@Ezequiel Russell Instablaster =)

[@ezequielrussell5901]

@Malcolm Allan I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm in the hacking process now. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@ezequielrussell5901]

@Malcolm Allan It worked and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my account!

[@malcolmallan9234]

@Ezequiel Russell you are welcome :D

[@TheRealDrJoey]

I prefer a closed hole flute for two main reasons: 1.) When I bought my current flute, about 50 years ago now, I was playing in bars and clubs, and a lot of what I was doing was pretty fast and loose. I didn't want notes going sour because I didn't cover a hole properly. 2.) The offset G key is WAY more comfortable, particularly if you're playing for long stretches. I also play clarinet, which is of course open-holed, and that's fine, but I really think most flutists would be better off with close holed, offset G flutes.

[@blueskieshera]

I started out on an open hole flute, it's been nine-ish years, and tbh I wouldn't change it a bit. I love my flute and still use it.

[@DoctorCannabis1]

Marry me

[@palmiye9893]

i had given up on my flute (i had been playing it for more than 6 years) bc i didn’t think i was going anywhere. Then i discovered your channel, bought myself a good flute and started where i left off. Thanks so much for the inspiration and the quality👏flute👏content👏💖💝

[@Kai-my6lo]

Which flute did u buy?

[@suzanneparker1799]

I'm so glad to hear that putting a plug in the D key is ok. I have struggled all my flute life trying to get to C from D without fudging the sound of the C. Finally at the age of 65 I've put that plug in to terrific results. What used to be difficult passages are a breeze now. Better late than never.

[@asquare9316]

At the age of 67, I've gone back to a closed hole flute due to arthritis in my fingers. I hear no discernible difference in sound between closed and open flutes of the same level. I play a plateau keyed Powell Commercial vintage flute.

[@aidamustonen1121]

I switched to an open hole flute six months ago and I feel like it really leveled up my playing ! The new flute overall feels way better than my previous plateau key yamaha.

[@thecreativegeek7886]

i switched from my beginner jupiter that i’ve been playing for five years to an intermediate yamaha and even though i’m still transitioning to open holes, it sounds so much better

[@literallyreally]

An upgrade when your ready/outgrown your student flute makes sense, but what are the indicators that you've outgrown your flute. Like what should we be looking for exactly?

[@cocowang2005]

i mean like for me, i've had my open hole flute for around 4 years at least, and i switched because i was playing at a higher level and my teacher felt that my technique was ready for a newer and more advanced flute. also, recently i was learning a piece for my exam and they needed the open hole to make the different sounds (not covering the hole completely) so i would say that when you're doing a higher level, an open hole flute would be beneficial.

[@whisperrayne9590]

I know that I knew I was ready when I felt like I could no longer advance. I felt hindered by my flute and knew it was time for an upgrade.

[@nikkiphan2528]

I’ve had my open hole flute for about 8 months ( I got it just before the lockdown) but I’ve known that I’ve wanted/needed an intermediate flute for about a year. I felt my student couldn’t give me want I wanted in terms of sound quality and dynamics. Plus I had tried some intermediate flutes in the spring of 2019 when a music company let my high school band try intermediate instruments for about 2 weeks. When I went back to my student flute it just didn’t feel right anymore. I would say get an open hole intermediate flute when you feel your student flute can’t give you want you need for the music that you are playing. Also if you can try out intermediate flutes to see how it feels to you.

[@minteclairs247]

@@nikkiphan2528 I went though almost the same situation that you did! I got my open-hole flute over a year ago. On my student flute, it was getting difficult to get a good tone on high notes, and overall, I needed a flute that would allow me to obtain a higher sound quality.

[@ttv_fuzecore1903]

maybe when you feel like you are getting very used to playing with closed holes and then you can get at intermediate flute and then take out one or 2 plugs at a time and just practice and get used to it.

[@beakerthebeaver581]

Yes, I’ve been waiting for this video for 1 year. I asked my band professor what is the difference between these flutes and he told me that the open hold sounds better but I was skeptical. I’ve been playing for 2 years and he told me I am ready for the change to an open hole flute since I am first chair. Edit: when I start working I’ll definitely do the change, I feel like I’m ready.

