What materials are flutes made from?
Flutes are typically made of metal, wood, or bamboo. Recorders played by elementary school children are often made of plastic, but the tone on them is terrible. The best tones come from flutes made of silver or gold because they vibrate well, creating more resonance. Wood has what is called a “dead” tone because it does not resonate well, and it is much harder to take care of. Student flutes are often made of nickel-silver alloy or silver-plated brass (the alloy has a better sound but is more expensive) and this is fine for a beginner. Professional flutes also may have an extra key at the end to reach the B below middle C. Open-hole flutes, with holes through many of the fingering keys, are preferred by concert flautists because of the louder and clearer sound in low ranges and for special advanced tones. If a younger flautist is using an open-hole flute, he or she can get plugs to put in the holes until they master the exact finger placement.
