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Do you want to start playing the flute but don’t have a ton of money to spend on an instrument? In this Mendini C flute review and guide, we go over if the cheap flute is right for you.
Like other brands, Mendini can be a great option for some flutists but not others. It’s up to you to learn more about the flute to decide if you should buy and play a Mendini.
What Is The Mendini C Flute?
The Mendini C flute is an affordable flute model in the key of C. When you think of a flute, a C flute is probably what you picture because it’s the most common member of the flute family.
Specs
It features closed holes, which is pretty standard for beginner models. Closed holes are more forgiving than open holes when it comes to where you place your fingers on them to play a certain note.
The offset G is another standard spec, and it brings the G key to the left of the other keys. That makes it easy to reach that key if you have a short left-hand ring finger.
This flute features a C footjoint, so you can play down to middle C. Again, that spec is pretty common among beginner flutes, but the pictures in the listing don’t position the footjoint correctly, so don’t use that as a guide.
Surprisingly, this flute comes with a split E mechanism. The third octave E can be hard to play without cracking the note, and the split E helps make that note speak more easily.
Other Important Factors
Now, if you search for Mendini C flutes on Amazon, you will find multiple results. However, they all appear to be basically the same. This listing looks slightly different and has an extra cleaning swab, but it has a lot of the same specs.
All of the various Mendini C flute listings come with accessories, such as a case, flute stand, and cleaning products. But you shouldn’t use the cork grease that comes with the flute because that won’t do anything for the metal.
If you also happen to get a piccolo, and the piccolo has a cork, you can use the grease there. But adding cork grease to metal tenons either won’t do anything, or it can collect dirt and make assembling the flute almost impossible.
Pros
- Suitable for beginners
- Standard flute specs
- Affordable
- Comes with accessories
Cons
- Not the best quality
How To Choose A C Flute
When looking to buy a Mendini C flute, you should consider if it’s the best model for you. Knowing how to choose a C flute can help you narrow your search.
I’ve shopped for and bought a flute three times, and I’ve used similar factors to help make each purchase. You can use the same things to decide if a Mendini C flute is right for you.
Whether you’ve played the flute or not, here’s how you can choose your ideal instrument.
Level
The most important factor to consider is your level of playing on the flute. When I first tried flutes, I was looking for a good beginner model because I was still fairly new to playing the instrument.
But the next time around, I had experience and needed something better. And when it came time to buy the flute I play now, I had even more things to think about.
I could recommend my current flute to a beginner, but they would probably struggle to play it. Knowing your level of playing can help you figure out what specs are the best for your needs.
Materials
At any level of flute playing, the right materials can make a huge difference in your sound. Silver is by far the most common flute material, and you can choose from solid silver or silver plating over nickel.
If you’re shopping for a professional flute, you may even want to consider gold or platinum. Silver flutes project well and have a bright sound.
Gold and platinum add a bit of warmth to the sound, so they’re mellow than silver. Nickel with silver plating is similar to silver, and it’s the most affordable option.
Be sure to avoid the colorful finishes of Mendini C flutes. They may look cool, but they make it clear your flute is cheap, and some teachers or band directors won’t allow colorful flutes in their ensembles.
Specs
You should also consider the various specs aside from the material. Beginners should look for closed holes, an offset G, and a C footjoint.
Those specs provide the least resistance, so you can focus on getting a sound out of your flute. When you’re ready to upgrade, you can look for a flute with open holes and a B footjoint.
Having a split E mechanism can also come in handy. You may not need it later, but it can help you work on getting a good sound on the third E as you learn to play the flute.
Playability
It won’t matter what specs your flute has if you can’t play it. Of course, it may take time for you to get a sound on the instrument if you’ve never played before.
However, if you have playing experience and struggle to get a sound, that flute isn’t for you. As a beginner, you can have a teacher or player test a flute for you to see if they can play it.
Then, you’ll be able to learn if a particular flute will be worth your time and money. If it’s not worth it, you can look at other models.
Sound
Even if you can play a flute, you may not want to choose it if you don’t like how it sounds. Because of materials and the manufacturing processes from different brands, not all flutes will sound exactly alike.
This is a good thing because it means flute players can find a model that suits them. However, it does make it harder to find a flute you like.
I don’t know any other flute player who plays on the same model as I do. We have different tastes, and our individual anatomy affects how we play and sound. If possible, try a few flutes yourself, including the Mendini, to find the right one.
Price
One of the areas where Mendini C flutes beat a lot of other brands is pricing. Mendini flutes are much cheaper than other student models, so you don’t need a huge budget to afford one.
Whether you’re looking specifically for a Mendini flute or any flute, you should consider how much money you have. Then, you can restrict your search to flutes in a certain price range.
Would I love to try an $84,000 platinum and gold flute? Sure, but I can’t afford that, so I’m not going to tempt myself with something outside of my budget. Neither should you.
Alternatives To Try
A Mendini C flute may be the best option for you at this point in your flute playing journey. But you should still give other models a try to know for sure that you’re making the right choice.
Since Mendini makes beginner-level flutes, I looked at other beginner models. I made sure to stick to models from reputable brands and that have similar specs.
While these other models cost more than a Mendini, I stuck with relatively affordable flutes. So compare the following models before you settle on your next flute.
Yamaha YFL-222
The Yamaha YFL-222 is one of the most popular student flutes. It features closed holes, a C footjoint, and an offset G key, all like the Mendini.
