Hello everyone~

I have no experience in flute but I'm planning to purchase a Yamaha flute for my cousin. I'm stuck with 3 choices; Yamaha 311, 361 & 385.

She's playing a Yamaha 221 thus decided to get one of the same brand that she's comfortable with... But if there's other options, please do give but something not too expensive ^^;

Thank you!!!!!!

It really depends on what the person wants that will be playing it. Do they want to stick with a closed hole flute, or an open hole. If they are already playing on a 211 then the only really difference with the 300 series is that it has a solid silver headjoint on it and that the 365 and 385 have open holes. Do they want a C foot or B foot? The 311 is the same model as the 211 except that it has a solid silver head. Unless this persons flute is in really bad shape, then it wouldn't be much of an upgrade. You would be better off just purchasing a solid silver head for the one they have already.

Thanks Kara for the reply!!!!!

My, I didn't know there's open/closed hole and different foot... Actually wanted to get a flute as a surprise for her, it seems I have think twice.

If I'm not wrong, the flute that she has is quite decent standard? I read a particular post saying those from (yamaha) 300 series are for intermediate levels...
So it seems if I were to help her get an upgrade, it would be those from the 400 series?

Thanks!!!! (and thanks again Kara for the reply!)

Yes, I agree with that Micron. I don't really care for the EC headjoint myself, but a lot of students do because of it's nice clear sound. Even a CY headjont would be a nice upgrade and you can usually find them cheaper then the EC.

I think that my 211 student flute with my Powell heajoint plays just as nice as some of the handmade top of the line model flutes that I have tried. The mechanism may not be as fast when compared to them, but the sound is awesome!