I am a high school student who wants to minor in music. I am definatly getting a new flute because my Gemeinhard 3osb has taken me as far as it can,and the repairs it needs will cost more than the flute does now. I am either getting the yamaha 481, 584, or 684. I am hesitant to get the 584 because it isnt solid silver throughout. This is the last flute my parents are going to buy for me and I want to make sure I make the right choice. Will I need more than the 481 in colledge if I plan on playing? Is the 684 more than I will need in and after colledge? I have talked to my teacher but I need outside opinions too.
thanks!

As long as you don't mind having an in line G then I would go for the 684, though the other Yamahas would most likely will get you through college. The main difference between the 400 series and the 500 and up is that it comes with the standard CY head where as the 500 and ups come with an EC which most people prefer.

Have you considered any other brand or is your mind made up just on the Yamaha?

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In my opinon the 684 should serve you just fine through and after college if it is going to be your minor.

I also am looking to buy a new flute. My Gemeinhardt is 20 years old and I love it, but I want to go to an open hole model. Is there one that is good but a resonable price? I don't play regularly and certainly not for a living, but I do play from time to time at church.

Is there any specific reason why you would like to go to an open hole model?

Ghads, when did Yamaha start producing the 500 series with plated bodies?

When looking for "solid silver throughout" ...
Actually at that level of Yamaha (481, 584, or 684) none of them have solid silver keys and for me the plated keys seem to wear out faster. I would mention that a silver body tube vs. plated should have no effect on the sound. It may be that the plated flute is more resistant to the inevitable dents.
As an inteded flute minor you may want to talk to your future college professor as one important source. As a flutist, there is no such thing as that "last flute".
I would tend to agree with Kara in that you should be happy with the 684 for the sound and the durability.

I just want one (an open hole)... Is there a reason I shouldn't get one? Kara, I have been reading your other posts and I think you know a lot about flutes so I would really love your opinion.

The only reason not to get an open hole flute is that in your current situation as a musician, they'll serve no purpose. They have no effect on sound or any other property of the flute, and can only be used for extended effects, pitch shading, and some notes into the 4th octave. The vast majority of players have absolutely no use for them, but buy open hole flutes as a fashion statement. As someone who does not play regularly, odds are you won't need to perform contemporary repertoire that calls for having open holes, so you may as well save the money it would cost to buy a new flute. If you're happy with your current flute with the exception that it has plateau keys, there's no reason to go flute shopping. Spend that money for maintainance or sheet music instead.

acm, I only asked because of what flutist06 just explained above. There are really nice used handmade flutes to be had for almost half of the cost because they have closed holes, which is pretty rediculous. I like the feel of the open holes under my fingers personally but because of hand problems and for just plain comfort I do plug them up from time to time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting an open hole flute, so I say go for it. It is always fun getting a new flute.

thanks everyone for your input. I ordered by 684h w/ gold plated lip plate today (only b/c it didnt cost more money to have it) I think it will be ther perfect match for me!

May I ask what made you decide to switch to an in line G flute?

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Oh and...Congrats on your new purchase. :)

Thanks, im very excited ! I went to my lesson and my teacher said that my fingers/ hands were the right size for offset g so I went for the offset g!!

If you wanted the offset G then you needed to order the 674 model. The 684 has an in line G.

im sorry! i didnt mean to write offset g! i dont know why I did that. I have long enough fingers for the inlineg is what I meant. I got the flute thursday! its great~

I am a bit confused as to why your teacher would have you go to an inline G flute after playing on an offset. My fingers are long enough for an in line also like many others, but I play an offset also like many prefer because it is more of the natural position for the hand to be in, not to mention a LOT more comfortable too. Some people have mentioned before on here that they have longer fingers and actually find the in line G more comfortable, but that is not very common from what I have seen and heard.

My fingers are long enough for the inline G, and not just because they 'reach' the g key. The inline G puts MY hand in a more comfortable, natural position. If I play an offset-G flute with open holes, my G-finger will get a cramp.

I find gloves difficult to buy unless they are elastic, normally gloves are too short in the fingers and too wide across the hand. Most mens' gloves are long enough in the fingers but waaaaay too big across the hand.

Incidentally, I have to plug the E and Eb keys for my right hand, because with my hand positioned for F and D#, the other two fingers overshoot the keys. I can play with open holes on these keys, and have 'proper' hand position, but it will interfere with technique/speed and eventually give me a cramp.
Most people can play an open hole flute, and an inline G flute, but the offset G does, as Kara states, put most people's left hand in a more ergonomic position.

John Lunn made flutes with the footjoint levers (D#, C#, C and low B if a B-foot) in an offset cluster that looks to me like it would be worlds more playable than the standard setup. He also made flutes with key extensions for people with really small hands (Jean Baxtresser, for instance).

You should be able to close (and open, for G# and D#) keys with a light, quick touch and without hand pain after a long practice session. For those who don't usually play more than 1/2 hour at a time, special accomodations may not be needed. For those of us who dedicate more time to practice and playing, it can help your technique to adapt your flute to your personal hand conformation, whether that means changing to an offset G flute, adding a hand saddle, or simply plugging a couple of open-hole keys. If you look at the instruments of some of the more accomplished flutists, you will often find some small adaptations to make playing a more ergonomic activity.