[@irwaurzyniak4]

i got my first open hole flute this summer and started taking private lessons outside of school and my tone has improved so much

[@annharper8342]

I have cork plugs after having a stroke, my finger tips left hand intermittent loss of sensation.yes, resonance changed but being able to play is more important.i also have a curved flute head to reduce stress on left side. My point, is to play, find what suits you. Open or closed , we can make beautiful music.

[@Jenifer.flute20]

I was having some discomfort in my left hand and arm, so I keep a plug in both the open left hand keys. I have short arms and shortish fingers, so the plugs help. I used to be a "purist" but I realized my comfort and enjoyment in playing was more important than whether I used a plug or two.

[@tokyodoru]

You're completely right it's preference and what works best

[@antoniocalvo8161]

Katie, welcome back! Thanks!! 🎉🥳😙

[@TheCoffree]

hurray for plugs! lifesavers! :) I have two plugs, for both my ring fingers. I tried the plugOs, but after a while I took them off and put back the silicone ones. I found that silver plugs rendered the keys overall heavier, and I couldn't play as lightly as I wanted. thank you for your videos :)

[@ericagoehring1089]

I just had my first official lesson after watching my daughter play flute for the last year. I am so excited to learn!

[@miavillana860]

i don't play flute, i'm just here for katie 💘💙

[@rlgcy9771]

You saved me from my transition from my close hole to open hole, I’m not even joking, I chose the flute because I thought you didn’t have to close any holes on the instrument for my feeble skinny piano fingers and yet, here I am.

[@khufuisboss9533]

Welcome back Katie!!! Love your vids & hope you’re well!

[@Bandetta_]

In 6th grade is when I started playing, when my parents bought my flute through the school I was given a open hole flute with bungs (plugs) in. I pushed so hard on the keys the bungs would pop out and would fall out the end. So I learned to play flute on the open hole from the start and I’m happy I did! I graduated in 2016 and still have my flute ♥️

[@caros2354]

I would love to see a video where you talk about switching/upgrading and how I know I am ready 😄

[@nicholasbreiding7145]

I’ve missed your posts! Thank you for sharing this! I actually upgraded my beginner one - which I got off of your recommendation- to a beautiful open holed one from FCNY! took me a minute to get used to it but now I’m loving it more each day

[@maunzilovesmusic1859]

I started out on an open hole flute and got all the plugs out over 1.5 to 2 years, one by one. Now I just got a new flute, after having my old one for 8 years, again open holes and I didn't keep the pads, because even though I have small hands I don't need them, witch I'm kinda proud of

[@user-mw7qs3nt8p]

Kween is back!

[@kyleedrobeck6890]

Omg I've been waiting for months for you to post this video!!!

[@santiagobarrero1_147]

Hi Katie ! OMG missed so much the phrase "Quality Flute Content (TM) jajaja" Loveeee your videos !!

[@michaelshelley1289]

SOOOOO glad to see you again!!!

[@hannahshimomotosim2338]

Katie!!! I'm so glad you're back! I love your content so so much!!

[@petitroque1499]

I'm back to flute after 30 years. Played it 5 years in high school. I've been playing the clarinet for 4 years now. I am at the upper spectrum of intermediate level. So, its been 3 weeks now, practicing flute 1 hour everyday. My goal is to become intermediate. It's going very well. My tone improved very much already. I had not forgotten everything from high school. Many fingerings are identical to clarinet. And anyway, I remembered kinestesically my chromatic scale on 2 octaves, even after 30 years. Soooooooo..... I have a closed holes Yamaha YFL-222 and it will stay like that forever... it's fine... I'll never outgrow it.... I just want to record duets alone, with a computer, microphone, software etc... All clarinets have open holes. On the clarinet, if a hole is not well closed, most of the time no sound will come off OR it will produce a very displeasing sound... I customized my clarinet, by changing the shape of 2 keys, with the help of a professionnal jeweler (silver keys), to fit better my physionomy... I doubt a flutist would do that. Keys are much more numerous and cramped on a clarinet. I play on Buffet Crampon festival greenline... it's a professional instrument, it's overkill for me, and the clarinet itself feels she deserve better than my hands... 😉 Tnx for your content Katie 🙂

[@keenanperry815]

Super helpful... I've been so apprehensive about pulling the plugs out of my b-foot blow stick but now with the revelation of pulling one at a time and trying it out is one of those... Why didn't I think of that things? Thank you so much for the post and thank you for the information about The Flute Center!

