I just started experimenting with the flute (been playing clarinet for 9 months now) and have a few questions. First I find it quite difficult to get low notes in particular low C1. Is there a trick to this? I'm guessing just plain ole practice. I bought my flute (Yamaha YFL-24n) off ebay for $50. A tech adjusted it and said it was in good shape for it's age. Now my other question is if I bought a brand new Yamaha YFL-381 with all the bells and whistles will it play easier than my current old ebay flute? I just want to have the best chance at learning as I can get but If a new expensive flute will be no easier to play than my old one then there is no point in spending the money.

The newer Yammie will not play any easier than a well maintained used Yammie with the possible exception of intonationally. If you must buy a new flute, and are set on a Yamaha (there are many other solidly built flutes from other makers available), you might as well stick with the 200 series. The only difference between the 200's and the 300's is the sterling silver headjoint, but this really won't affect how the flute plays very much, especially considering that the cut of the embouchure hole is the same. I would suggest you save your money until you are sure you want to stick with the flute. As for low notes, many people find the low range to be the most difficult, and it can take some time to learn how to use your air. Try slowing the air slightly, and angling it down into the flute more, rather than across or up. In the future, if you have trouble with them, have a tech check the flute for leaks, as the lowest pitches require all pads to be sealing well. Since it has seen a tech recently, and you're relatively new to the instrument, that shouldn't be a big problem this time around. Just keep practicing. One technique that might help though...Find a note that speaks easily and has a tone you like. Hold it out, for a few seconds, and then slur down a half step, working to match the tone of the two pitches. Repeat that, and then start on the second pitch and repeat the process until you get to the lowest notes. For example, if you start on G, you'd slur G-F#, G-F#, F#-F, F#-F, F-E, F-E, etc...I hope some of that helps, and good luck!

Thanks for the advice. I think I will at least try some new flutes to see if I really want to buy new.

Alright, but you do have a flute from a very solid company, that (hopefully) is in good working order thanks to it's recent visit to a tech, so I wouldn't advise buying another flute. Of course, in the end it's your money, so you'll have to decide, and there's nothing wrong with playing other flutes, but chances are you won't be able to detect any differences that exist between the various instruments, since you've just recently started playing. Let us know what you decide.

Even if your used 24N is adjusted properly and in good working order, chances are it is not going to play as well as a newer Yamaha. The 24 series was made quite some time ago when Yamaha did not produce as well of quality instruments as they do today. Yamaha has come a long way since then.

Even if your used 24N is adjusted properly and in good working order, chances are it is not going to play as well as a newer Yamaha. The 24 series was made quite some time ago when Yamaha did not produce as well of quality instruments as they do today. Yamaha has come a long way since then.

Yeah the tech said it was probably about 20+ years old. I'll see how a YFL-381 plays.

The 381 had an in line G, so you may want to look at the 361. It is hard enough starting off on flute, so having one with an offset G will make it easier. I do think that the Yamaha 221 plays just about identical to the 300 series even though it is closed hole and does not have the solid silver head. With Yamaha heads, I never noticed too much of a difference between the solid silver heads vrs the silver plated ones.

You may want to check out the new Azumi line in which you get more for your money and in my opinion, have a much better head on them then the Yamahas, but body wise, play identical to the Yamahas also. Azumi would be my first choice.

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If you are looking for a used Yamaha that is like new, contact me privately as I do have one for sale. Not trying to do a sales pitch here, just hoping I can help. :)

I must say you guys are right.
My first flute was a 21S model, all silver plated.
This instrument was responsible for the flutist I am today. It was indeed a beginners instrument, with limitations, although it took me time to reach the point when a better flute was needed.

Zevang

Does an inline G difficult to learn on?

Inline G vs. Offset G is really a comfort issue rather than an ease of learning issue. For many players, Offset G is more comfortable, but for some, Inline will be better. It really depends on the size of the ring finger in comparison to the middle finger, width of the palm, etc. Try both options and choose whichever feels best for you. Having an Inline G will not make it any more difficult to learn, as it doesn't change fingerings or how the mechanism is built (besides eliminating the rod associated with the Offset G), but one option or the other may be so uncomfortable to play that it could actually limit your music making, or cause pain, and over the years, may lead to carpal tunnel or RSI's.

Even if the in line G is comfortable to you, I would avoid an open hole flute when first learing. It will not make it more difficult to learn the flute, but will make it a lot harder to play for a beginner.

That's very true, Kara. Of course, you could opt for plugs until you progress further, but at least in this case, you'd probably be better off with a 200 series than a 300. The 300's really don't play any better than the 200's IMHO (they're essentially the same flute, but with a sterling headjoint instead of a plated one), and I believe someone expressed this same thought above, but they do cost considerably more, and offer options that you not only won't need as a beginner, but may make it more difficult for you (like open holes).

"put in the hard slog of a few thousand hours practice, then a few thousand more..."

That's a depressing thought to share with a beginner ... IMHO its the first 20-40 hours that is both the hardest and the least rewarding. With direction from a good teacher, that can be achieved in a few months (or less) and achieve a standard when the playing starts to become very rewarding. It can also be helpful to distinguish practising from playing ... the later achieves little progress on its own whereas the former is targetted towards clearly defined goals.

I wouldn't be concerned about being able to play bottom C until most (perhaps all) of the second octave can be played well. Its quite common for able students not to be able to play bottom C on a flute with a different head until they experiment and get used to that flute (unless they are well versed in technique or have a very good teacher). On some student flutes bottom C is never easy - even when there aren't any leaks!

Well this is what I have decided to do. I ordered a YFL-381 from wwbw to try out. If it isn't any easier or doesn't sound any better than my old 24N then I will send it back and stick to the 24N.