Hi, I'm a beginning flute player (1 year), and currently rent a Yamaha 211. I intend to buy myself a flute in the next few months, and I'm really wondering what to get. I would like a flute to last me indefinitely, yet I'm unlikely to ever join a major orchestra, so a Powell or Muramatsu is not really necessary. About the only major manufacturer of advanced student flutes that I've only heard good things about has been Yamaha, but it seems as though EVERYONE gets a Yamaha! I'd like something different. Pearl looks nice (the 525 or 665), and is available with a B footjoint, likewise the Jupiter 811, but I've read some very bad reviews on both.
Has anyone tried an "AZUMI", apparently these are student flutes designed by Altus, and come with a silver lip-plate. I don't know if they're on the market in the States, but they're widely available in Europe. I'm torn between the Azumi and a Yamaha 271 SL, they cost about the same, or maybe the 371 H, but that's half again as expensive.
I'd be grateful for any ideas or suggestions. Thanks!

I haven't tried or heard much about the AZUMI line yet. The best thing you can do is try the brands out back to back to see what works best for you. When it comes to non professional flutes, I am not a huge fan of much of anything but Yamaha.

Have you looked in to the Amadeus brand made by Haynes? I have been wondering what those are like. I know you said you didn't want anything like a Powell, but Powell does make a pre professional flute (in which I think plays almost exactly like the conservatory) which is called the Powell Signature.
I think that if you are looking for a flute to last for the rest of your playing days then you would be better off buying something like one of these.

A lot of top professional makers are now offering more pre pro models that are more affordable which I think is wonderful. They put adjustment screws on them a it knocks down the price a quite a bit. They are also said to be more machine made which I don't think means that this is bad in any way. After all, machines can be more precise then the human hand if you really think about it.

Well I havent played a pearl brand flute but i have many others...i currently own a Yamaha, Gemeinhardt,Sky,Maximus,And another and i advise you not to buy a Sky what ever you do...They are one of the cheapest brands out there and my sisters broke within one year of owning it. The cheapest brands are the flutes with nice cases which they probably don't pay a penny for. My friend i play with has a pearl i think and its a beautiful flute also...it plays very nicely.

I have never heard of an Azumi Flute. Most brands that arent well known arent very great...thats only in my expirence though. A couple months back i was looking at a pearl flute with the lined e keys and low b foot...i advise you to get an open hole if possible...you will most likely go further on one with open hole. Well thats all the adivice i have actually.

Mandy

A couple months back i was looking at a pearl flute with the lined e keys and low b foot...

Do you mean an in line G? I agree with you that a lot of the no name brands that aren't heard of will not be good, but in this case, the Azumi is made by Altus, it is being sold at Flute World, has a website and it not a cheapo off of ebay. The price tag on it is usually a good indication too.

So you recommend an open hole flute? why? Remember, open hole does not equal a better flute.

Thanks for the tip about the Haynes/Amadeus flutes. They look pretty impressive, it seems as though more and more quality manufacturers are looking at the lower end of the market: Powell/Sonare, Altus/Azumi, Haynes/Amadeus. All high quality semi-professional heads (as far as I can tell), with the body and foot made in China, so I'm really curious about the quality of the mechanism. The Sonares are also really expensive here, the same model that costs $1000 in the States, will cost the equivalent of about $1700 in Europe (specifically the Netherlands). I haven't seen the Amadeus for sale here in Europe yet, I'll have to shop around I guess, but I'm curious what the price will be. Azumi and Yamaha seem to cost about the same in Europe or the US.
I'm really doubting whether to get one of the above mentioned, or opting for a basic model Yamaha, and then maybe upgrading the head a couple of years down the line.
I'd like to go for open-hole, also because my teacher recommends trying open-hole, as I have good finger control (or so she says). Ofset-G, but I'd like to try an inline sometime just to see how it feels, E-Mechanism 'cause I'm used to one, and preferably a B-foot, not that I particularly need it, but it's nice to have the option.
Ultimately I guess it comes down to trying them out, and to how much money I can spend before my wife has a fit!