flute teachers - can you recommend?

[sevenseas]

DD will be starting flute lessons in September and I want to buy her a new flute that is reasonable quality but not too pricey. Yamaha 211 seems to be the most highly recommended but at c. 500GBP it is a bit too costly for me. Can you recommend anything at around 200GBP?

[bluefootedpenguin]

Hi. Not a Flute teacher but a Clarinet teacher, Ex secondary Music HOD and I worked in Music retail as a woodwind specialist for 5 years. The YFL211 is a great flute for a beginner and you know you are buying a good quality instrument. Also, the backup you receive from a company like Yamaha is great if you should have any problems. As your daughter is starting lessons in September can I assume that this will be at school with the peripatetic service? If this is the case, many local authorities will lend instruments to pupils who receive lessons at school. Another short term option could be to hire one. You should also have the option to be able to purchase your instrument through school, which will save you the VAT and usually get a good education discount. Look here These prices are just minus vat, usually you can expect up to another 25% off. The School bursar or finance officer should be able to help you, also the HOD. The Trevor James instruments are reasonable as are Boosey and Hawkes. Avoid anything made in India and if it seems really cheap and to good to be true it probably is! HTH

[sevenseas]

Thank you! I have emailed the school to find out if possible to access discount instruments. Otherwise back to the internet to look for the brands recommended as reasonable.