New Comer Needs Help!, Tips to start playing Options

[rozie]

Hello

I am really keen to start playing the flute but have no idea about anything really. I have been looking to buy a yamaha 211, is this good to start on? Is £170 good for a secondhand one? It's a 211 SII whatever that means and comes with a music stand and a couple of books.

Was thinking of getting it serviced before I start too, any idea's on cost?

AND......looking maybe for a teacher in Maidstone area....any recommendations?

Thank you! :)

[nicki_flute]

Yamaha 211 is a good starter flute and £170 is a good price, I sold my 2nd hand Yamaha 211 for £200, and they can go for more. Getting it serviced is a good idea, but it could cost about £50 (it does in my area). For a music teacher, ask in your school - see if you could have lessons there, ask in music shops. :) Hope this helps.

[rozie]

Yamaha 211 is a good starter flute and £170 is a good price, I sold my 2nd hand Yamaha 211 for £200, and they can go for more. Getting it serviced is a good idea, but it could cost about £50 (it does in my area). For a music teacher, ask in your school - see if you could have lessons there, ask in music shops. :) Hope this helps.

I don't go to school, I guess I am what you would call a 'mature student' (sad to admit it lol). what is the average price for lessons? I was thinking of teaching myself but very wary. Had lessons for about 2 months before I left New Zealand. Lessons on hire flute and over 2yrs ago now.

[nicki_flute]

Sorry for the assumptions.
Well, in that case look in music shops, they should know a lot of flute teachers.
Lesson prices vary depending on teacher, amount of time, where you live.
Where do you live now?
At least you have had lessons before, it will make coming back to learning easier.
Welcome to the forums by the way :)

[Andy-piano-flute]

As Nicki-flute has just said, Hi and welcome to the forums. Nice to meet another mature person playing the flute. I'd agree Yamaha 211 is a good student flute. Looking forward to seeing you around the forums :)

[woodwind]

Can I be the third person to welcome you to the Forums? :)

I'd agree that £170 seems a good price for a secondhand 211. I've never played a Yamaha but they have an excellent reputation for student flutes. I'm not sure but I think the S in 211S means that it's silver-plated. As Nicki said, try your local music shop for a teacher. They should be able to recommend someone. The cost of lessons varies from place to place but, as a rough guide, I pay £10 for a 30 minute clarinet lesson.

Good luck with the flute and have fun learning.

[sarah-flute]

welcome!

I sold my yammy 211N (the nickel one, not even silver plated!) for £200 about 8 years ago... however I would suggest you look it over or better still have a flute tech or teacher look it over to make sure it isn't going cheap because it's falling apart! besides that, it sounds like a good price.

[rozie]

Thanks for all the welcomes :)

[nicki_flute]

Not at all a problem :)

[rozie]

Just posted another topic but could have just replied to this one.... Have found a 225SII for £170 but not sure if better to stick with the 211????

The 225 is open holed but comes with grommets??? to block. G keys are also in line...is this good for a beginner or harder? :huh:

[Andy-piano-flute]

Inline G - depends on whether it's comfortable for you - I've got long fingers but never felt very comfortable playing an open holed flute with inline G. If it has inline G it won't have a split E mechanism - which means that when you start playing E3 you might find it difficult initially to keep up the air speed & support for the note so that it doesn't split. But having a split E makes other things more difficult (some trills I think - andante will put you right on that ).
The plugs will effectively make it closed hole - open holed encourages you to put your fingers in the right place - if you don't you don't get the note!
I think it's a personal thing -it's not that one flute is the right sort for everyone

[rozie]

Inline G - depends on whether it's comfortable for you - I've got long fingers but never felt very comfortable playing an open holed flute with inline G. If it has inline G it won't have a split E mechanism - which means that when you start playing E3 you might find it difficult initially to keep up the air speed & support for the note so that it doesn't split. But having a split E makes other things more difficult (some trills I think - andante will put you right on that ).
The plugs will effectively make it closed hole - open holed encourages you to put your fingers in the right place - if you don't you don't get the note!
I think it's a personal thing -it's not that one flute is the right sort for everyone

Yeah that was what I was thinking and that although the 225SII seems like more for your money I thought I might be better to start on the studet flute that so many have 221. Will see what it's like on Saturday.

Think I have found a teacher too, I am in Maidstone Kent, she is trying to fit me in which I guess is a good sign if she has that many students :)

[Andy-piano-flute]

Looking forward to hearing how it goes :)

[andante_in_c]

I don't need to add anything to Andy's post, she's advised you very well. :)

[rozie]

Yeeha I got the flute and can make a noise and everything!!! So excited, it's like I'm 5 again! :lol: :lol: :lol: