A friend's teaching me to play the flute for a grade 1 challenge. I'm looking to buy a very cheap flute costing around ?100 (then maybe upgrade later). Can anyone recommend some models and give me advice on what to look for?

I would say go for a second hand one of a decent make rather than a cheap new one.

, and take your friend to a flute shop to help you out if possible.

For ?100 you are going to struggle unless buying something on ebay from an unknown seller, second hand. It may be perfect but you run the risk of it needing extensive repairs!

Look for - Yamaha 211 / 221 / F100 / 225 etc. (will be more than ?100 though), Trevor James TJ10X ii or TJ10X iii (don't buy just a TJ10X as they are getting on in age and will most likely be trouble) or a Jupiter 511.

Just Flutes do their own make of beginner flute which is about 200GBP. John Packers also do their own which I think is about 120GBP - I've tried that before and found it excellent.

I find the Jinyin gold plated one to be quite OK and it won't be much more than the budget quoted.

Liz

The Vivace flutes (Trevor James' budget version) are also reasonable as a starting instrument. They have a nice tone and are well balanced, but the articulation isn't quite as crisp as on better flutes so I wouldn't recommend it above grade 5 or so.

The newer Pearl flutes are really nice, so it would be worth keeping an eye out for a secondhand Pearl 505 or 525.