I understand the controversy involved with this topic (not my interest), but my question is far more basic. Assuming Madison was a flautist and this wasn't just a gift, was he okay, good or considered to be accomplished in the playing of the instrument?
I expect this may get sent to the Short Answers thread, but: James Madison did not play the flute, the gift was just symbolic. There has been research done on presidential musical abilities by Sam Semsel of Lafayette College; her findings specifically mention that the Laurent flute was just a gift.