hey guys-
im a 14 year old going into high school and i need a new flute. Ive been playing for 8 years on a yamaha (closed hole c foot silver plated). i have a budget of about $2500. any suggestions?

The Forum is rather slow these days,I suppose because of the holidays season. In other moment you would receive many answers (though sometimes a little contradictory).

I can only tell about my recent experience. For about 2,400$ I bought a Yamaha YFL674 at Flute World. Iam very happy with it and recently I had it checked by a first rang professional (a flute soloist of one important orchestra). He said the instrument is very good and "that I have an instrument for many years"

Now, it depends on how and where you will be using your flute. For what I have heard (or read) in this Forum, young flutist in high school bands sometimes submit their instruments to, say, heavy (I don't want to say "rough") use.

If this could be your case, with less than that money you could buy something sturdier than a all silver thin wall instrument as the YFLs 5xxx or 6xxx.

Micron, JoeB and Bilbo and many others active members of the Forum could give you a more founded opinion, but many seem to be absent these days. If you cannot get a convincing answer right now, it could be better to wait until people is back here.

Also have a look at StephenK post here: http://www.8notes.com/f/25_170263.asp. It could be useful for you if you happen to live in that area (no information is available in your profile).

I've been trying to think of reasons why some-one might "need" a new flute. The obvious (and trivial) answers are that the old one is damaged beyond repair, stolen or owned by a band/school with which you no longer play. In these cases, a lower cost instrument may be perfectly adequate. (It amuses me to play better on a cheap instrument that others with very expensive instruments).

More seriously, a good reason to spend alot of money on a new instrument is because it allows you to play (or learn to play) in ways you couldn't before. Under these circumstances, your teachers recommendations are the first flutes you should try - and only buy one after you've found one you like.

As a teenager (a long time ago), my playing was limited by a Boosey & Hawkes Regent flute but I should have been advised to get a new teacher as well as a better flute!

Well, first of all, everyone has their own favorite maker, and most people will try to tell you that one is better than the rest, so if your teacher (assuming you have one) tries to sell you on one particular flute (or even limits her suggestions to 2 or 3 models), I would say to disregard (most of) the advice. Still give her maker of choice a try, but don't feel like you have to buy it just because it's what your teacher suggested. I'll provide you with the names of as many of the major makers as come to hand, and then you must go play as many as possible to find one that you are comfortable with...One that you like the sound and feel of. Remember, choosing a flute is a personal experience, and for the amount of money you'll be spending, you want to find an instrument that you'll be happy with. Here's a list of makers selling instruments in or around that price range:

Yamaha
Sankyo
Amadeus (a division of Haynes)
Sonare (a division of Powell)
Azumi (a division of Altus)
Emerson
DiMedici
Muramatsu (particularly used)
Pearl
Trevor James

Any one of these companies produces solid instruments that can potentially expand your learning (as ekdavies mentioned is the goal of intermediate flutes), and are built solidly enough to last quite a while, so it's really just up to you to find something that you like. Best of luck to you in your search!

Chris

Lera's quite right about the colored flutes, but Lera, unless you know something I don't about where to shop, you're not going to get a gold flute for $2500. You might get something gold plated (the lip plate for example), but this really serves no purpose (aside from aesthetics), and the money can be better spent.

As stated, all flutists will have their favorite 'better-than-yours' brand. I don't have any suggestions as to specific brands you should try other than what Flutist06 suggested (the brands listed fall under the 'tried and true' category for many people so they're definitely worth looking into). Some tips when you do go to the music store and try their flutes is to bring people with you and don't try only a few brands. Good luck! =D

I hope you find the right flute. I posted here a year ago about what flute i should by..same situation as you! highschool..and i need a flute. Your budget is nice. I ended up with a pearl..that was the flute for me^_^ Go out and try different brands of flute..i think some one probably said that. YEAh..and i agree this forum is kinda slow these days. yeah..i guess it's the holidays..so yeah. but..keep us dated with ur search! minE was so hectic..haha.

YES, i agree too.. umm. Keep on looking..i was about to buy a flute brand EVERYONE has in my school..thought it was good. went to the store and tried it out..blah. it wasn't for me. i'm glad i tried it out though..i suggest you try all the different kinds of brand out there.^^

HI Everybody, haven't been on as have been on tour in Taiwan, having fun too

Try several flutes in that price range, do it with your eyes closed and when you are alone in a room

You might also consider having other people present to give you an audience member's view of how you sound, because it is different playing than listening....It would also help to have someone handing you the flutes while you're blindfolded so that you don't have to look at what you're doing when you switch, possibly invalidating the benefits of a blind test.

Taiwan? Cool..never been there. Did you get to ride in those cute taxi thingys?..haha^^. Do you ever come to chicago and give master classes? i've never been to one. i think it'll be cool.

You should look into getting an armstrong 80B

For 2500 there are many other instruments that will carry you further in your musical studies, which I believe I already listed. Feel free to consider the Armstrong, but other flutes will probably serve you better in this price range.