well, if you are looking at an intermediate flute -- or good quality upgrade, you can have a look at much better flutes: Altus, Muramatsu, Sankyo etc. including the ones other people recommended... But I think it`s better to try as many different models as you can, so you know which model suit your daughter better.

I think Altus is really one of the best flute makers in the world... but they pretty pricey, though they can last more than 5 years!!! *well if you look after it lol

You should buy flutes with silver head or the whole thing silver. Doesn`t really make any differences between silver keywork and silver plated keywork - it won`t affect the tones. You daughter has played for quite long, so DON`T TRY TO BUY A SILVER PLATED FLUTE FOR HER, it won`t improve the tone. I think she is readied to use a flute with B foot, although the low B isn`t used frequently in musics, but the good thing is that it flattens the higher notes slightly, which is GOOd~ I used to have problem with the high register, because they are always sharp when I play it...

Hope this can help,
Good Luck

Thanks for all of the relpies. I am not sure if we are going to keep the Yamaha because I think she will be better off with the offset G. Which model should we consider under $2000.00 and where is the best place to buy? Thanks again.

shane

Take a look at wwwbw.com and fluteworld.com

I`ve heard nice things about the Haynes Amadeus and Altus Apprenti models. Both are similar in theory to Powell`s Sonare line. The Apprenti can be hard to find and needs to come through a distributor like these:
http://www.altusflutes.com/altus_dealers.html

Here`s the link for the Amadeus:
http://www.amadeusflutes.com/

Also, Miyazawa has the Lyric flute:
http://www.miyazawa.com/lyric_home.htm

Thanks for the suggestions. The Emerson looks nice and it is made in America, the Jupiter looks to be made in Taiwan. It is not a big deal as long as the quality is good.

shane

Shane, Have your daughter try these flutes, I have a student who has a good Emerson flute, but it is very heavy