NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTES/BUYING/PICKING

Hello everyone.This is my guide on how to pick a great native american flute on okay or anywhere you decide to buy one.Here are my advice tips
1)DO NOT assume that the more expensive a flute may be,or that if its made by a certain artist,that you will automatically love it.When buying a flute,its important to seek out a flute with a beautiful tone and sound,rather then buy it for fancy woodworking or a elaborate fetish block or beads or feathers attached....these are all cosmetic enhancements,but have no bearing on the MOST important thing....the sound.If you are a true lover and seeker of beautiful flute music you will not automatically rule out flutes that may be cheaper and plainer looking...sometimes the cheaper,less decorated flutes can rival those more decorated as far as sound quality.Buy first with your ears,THEN with your eyes,if nessesary.
2)Many things can help determine a flutes sound..the fetish block(the part on top which controls air flow) has no bearing on this...the kind of wood the flute is made of,for example,can determine if the flute has a more clear pronunced high pitch or a deeper,fat,richer sounding resonsance...clear higher pitched woods are soft woods like birch,warm rich sound gees from harder woods like walnut...the lenth of the flute is another factor for overall sound...thew shorter the lenth of flute,the smaller it is,the higher the pitch..the longer and bigger it is,the lower and richer the pitch...the higher noted flutes are a to c,the lower noted flutes d-f,with d being the lowest note.Cedar is a most celebrated wood for native flute players for its gebined clearness and yet resonates well,but if you cant find one in cedar,fear not,flutes gee in all sizes and woods.
3)I truly feel that buying a flute in person is highly ideal,but,if you must buy one online,there is one thing you MUST do...INSIST on getting a sound byte of that flute FIRST AND FOREMOST before you buy...have the seller send you one through email or let you hear the flute on the phone but NEVER buy without hearing it first.Flutes are not cheap,so its best to be happy with what you buy before you agree to purchase it.
4) some flutes have larger finger holes.If you have small fingers,its best to inquire about the size of the holes and the streach required to play said flute before you buy.A simple email asking about these two things can save alot of grief...and money.
5) i would regemend looking for a flute that is protected from moisture outside,and if available,inside too...moisture can ruin a flute,and if the flute has a protective sealed coating on the wood,it will prolong its life.For extra added care,i would regemend take a soft cloth and spraying furniture polish on it,then wiping your flute down...this adds more protection..also,after playing your flute,stand it up on one end to let all moisture dry out..let sit for awhile
6) some flutes are very "airy" with their sound...some are clean and clear...this is why its important to hear it before you buy...to make sure that all the notes on the flute are consistant sounding.
7) its also a great idea to get a flute bag to store your flute in between playings...doesnt have to be anything fancy...a simple flannel bag will do....same rule applies to the bag as it does to a flute...cosmetic anything is strictly for the sake of cosmeitc pride,and not about sound or preservation thereof...but its all about what makes you happy.
thanks..jullietleftylover