So, I started playing flute around 4th grade, but quickly lost interest. But about a year and a half ago, at the start of my sophomore year, I restarted on the flute with a student model yamaha. After a few months I started taking lessons, which was almost a year ago. I've been very passionate about flute playing, I practice constantly. I really love it. I even made it into my districts' district band on my student model, and was just points away from an all state rec. But my flute teacher has told me I've outgrown my student model, and as much as I love my flute, I'd like to upgrade, which brings me to my question: Should I go for an intermediate or professional model? I've heard that I might outgrow an intermediate model as quickly as I outgrew my student model. I figured I'd get as many people's opinions as possible before making my decision.

What does your teacher suggest? He/she knows your playing better than any of us ....

She didn't really specify. She told me I should try as many different flutes as I could to find one that I liked, and could get a good sound on. I tried one during my lesson, a yamaha 381. I really didn't like it. I had trouble in the third octave, trouble I don't have on my student model. And I just couldn't get a good sound. I also tried the yamaha 481, which I also didn't like. I'm thinking I just don't like yamahas, even though that's what I started out on.

There are many many brands of flutes out there. Maybe you need to try other. Yamahas are considered good choice but maybe not for you. Try Pearl, Jupiter, whatever you can get your hands on. But remember, it may not be the yamaha that is giving you trouble. Student flutes are made for students and are usually easier to play. Whenever you change/upgrade flutes, there is a certain transition time during which you need to get accustomed to the new headjoint and flute. That's why its important you just don't jump into anything and why the direction of your teacher will be very helpful in the long run.

I tried several yamahas when I was looking to start playing again, none of them did it for me. It is unlikely you need a" professional" flute, just a good semi professional level flute from a good company. Muramatsu, Mateki, Altus, Sankyo... all make silver plated flutes in the $2,000-3,000 range that would fit the bill.