[@tiernandevine2849]

Hi Katie you made me and start to learn the the Miller Brown the Irish traditional flute

[@MusicalJeanAz]

I am an older flute player. Used a closed flute for years. So when I upgraded finally to an open holed flute I just couldn't get the hang of it. So I plugged all the holes and am thrilled with it now. It sounds wonderful compared to my old student flute.

[@joshuaqueflander8178]

As a flute player who learned in a very poor and small school, I can understand the frustration of going from a closed hole flute to an open hole flute immediately haha. I am very thankful I made the jump now though, and I finally have my own personal Yamaha 677 model, thanks to the insight on these I got from all the flute channels on KZbin! Thank you so much for the content!

[@michellescheen2630]

My flute teacher took away one plug a week. I do the same to my students. I leave G for last. I play an open hole, in-line, Powell. I have played open hole since 1986.

[@andreamasky304]

omg thank you soo much for this video!!

[@pablocaroselli262]

I had a partner in my military band much younger than me, Pablo Raninqueo, who unfortunately died of a brain tumor, Well, you should listen to the jazz improvisations I did with the hole open pure blues

[@fgorlando]

Your intro is back at 1:30 ! Yay!! I had missed hearing that on some of your previous videos 😂😂. On the other hand, it will now be stuck in my head for a long time 😐

[@dcnannen4319]

i started off with an open hole flute from last march and i've already grown out of it lol

[@ahabsbane]

I'm a guy that was convinced to take up sax due to growing up in the 90s but always liked the bright happy sound of the flute, you really answered several questions I had before buying my first flute. I think I'll be going for the open from start, thanks!

[@kaoriflute1427]

Me, who already has an open-hole intermediate flute, watching this :D

[@Duskyplayinghisflute253]

My favourite flute is an open hole With b foot joint those are really really popular I really want to get a golden flute for Christmas really pretty and beautiful they sound beautiful

[@moon_lyrics]

I play clarinet not flute but your so enjoyable to watch so here I am

[@denisemiller2650]

I don’t play the flute but I really enjoyed your video. Thank you

[@ViktoriousFlutes]

Omg I had the same right hand pain and I have small hands too! I have all the plugs in because I don't have to press too hard to cover up the whole hole.

[@jewels4236]

Open holes flutes are so good I been playing since 6th grade and I’m still band I got a open holes flute during middle of freshmen year and I wouldn’t change it I love how the tone sounds on the open holes flute

[@4ohgollycats]

My flute teacher did a blindfold test to choose her last flute. Going by sound and feel rather that the looks.

[@celestesinclair5910]

Careful about popping out the plugs. They tend to go flying off and disappearing into the ether somewhere. (Of course, then you have to get used to covering the holes, so maybe it's not a bad thing.)

[@murraykriner9425]

You've explained much better when and why my transition might come than other's that only seem to offer shame for not having shown greater mastery earlier. I'm not a child, and only want to experience the joy of playing, rather than the sour dispositions of their frustrated earlier lives learning this skill. I'll still likely weigh just how critical it is to have the French variety, but at least it doesn't involve mental therapy now. Very well done young lady.

[@justinpierce7712]

I can feel her pain with the strain on her right hand with the open hole d key and going to low b. I play an English Horn (Two completely different instruments I know) but the D key on mine is supposed to be fully covered because there is a hole for glissando purposes and resonance. Anyways, there is also a key to the left of that key controlled by your ring finger called the banana key which plays a low C and is used for trilling between low C and C#. Trying to cover the hole on the D key and pressing the banana key is already straining enough on my right hand and then trilling that low C# is also straining and hard because your ring finger could slip and mess up the trill. Also the English Horn is huge and is often hard to hold and breathe in.

[@APenguinsLullaby]

I've got me an open hole flue as my first, but then again, I'm a grown as man, not a kid, so that's probably fine for my massive fingers.

[@fairyoracle9086]

I found that I have the same problem with my ring finger and the (d) key and didn’t event think about plugging the whole... such a great 💡 idea.

[@ItsWayMoreThanMusic]

I love how you present your content makeup guru style

[@kathy794]

About a hundred years ago when I moved up to my first open holed flute, my teacher took the plugs away. I was lucky that I did okay without them.

