In June '06 I decided to get an alto flute. Why an alto flute - especially when I already have several other flutes? First, because I like different flutes. The alto is perfect for jam sessions where a concert flute overwhelms the group but a bass doesn't project enough. Second, because the alto flute is in the key of G, which is only 2 half steps from F, which is the key of English Horn. This makes it easy to transcript English Horn parts to Alto Flute for the local Sinfonia. For example we're playing Saint Seans Symphony #3 this fall and I'm playing the English Horn part on the Alto. Oh, and there are also wonderful duets and flute choir works including alto flute.

I chose 2 alto flutes from 2 manufacturers and had them sent to me via mail from Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company They have excellent service and know flutes inside and out. They also have prices that are competitive with discount internet musical instrument superstores like WWBW.

The first flute was a Jupter 517SE for which I paid $1389. The second was an Sonare AF50 with the solid silver Powell headjoint at $1498.50. Both had a C foot (well, actually a "G" foot).

Ergonomics: The Sonare puts the left hand closer to the body. This is more comfortable and also balances the flute better. But the Sonare requires more precision in left hand fingering. The keys are closer together which makes fingers more likely to inadvertendly hit adjacent keys. This is not a big deal though, really just a symptom of switching back and forth between the two flutes, because one would quickly adjust to whichever flute he owned. Both require the same reach with the right hand.

Keywork: The Jupiter keywork is smoother, quieter, simpler and more robust. The Sonare has a couple of keys that tend to bind while playing. The Sonare keywork is noisier, which is noticeable in fast, quiet passages.

Tone: Both instruments sound similar, but not the same. The Sonare has more edge to the sound, more projection and a louder bottom octave (note: its bass is louder, but not fatter). At first I found the Sonare tone preferable. But within 10 minutes the edge started to become annoying and an hour or so later actually started to give me a headache. Both have wide dynamics that are easy to achieve. The Jupiter has a smoother sound with slightly less projection but seems more velvety and resonant. As I played I thought to myself, "Which of these sounds do I want to project in sinfonia or in flute choir?" That depends. The Sonare tone is more suited for a solo piece while the Jupiter would blend better with a group. In a blind listening comparison my wife commented they sound virtually identical and did not think anyone in the audience would hear the difference. But she added that the Sonare sounded "higher" even though I was playing the same notes. I inferred this as a reference to the edge in the Sonare's tone - more high frequency harmonics.

Voice: The Jupiter's voice is more consistent throughout its range. From bass to highs it maintains the same character. The Sonare's voice is louder in the bottom, edgier in the mids and squeakier in the top octave. With both flutes, a few notes in the top octave voice differently from the others. But the Sonare has this effect more than the Jupiter. The Jupiter's voice is fatter, smoother and resonant even though it doesn't project quite as loud as the Sonare.

Facility: The Jupiter is easier and more forgiving to play. Exercises with wide intervals - for example the series of double octave leaps in Berbiguer #2 - are easier and more predictable on the Jupiter. This would inspire greater confidence during performance.

Intonation: Both have excellent intonation throughout the entire range. Both appear to use a Cooper scale (or something close to it).

Fit, Finish & Build Quality: Both are beautiful instruments having a high quality finish with no blemishes, nicks, etc. Both had very light scratches inside their bores. The Sonare keywork is less robust and it has a couple of "sticky" keys that don't return properly while other keys are pressed. Both have perfectly fitted tenons, both the heads and the foots. The Jupiter did not come with a cleaning rod. The Sonare did come with a wooden rod. Both have french style inner cases with a surrounding cordura type zipper bag.

Other comments: The Sonare's headjoint is made by Powell. Compared to the Jupiter, it has a significantly taller riser made of solid silver. This taller riser suggests higher resistance and greater projection with more "sparkle" or "buzz", all of which I observed while playing. Both have squarish embouchure holes with rounded corners (as opposed to elliptical holes) , both of similar size. The Sonare's appears to have a more exaggerated undercut.

Summary:
Jupiter:
Good Stuff:
Forgiving and predictable to blow: easier to play and more confidence inspiring during performance.
Smooth, quiet robust keywork.
Smooth velvety resonant tone with consistent voicing throughout its range.

Bad Stuff:
Left hand is further from body, which is less comfortable and less stable.
Bottom octave is resonant but doesn't boom out quite as loud as Sonare.

Sonare:
Good Stuff:
Powerful, projecting sound and loud bottom octave good for solo playing.
Left hand position is more ergonomic.

Bad Stuff:
Less forgiving to blow, especially in top octave.
Keywork is noisier and less robust.
Voicing is not as consistent as the Jupiter throughout its range; top octave is a bit squeaky.

Overall:

Both flutes cost about the same ($1400 for the Jupiter, $1500 for the Sonare). Both of these are budget instruments. Compared to professional instruments, their main limitation seems to be tone quality or voicing of the top register. Both get a tad squeaky up there, the Sonare moreso than the Jupiter. But the Jupiter's top octave is at least acceptable sounding while the mid and bass are quite good. Overall, the Jupiter is an incredible value for the money. I've played a professional alto flute worth 4-5 times the price of the Jupiter yet the differences are smaller than I expected. Mainly, it had a better tone which stayed nice all the way into the top octave. Is that worth 4-5 times the price? Sure - if you're a professional and alto is your primary instrument. For an amateur like me? Not even close - the Jupiter is my flute.