Hi!

I am hoping to start learning the flute in a few months and was just wondering which models are good? I have looked on various sites etc but there are so many variables and the prices vary a lot too!

What should I look for when looking at brochures? At the moment none of it means anything to me!

Many thanks!

HI i play a pearl flute pf-501 it was 379.00 i think it may have been reduced as it was end of line it has a nice tone so i am told by others

if you can try and take someone who plays flutes along also ask in the shop if they can just play a quick scale on both i was keen on another flute which was slightly cheaper until i heard the difference

there are lots of very knowledgeable flute players on here who know lots more than me

good luck enjoy your flute

What you need is a student flute, preferably silver-plated, closed hole, with a split E mechanism and offset G. Prices in the UK range from around £260-£400 for this sort of model - I'm not sure about the Rep of Ireland, but you can import from the UK I'm sure.

I've written a document based on my afternoon's testing at JustFlutes; please pm me if you would like a copy.

I would recommend the Yamaha 211
Yamaha is a good brand to look out for for flutes.

The Yamaha 211 will probably what most people will recomend. I started on a Jupiter 511 which i really liked, i liked it a lot more than the Yamaha but thats just a personal opinion.

You should probably try to try out a few flutes to find the one that you like the most.

Good Luck!!!

You were in just flutes today? I was going to go today but then made other plans and am going in tomorrow instead!

No - this was my afternoon during half-term. My answer wasn't very clear! Enjoy tomorrow.

Thanks for your very helpful advice!

I'm getting quite excited now...have wanted to learn the flute since I was a kid!

If I can just pass this pesky piano dip....

I bought one on ebay recently: slightly over £100

Hadn't thought of that. Have registered and am watching a Yamaha 211 with interest! Thanks Robodoc

Be careful with ebay. Go for new rather than second hand if you can. I know people who have received some 'dodgy' stuff; just be so careful. You can get good bargains on ebay though!

That's the only thing I would be worried about, and I wouldn't know if there was anything wrong with it until it was far too late!

I am edging towards the Pearl PF 505E if I get a brand new flute as it is getting very good write-ups and it a good deal cheaper than the Yamaha, €539 v. €461...will continue head scratching.

Thanks for all the help guys! Keep any pearls of wisdom (harhar!) coming my way!

look at www.musicalinstrumentsales.co.uk they are really good, a succesfully bought my second flute from their - a yamaha 311ii for a very reasonable price and they are reliable with photos and phone numbers.

Hello!

Just thought I would let you know that I have just ordered my Pearl PF505e flute and it should be with me within the week!

Many thanks for all your help in deciding which instrument and for useful tips on webpages to look at! I'm really looking forward to getting going...even got a gig bag for free with the flute! (got to love thomann)

Thanks again

Great! Can't wait to hear how you get on!