[@dramachild619]

this is super helpful to me not gonna lie, im going to learn how to play open hole flutes soon so this is good to know as i already said! Thanks!

[@terrilucas6594]

Love your videos! I use plugs in my flute because I was hit by a jet ski in my spine and I have really bad nerve damage in my hands. I can’t feel the holes so they help me assure they are always covered.

[@shawns711]

My dad bought me an open hole flute when I started playing flute. I was in the 6th grade small hands but I took it on myself to remove the plastic plugs. I guess I must have been a rebel because I did it all at once and never turned back, lol. I did purchase a used closed hole flute as a back up and every time I play it , it just feels weird. I have only had a model with a C foot, though. When I tried a B foot model I needed the D plugged. When I do get a B foot model I am sure I will (pardon the pun lol) keep plugging away so I can remove the D plug...

[@neeko4676]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I personally never had the opportunity to learn an instrument. I would have chosen the flute. I do love watching your videos even though I'm not a music student. They are always interesting and fun to watch

[@bobjacobson858]

If you are alive and breathing, there's probably no reason why you can't learn to play flute or any other instrument now. Although I had a musical background, I was essentially away from playing instruments for a long time, but got back into it at age 68, taking up mostly brass (as I already had experience with woodwinds and strings). However, now at 71 I decided to buy a flute off eBay, and am looking forward to learning to play it when arrives about a week from now.

[@Aronne.]

@@bobjacobson858 Hey bob, how is it going?

[@bobjacobson858]

@@Aronne. Thanks; it's a bit slow, and I'm still having a tough time getting the sound I want, but hopedly that will come. Even with the sound I'm getting, I find I can play notes--last night I realized that holding down the keys with the left thumb made a BIG difference. I was so used to thinking of keys in this location as being octave keys (such as on clarinets and saxophones) that I didn't bother with these keys until I realize they CLOSE rather than OPEN holes. I put a couple rubber bands around the flute on the side of the lip plate to make it easier to find the embouchure hole. Getting used to the location of the keys is taking a bit of time, and my being blind in my right eye makes it a bit more difficult. However, I figure I'll do well once I get my sound the way it should be. (I also got an oboe a few days afterward, and although I can play some notes on it, it is still essentially an oversized "duck call" for me at this point!)

[@Aronne.]

Alright Bob. You will eventually get the sound you wish to get. I wish you the best! (If I did any grammatical mistakes I'm sorry, but I'm Italian).@@bobjacobson858

[@bobjacobson858]

@@Aronne. Thanks; I'll keep practicing! I've decided to practicing fingering the notes, as even my poor tones allow me to hear the intended tones. Your grammar is fine. FWIW, here's a minor point--"all right" is actually supposed to be written as two words--but I think at least half the population in the US doesn't get this correct!

[@keatonvanderlinden59]

Engagement...... She deserves it

[@vetaniellecalya1662]

Just recently bought my first open holed flute after over 8-9 years of playing on my close-holed old flute. Though I am a proficient recorder player as well, so playing with almost all plugs out doesn't seem that much of a struggle after I tried it a few times. I only need a plug for my right middle finger as I have small hands with short fingers and I tend to lift that particular finger a bit when reaching down for the c note. I didn't buy a b-footjoint as I'm not a professional player and don't usually need to play the low b. Can't wait to see the progress I'll make now as the old flute really was limiting my abilities.

[@bootyhole3659]

I love ur vids

[@Flutef0rLife_]

As a begginer flutist, my teacher recommended me the flute with the open holes so i can get to the rught pose while playing

[@suzannedelonas392]

Lol my private teacher forced me to take all the plugs out. Drove myself crazy but I learned! 😂😂😂 Love your channel!

[@oboealto]

Thanks for the fantastic video! so informative and fun to watch.

[@potat079]

I switched to open hole during high school (had started flute in 5th grade). I'm pretty sure I took out all the plugs at once because I didn't consider easing into it, & no one else around me with an open holed flute to guide me! 😂

[@RealJstJazz]

I play clarinet so I know how vibrations on the pads of yours fingers. :)

[@sparkshot289]

Weirdly, I actually learnt how to play flute on one with open-holes. I went from the sax to flute and the biggest challenge was definitely the embouchure.

