Flute is not an easy instrument!

[LarryS]

I've had this thing about 2 years now and I still can't play a tune properly on it. Beginners will struggle to get below low E. I can just about get D.
When I got my clarinet I was playing tunes within a week!

https://youtu.be/q7l8vc48q9Y

[DaveLeBlanc]

I quickly gave up the flute. It was just too difficult. I could never get a good embouchure and air flow; after 10 or so minutes I would be so out of breath I would start to feel dizzy and almost pass out.

[LarryS]

I gave up the fight, donated it to a charity shop.

[windydankoff]

I picked up flute in 1970, because it fit in my backpack. I hyperventilated for about 2 weeks until "Mary had a Little Lamb".

I fell so much in love with the sound that I played it EVERY day for the first 10 years, with rare exceptions, until I had some reasonable command. I love it to this day. I love the contrast between the flute and the reed.

For improvising musicians, I recommend the Native American flute as a MUCH easier instrument, with its own special charm. It has helped me to learn subtle breath control and expression, and also to gracefully utilize open holes. Those skills have helped improve my clarinet playing.

I would not recommend playing more than two types of instrument, for anyone wishing to attain any degree of mastery. It spreads you too thin.

[LarryS]

I have a native American flute, but I rarely play it because it is very limiting.

[Windsong]

Dave and Larry--couldn't agree more.  I never had the chops for flute.  I tried and tried, but it was not for me. Windy--I applaud your perseverance! 
On my last birthday, my sister bought me an Armenian Duduk.  I have had a little more luck with that (cross between a flute and an oboe--kind of), but the embouchure still feels entirely foreign to me,  and I still don't play like the blokes on the YouTube videos, lol. 

[LarryS]

Dave and Larry--couldn't agree more.  I never had the chops for flute.  I tried and tried, but it was not for me. Windy--I applaud your perseverance! 
On my last birthday, my sister bought me an Armenian Duduk.  I have had a little more luck with that (cross between a flute and an oboe--kind of), but the embouchure still feels entirely foreign to me,  and I still don't play like the blokes on the YouTube videos, lol.

I fancy trying a duduk. The one wind instrument where you're supposed to puff your cheeks

[brigaltman]

I've been playing woodwinds for over 65 years. I started with sax and then added oboe. Besides being a music educator, I performed regularly as a woodwind doubler for concerts and theater. Of all of my doubles, flute is the one that requires my constant attention. A good head joint is of the utmost importance. Over the years I've worked myself up to a couple of Murumatsus. I just went through trying several less expensive flutes looking for something that would serve me well for less money. I tried a Powell, a Azumi, and a Gemeinhardt. None of them had the fullness that the Murumatsus provided. The bottom line is, however, there are no easy instruments. Some are easier to produce a starter sound, but there just isn't an easy instrument to master. After 65 years, I'm still working to master any one my instruments.

[ElizabethDeco]

This is interesting to me as I was thinking about picking up the flute as I get so frustrated sometimes with the whole business of the reed. I'll bear in mind what you say brigaltman - I was thinking of just getting an inexpensive one to try.

[brigaltman]

Just an update. I recently sold my less expensive Muramatsu when I picked a Jupiter. I've found that with my Muramatsu head joint the Jupiter actually plays easier than my expensive flute, with a tone that is really close, and the intonation is very good. I like it so much, I just bought a solid silver Jupiter (not to replace my Muramatsu). All of my flute are open hole with B foot and both of the Jupiters have a split E mechanism. Keep the faith and enjoy the trip.