as this forum as demonstrated, there is little agreement on which flute is best, at any level. However, certain brands have a good reputation for a reason. I drive a Toyota because I am sold on their reliabilty, they earned it.

You generally get what you pay for in a student flute.

Set a budget, and take the time to try several, preferably blindfolded

Dang Lera!! Remind me never to stand by you if you get mad at your instrument. Lol!!

OUCH!!! When I see instruments being thrown or dropped, I feel like someone just crunched the bones in my fingers and made my heart stop! Those last few posts just made my fingers curl!!! I can see getting mad, but don't throw your parters! (Unless you are a dancer or ice skater! )

I fully agree that you get what you pay for in MOST cases. Once in a while you will find a real beauty out there for cheap, but, in general, if you are going to a music store and not shopping second-hand, beware!!! I have to give my own personal opinion that a Yamaha, Armstrong, or an Emerson is the best for a beginner. I started on an Artley, but I have not seen too many of those around lately!

Whatever you choose, good luck! It's the person, and not the instrument, that chooses what music they will add to the world! The instrument is the tool to self-expression! Pick a partner wisely!

Lera, who was your teacher? Pete Townshend?

Wow, Andrew! You are one of the handful of people I have ever met that agrees with me!!! Why would people treat their instruments like that. I know that not everyone is a serious player, and I can understand if someone has an accident, but mistreating a musical instrument is just... it is like the sound of nails on a chalkboard! AHH! I occasionally suggest to one of my fellow flutists to not put their instrument on the floor during break, but they laugh when I take my instrument with me to get water while their instruments get stepped on. And then we have to waste time because one of the professors needs to do a quick fix if they broke something... ouch.
Please be kind to your instruments! *smile* (I do have to admit that I did drop my foot-joint on the floor once; it was kind of an accident, but I was having such a bad day that I didn't try very hard to catch it. No damage, thank goodness, but it wasn't my D.C! This happened when I was just beginning. I suppose I can understand beginners getting mad, but it isn't the instruments fault. If you're mad, just rip up a sheet of paper (not music!) or bite on a pencil or something...)

I feel the same way. It irritates me to see instruments mistreated. I suppose that is why I feel so strongly about the whole debate of "should I get my kid a $5,000.00 flute to play on?"

Granted, there are the exceptions that treat their flute like gold and are very responsible. Less, then not though. Sad...