[@MarchalisVan]

I just drooled imagining having parents with so much house, that they simply leave your old room untouched.

[@margaarbinamartinez9927]

I started playing the flute when I was 8 and I started with open holes and no plugs. I think that's the norm here in Spain (maybe rest of Europe as well) since I remember all the other kids having open holes.

[@marcyfarlow7207]

Thank you! I needed this. I've been playing flute for about 5 years. I feel like a minority for still playing on a closed hole flute. It's definitely a personal choice to stick to an instrument that suits you best. I am a small person with small hands, so I can't handle holes. I've tried it and it's not for me. My very first flute was a Gemeinhardt 52sp. I started playing on the original j1 silver plated headjoint, but I later ended up getting a more expensive sterling silver headjoint that made the flute sound SO MUCH BETTER. I find that in my experience, my Gemeinhardt still sounds great and does all that I need for being a high school band student. Again, I agree that it is not worth pain to upgrade to an instrument that doesn't quite suit you.

[@anndaniels4034]

Can you talk about buying a back up flute? I have a Burkart Phelan semi-pro that I need to bring in for work and maintenance, and now I kinda want another flute to play while waiting for the repairs. I can't spend too much but obviously I don't want to waste money on something too low

[@Jenifer.flute20]

Probably a Burkart Resona would give you the closest feel and sound to what you have since they're made by the same company. I really like my azumi and it was under $3k

[@ursamieetv6348]

I like the backround music of flutelyfe lol-😅💛 by the way flutist here from philippines❤

[@jayveeaurea9091]

Sameeee

[@LarryShone]

Having played clarinet for 3 years I couldn't imagine playing one with closed holes. Yet they exist.

[@Mystickayla]

In junior high I had to switch to a open hole flute because that’s the flute my sister had. I lost a couple of the plugs so I quickly had to learn how to play it with without the last three plugs and I left the first two in then I lost those so my freshman year I was quickly trying to learn how to march a open hole flute

[@MegaCloudygirl]

I thought I would never do this, just bought a lovely open hole Powell Sonare. So definitely need this video to help transition.

[@francocarraminana]

Para mí, tanto llaves abiertas como cerradas son igual de válidas y ambas tienen sus pros y sus contras. Por ejemplo, para mí que tengo los dedos pequeños, las llaves de la parte del pie de la flauta me cuestan un poco alcanzarlas (reb, do y si) y cuando toco con una flauta de llaves cerradas me es más fácil alcanzar esas notas graves ya que debo adoptar posturas que con una flauta de llaves abiertas las notas no sonarían. Por otro lado, mientras la nota más grave que tenga que tocar sea un re, prefiero las llaves abiertas porque le dan más proyección y claridad a las notas, sobre todo desde el fa hacia abajo. Si tengo que tocar notas por debajo del re, estoy obligado a usar los tapones, aunque ello signifique perder claridad en algunas notas. Si fuera por mí, que las flautas tuvieran solo hasta el re grave, así me evitaría los problemas de las llaves cerradas y no pondría en riesgo ninguna nota. Ahora bien, si me preguntan por cuál elijo, definitivamente elijo las llaves abiertas, porque aunque no pueda dedicarme a la interpretación de obras clásicas (que casi todas ocupan hasta el si grave del pie), puedo dedicarme a la composición y pues ahí yo defino cuál es la nota más grave y la más aguda en cada pieza, de tal manera que, en caso de querer, pueda interpretar mis propias obras (claro, si son obras para otras personas, pues ahí les planto las notas del pie de la flauta).

[@a_jones0523]

I started going open holed my freshmen year, I was completely opened holed by the end of my sophomore year also the only open holed player in my section, most started then junior and senior year and it really is just a preference. I like it more because it feels like I have more control of my fingerings and I’ve become so used to it. It’s my senior year and I always get asked why and what is the difference and honestly I never knew except it being a more intermediate based objective.

[@ellebows]

they made us switch in sixth grade at my school lol. i’m glad they did though because i don’t know if i could’ve handled playing on a pink flute for two years

[@livlysebo7884]

This is some real quality content :)

[@aurynaichi7030]

Thanks a lot of us have no idea about holes/noholes so this was a goodie.

