I have a cheap 2nd hand flute (yes, scold me if you want but it was all I could afford) and was wondering if it might need adjustment. I`m teaching myself to play as an adult after a few lessons I had as a kid.

Anyway, the problem is that the lowest notes (e.g. the D and C) are breathy, quiet and difficult to get. Would a good service fix this or is this just a problem with cheap flutes? Am I just a crapper player than I thought I was? I can reach these notes beautifully on the brand new yamahas in the shops.

Thank you to anyone who can help.

I would have it looked at. It sounds like your pads aren`t seating properly. On the cheapos the tone holes are not leveled a lot of times, so this could be another problem. You may take it in and it will cost you more money to have it fixed then what you paid for it. Hopefully it doesn`t, but you might concider looking into a good name brand flute with a good reputation.

IF you can play another flute well, then the problem is the flute.

If pads leak, then even a $40000 flute would have this problem.

Yes, it can be improved a lot, even if it is a low quality flute, but the price will depend on the particular cause. It could take as little as 20 seconds, or as long as several hours to correct.

Discuss it with a technician - a GOOD one! (Ask around experienced players and teachers... Some technicians do more harm than good; some charge a heap for hardly knowing what they are doing.)

It could need anything from a minor adjustment to a complete repad. (You said it was used, right?) You`ve definitely got some leaks there which will cause you problems when you get down to the lower stack and foot joint. Take it to a local shop & have them check it out for you. I personally offer free estimates and I`m sure I`m not the only one to do so.
Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your advice. I know I shouldn`t buy such a cheap one but it`ll do for now.

I`m in Belfast, Northern Ireland if there are any techs out there near here you can recommend.