Among all the instruments on display, only one caught my attention. I was thirteen at the time and, naturally, my eye was drawn to the brightest of the group. I had never heard the sound of a flute before, other than the cheap imitation of a flute on my family's electronic keyboard. Nonetheless, I chose the pretty, shiny, easy-to-carry flute on that first day of orchestra lessons. Three years later, I can't imagine playing anything else. What started as blind luck and an attraction to shiny objects has become part of my life. Playing an instrument is always a profitable investment; you develop a skill that many people wish they had, you get the opportunity to meet other musicians, and you even get to travel as part of a band. But to reap the benefits, you must first learn how to play. Whether you choose the flute as your instrument of choice because it produces your favorite sound, it seems easier to carry than a tuba, or simply because it's shiny, you need to decide how to buy. There are a variety of reputable brands to choose from, but not all of them make high-quality, durable flutes. It will be tempting to opt for a cheaper model, but in many cases you will sacrifice quality. Making a single instrument requires a surprising amount of engineering. Each hole must be placed precisely, otherwise the tone is distorted. Often, cheaper flutes skip engineering steps or are made with poor quality materials that bend or break too easily (Duncan). While you shouldn't compromise on price for a good brand, beginner flautists can get away with buying a student flute. Student flutes differ from professional flutes in that professional flutes are open-hole. Rather than having this...... middle of paper...... pitch, and embouchure. It's simply mastering these three principles that takes practice and patience. The reward is understanding how to play what is, in my opinion, the most beautiful band instrument. The enemy is discouragement. Yet, as Amy Duncan, my unintentionally inspiring group educational director, would say, “Every wrong note you play is behind you.” Music is in time and time never stops. It's still moving forward. » Works Cited Duncan, Amy. Personal interview. September 15, 2011. Estrella, Espie. “Parts of the Flute”. About.com. About.com, 2011. Web. September 8, 2011. Fingering and acoustics diagram. nd Diagram. University of New South Wales, Faculty of Science. Academic Press, 2001. Web. September 13, 2011. Garner, Bradley. “The mouthpiece of the flute.” Texas Music Conductors Association. Texas Music Conductors Association, 2007. Web. September 8. 2011.