[@anonymouse7079]

I honestly didn't realize that I'd literally have to sell my car to MAYBE afford a good quality flute lol, but glad you're open-minded about lowering our price ranges xD

[@willistaylor4077]

I bought an Altus 807 Flute earlier this year (2020). I think I will wait til I start lessons on Flute again next year, and take the plugs out then. My plans for lessons got scrapped this year due to you-know-what.

[@justjohn9067]

Interesting young Katie! I bought myself an open holed flute but after a few months I just had to put the plugs back in. I play guitar too and have at times odd shaped callouses on some of my left hand fingers, and couldn’t guarantee I’d cover the holes as callouses change shape all the time

[@markgaddie6290]

do you have a video about transitioning from an intermediate to a pro? my teacher thinks i've outgrown my yamaha 577, thank you love your channel!

[@victorhugo1819]

Me, a recorder player watching this video: ...

[@junenovae]

Just so you have an idea for when to switch from closed to open holes. In my flute class most students will swtich around their 4th year. Some purchase a open hole in their first year (I did and I do not recommend cause I didn't know what would suit me the best) some later. But by the 5th year everyone in my class has open holes , though most do keep some plugs.

[@jakubbacela9482]

I am a student and I play with open hols ❤🎉

[@martyg374]

As a pro woodwind doubler (flute, saxophones, clarinet) My flute is a Yamaha solid sterling, with offset G and closed holes, a compromise to aid switching. Just my peronal preference.

[@paulineb66]

I’ve played flute for about 40 years, and I play an open hole flute with the plugs in. I just didn’t hear much difference when the plugs were out, and with the plugs in I don’t have to worry about keeping the holes covered.

[@zenitsuagatsuma2058]

hmm….I’ve been playing flute for 3 years, I’m an 8th grader, and my flute came with keys that are open holes but had removable plugs. I removed them last year, and my flute has been holding me back lately, I don’t have the gizmo key which I need with the music I play. Is my flute intermediate or student? It doesn’t have the upgraded foot joint- also, my notes sometimes crack when I play because I use lots of air, should I switch to a more advanced flute? Things like third octave C is very easy to me….I feel like my flute is keeping me from my potential. Oh and Yesterday I did my region band audition and got 6th chair in the top band:)) proud of myself

[@andrewcallimahos9349]

My Platinum Wm. S. Haynes Flute has closed holes !!!

[@1015SaturdayNight]

At 51 years of age and with arthritis, I've put the plugs back in after 40 years! My hands hurt too much to worry about it

[@WytcherNytes]

Oh no! My hyperextending fingers are going to give me a problem on the flute, too? 😩

[@robynelarsonthesaxchick8277]

Open hole hands down for preforming

[@danicag.1310]

When I finally stopped renting and bought my own flute for my third year playing the store said they had an intermediate flute that had a slight mistake on the logo so was super discounted but it was still a little more expensive the the student flute and I really wanted it but my parents didn’t want to spend the extra money, lol, oh well, years later I still use my student flute (although I did go a few years without playing and I don’t practice much outside of my actual band practices these days, lol

[@rachellmang-osan9401]

My hands are small i have small hands and im a beginner these information is helpfull,closed flute is the one i want to play

[@tesmith47]

I was listening to Yuseef Lateef when this came up!! Never knew this about flutes!! Oh yeah. I am a TUBA player

[@GeneralElConsult]

Thanks, that was helpful ^^ I got a lot of answers.

[@pablocaroselli262]

It is true that there is difficulty to cover the holes, but that helps the good positioning of the fingers, which will subsequently result in better fingering, I have a closed yamaha 400 flute but my recommendation is to study with one with closed holes. and once mastered the subject of suport and good sound, change to an open holes,, ,, common sense naturally, the big ones use open holes for something would be, ,,,,,, galway, rampal, pahud ,, jasmine ,, griminelli ... katie ,,,, etc more money but better, ,,

[@acelynntoelke6857]

I have been playing flute for 3 years and i have tried using my friends open holed flute and boy oh boy thats hard. Maybe sometime in the future i can again try an open holed flute, when i think im ready to try again.

[@tehteh25]

I hate open holed flutes....but I'm thinking about the ones that have no keys at all, just holes... I could NEVER close those holes properly, there were always holes that felt WAAAAY to big for my fingers, especially the pinky, I would love to try one with keys but I can't take on any more musical hobbies right now