This model uses nickel with silver plating, so it’s not too expensive. And those materials make it durable, so you can put it through a lot without worrying about damaging it.
You can get a clear attack and an easy response, which can help you as you start to learn the flute. Intonation is also pretty consistent, so you don’t have to retune the flute throughout your practice.
Pros
- Good specs
- Easy to play
- Nice response
- Durable
- Affordable
Cons
- Counterfeits are common
Di Zhao 200
Another excellent beginner model to try is the Di Zhao 200. The flute is silver-plated, but you get a solid silver riser and lip plate to help get a bit of warmth in your tone.
You also get a C footjoint, closed holes, and an offset G key to make playing comfortable and easy. Di Zhao, who founded this flute company, previously worked on professional flutes, so this model has a professional feel.
However, it’s perfect for students and anyone who needs a good backup flute. The sound is excellent, and you can use it as you improve your playing.
Pros
- Great features
- Professional inspiration
- Suitable for students
- Comfortable
- Easy to play
Cons
- A bit expensive
Jupiter JFL710A
The Jupiter JFL710A is yet another amazing choice for beginner flute players. Silver plating covers the body and headjoint to help make it sound good and last a long time.
You can use the closed-hole keys to facilitate playing notes. Meanwhile, the offset G key is great if you have a short left-hand ring finger since it helps you reach the key.
Like other models, this one is great to use in a band or on your own. And it’s not as expensive as some other student-level instruments, so it’s nice if you have a small budget.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to play
- Comfortable
- Great specs
- Useful for students
Cons
- Not for advanced players
Gemeinhardt 2SP
If you want a flute from a company that focuses on student flutes, go with the Gemeinhardt 2SP. This flute is of excellent quality, and it has all of the standard beginner flute specs.
Along with Yamaha, this model is one of the most popular ones in beginning flute sections. The stainless steel springs stay in place and are easy to adjust to keep the flute in playing condition.
Professionals test the flute as they work on it to make sure it will work well. That makes it a low-risk option if you need to buy a flute without trying it first yourself.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great for students
- Durable
- Easy to play
- Nice specs
Cons
- Some quality control issues
Trevor James 10X
I played a Trevor James 10X for over a year when I was still new to the flute. It’s one of the best quality student model flutes you can find, though it is more expensive than the competition.
You can choose to get a straight headjoint, or you can also get a curved headjoint. The curve is nice for younger players or players with joint problems since it brings the flute closer to you.
This flute comes in a protective case, and the case has a zipper instead of latches. That way, you don’t have to worry about a latch breaking, causing your flute to fall out of the case.
Pros
- Great quality
- Easy to play
- Lasts a long time
- Different headjoint styles
- Durable case
Cons
- More expensive than other student flutes
FAQs About The Mendini C Flute Review And Guide
Answer: Mendini isn’t one of the best flute brands, but it’s not entirely bad. Flutes from Mendini can be useful for beginners who want to try the flute without spending a ton of money.
The brand is also useful for flute players who can’t afford to spend much more. You can get an instrument that works, and you can play while saving up money for an upgrade later on.
Answer: As mentioned, anyone without a ton of money should try a Mendini C flute. It can also be useful for flutists who need a backup model to play in a marching band or other outdoor performances.
Casual players may also find the Mendini flutes useful. If you only plan on playing the flute occasionally, you may not be able to justify spending more than a few hundred dollars on a flute, but Mendini is cheaper than that.
Answer: Advanced and professional players shouldn’t play a Mendini C flute. When you’ve played the flute for a while, you will find that any student flute will limit you, including Mendini models.
Even if you’re new to the flute, you may want to check out other options if you can afford them. Then, you can get a flute that will support you as you improve and not require an upgrade as soon.
Answer: I found at least a couple of different Mendini C flute listings, and they appear to be the same. The only differences I noticed were in the colors available and the accessories that come with the flute.
If you don’t need certain accessories, you can shop around for the Mendini model with the best price. Then, you can save money on your purchase, and you can always buy those accessories later.
Answer: The Mendini C flute is pretty on par with other cheap flutes you can find online. Because of their low prices, the flutes in this category don’t use the best materials or manufacturing processes.
These flutes can get you by if you want to start playing now or test it out. But sooner rather than later, you may need to spend more money on a better quality flute.
Answer: Some of the Mendini C flute listings let you choose from different colors, like silver, black, and pink. While it can be fun to buy a pink flute for pictures or just to have, it’s not the best color.
You should go with a silver or nickel model so that the flute looks good in a section in a band or orchestra. If you really want a colorful flute, you can get one but don’t expect to play it in an ensemble or other public settings.
Answer: To lower the price of Mendini flutes, the brand uses its own manufacturing process. However, other brands may have more comprehensive processes, and some brands go through rigorous testing before selling a flute.
More expensive brands also tend to hire flute specialists to produce the instruments. The materials, labor, and process all cost more money, and that leads to an increase in price for the buyer.
Answer: A Mendini flute may last a while if you take good care of it. However, some flute technicians will refuse to work on it because of its low value.
Most repairs will cost more than how much the flute is worth, so you may need to buy a new flute if your Mendini breaks. So be sure to be extra careful with it if you want to get the most use out of it.
Final Note On The Mendini C Flute Review And Guide
When shopping for a flute, you should consider a good Mendini C flute review and guide. While the brand isn’t the most well-known, it does have a purpose for some beginners.
Be sure to take good care of it to make it last longer, and save up for an upgrade. Then, you can enjoy your Mendini flute while it lasts.
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