I having been playing my yamaha 281 for 5, going on 6 years. Lately it takes more effort to hit the keys. It has gotten to the point that my rught hand gets worn out after about 30 minutes. I feel so dumb for saying this but I haven't got my flute looked at since I got it. SO here is my question. Is my flute too old to get cleaned up and if it is what kind should i get, a COA or overhaul or should i just get a new one. Keep in mind that this is also a marching flute.

Micron is exactly right- what you should get is a competent technician. He/she will be able to tell you what is, or isn't fixable, and what it will cost.
Your thumb shouldn't be worn out- the keys should close and seal with light finger pressure. A pad leak can 'train' you to press harder on that particular key, which is hard on the adjustments and the pad. You may continue to press too hard even after the leak is fixed, which is hard on the flute.

As for a new flute, wait until you hear back about your current one.

im sorry but this is really out of subject becuse i dont know how to start a new thread...i was just wondering about soild sliver head joint V.S sliver plated head joint.
my flute teacher told me that the more sliver the better the sound quality.

There is a search box on the top of the page that will help. This has been discussed several times before on here. Same goes for you last question.

you're in marching band? were if you don't mind me asking?

what matters is how good you are, not the material..a lousy flute player won't sound good on a gold flute...

take it to a shop to have it looked at.
the pad proably need replacing as well as other adjustments

if it makes you feel any better, my flute was bought in 2004 and its only had 1 adjustment and that was to fix a C# key leak.

and that was 2 weeks after i bought the darn thing!

aw, being broke is fun.

thanks for info

actually Suzie, I agree with you, you are actually making my point, and that is exactly what I tell my students, make that piece of plumbing you are playing now sound beautiful, and you will sound magnificent on a superior flute made of the best materials..

what I meant to say, is that a flute of better material won't make you a better player, only practice will do that...