ok, so i hope to major in music education with minor in performance and also composition... and i was wondering what style flute do most college students play? do they tend to be more on the pro side, or more on the intermediate side? would something like a sonare or Amadeus be good? or do i need something a bit more of a flute like a cantible pearl or sankyo? college students, what are you playing on? what are the first chairs in your band playing on?

I have a solid silver sankyo body and a 10 K gold Lillian Burkart Headjoint.

the resona line is really popular where I go, and there are alot of Miyazawas.

Miyazawa. I am 1st chair. Go with a heavy wall Miyazawa 402/602 with sterling silver head and platinum riser. They're a lot better than many more expensive instruments and they will last you a long time. Good luck!

And never buy an intermediate. They're basically beginning flutes with a few bells and whistles. Don't waste money, and a pro is less than $1000 more. Save up, and it will be an extremely rewarding investment.

I'm a Yamaha player. The number one player in my ensemble (granted, it's the lowest, but my flute studio is highly competitive, relatively) plays on a Yamaha. The other two ensembles play Pearl. I would suggest going in and trying these flutes in anyway you can, because just because they are the "best" for someone, does not mean it will be the best for you.

I prefer Sankyo, actually I prefer the RT-3 headjoint which I was lucky to get one of (I don´t know if it is possible to buy another anywhere). I don´t play in a band for the moment.

You're making a major commitment to the Flute. Teaching and playing will be your lifeblood forever. You should get the best flute you can possibly afford. Note that "best" does not always mean "most expensive". But there's a pretty strong correlation between cost and quality. The last thing you want is to be limited by a flute that you don't passionately love, and doesn't do exactly what you need it to do.

Please note - not a professional flutist, so my advice should be taken with a grain of salt. But it's the same advice I'd given to anybody who depends on high-end equipment for their livelihood.

Watcher, your comment could be applied to any matter, and I could not agree more with you.

thanks guys, i have narrowed it to two main ones.. i was at a convention trying them out but i will be going to a major flute store to try out alot soon.. the two main ones i have liked are the powell aurumite9kand the miyazawa 202 heavy wall with 14k riser and mz6 headjoint. i know there so far away from each other in price... so idk.. i need to go try out more then the 15 or so i tried at the convention. but i will probably end up with one of those or similar.