Introduction, and in a need of assistance plz

[Chummy]

Hi y'all

I'm chummy, a long time musician, I work as a piano teacher and have been playing proficiently piano for 20 years and the Ukulele for 7 years.
However in the last few weeks/months I've been obsessed over picking up the flute as well. I have never ever tried to play a wind instrument, and I adore the hollow, subtle "sinusoidal" - esque sound, which would fit to the music I like to play and hear.

So, knowing from past experience you can't go wrong with YAMAHA I ordered this : (YAMAHA YFL-211)
which seemed pretty cheap at first, but since 160 people bought the same and it got positive reviews such as it plays great I didn't think twice
(two flutist friends also approved of YAMAHA and having owned YAMAHA keyboards/pianos I know they're no joke)
However then I was thinking, did I just make a huge mistake and bought a piece of junk that will blemish in a few months to a year?
Is it playable for the beginner?

This is the ebay link I ordered from:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263912676752

"Name: YFL-211S flute
Features: lead-free solder Manufacturing
Design of finger keys: closed cell. Of E key Design
Tone: C tone
Arrangement: curve type Key
Silver plated nickel silver alloy Material: tube
Treatment: Silver Plated Surface"

Obviously it's made in china (and designed in Japan), as YAMAHA only makes their top tier instruments in actual Japan.but compared to the prices of a lot of other stuff out there I feel like I'm making a mistake since I was being warned of chinese instrument and also since the item hasn't been shipped yet (just been almost 2 days, might be cancelable)... any advice please? cheers and regards

-peace

[pied_piper]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the eBay link you provided shows what appears to be a counterfeit Yamaha flute. While, some Yamaha flutes are indeed made in China to Yamaha specifications, this does not appear to be a genuine Yamaha flute.

There are several telltale signs that this is counterfeit.
It's labeled as a 2019 YFL-211S but Yamaha has not made the 211S for a number of years.
The current Yamaha model is a YFL-222.
The Yamaha logo is laser etched and not engraved.
The flute includes a cover on the headjoint tenon but Yamaha does not do that.

Here is the Yamaha website listing their current flute models.
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical ... index.html

[Chummy]

Thanks for the very helpful response my friend.^^

Honeslty, I'm surprised and angry at myself at the same time. Usually I always do an extensive research before I buy anything, especially musical instruments. The Price did seem suspicious but since I saw it was a YAMAHA and the model did check out on google and Youtube (where I saw videos of that flute model YFL-211 being played) I thought it was safe. Moreoever I got totally blindsighted by the fact that this seller has sold ~160 of those flutes and have an overwhelmingly positive feedback and good comments from people who bought it "it's great" and such. Of course things like that can be fabricated but there was too much stuff clearing him from suspicion that I was caught with my pants down.

I'm not that kinda guy who would get cheap to not spend 400-500$ on a good legit starters flute. I am geniunley mad at myself for letting my guards down and believing I'm getting what is advertised. I never had such experience in eBay yet I should have known better. I haven't received the item and don't want to receive it either. I have emailed eBay describing the situation and gave a few headsup messages to the seller asking for refund based on the facts you kindly pointed out in your post... meanwhile he is blabbling about "the item is like Apple Mobile device "(using broken English) which I have absolutely no idea what he's talking about.. I sincerely hope eBay will rule in my favor, notice this scammer and fund me fully on the ground of false advertising and deceiveing my money out of me for not providing what I thought I was getting.

Thanks again. I will be going to the shop in a few days or so, no shortcuts. I wanna see what I get. I have seen a post which describes several models that are good for beginners (if only I had seen it earlier, damn). Any one recommended in particular for one reason or another? thanks. I'm a very serious when it comes to music as it is both my passion and my profession.

Cheers and Best Wishes
Chummy

[Flanker_27]

Wait, they're even counterfeiting flutes? I mean, they're not Gucci bags or German car parts, I don't think copying Yamaha instruments is the most rentable endeavour out there... But it looks like I'm mistaken.

Anyways, thanks for the tip, my teacher recommended me to get a Yamaha flute if I want to start being serious after I start playing decently, and I never thought you'd find counterfeit ones...

[fluteguy18]

Yeah. The photos look good, but the details of the sale seem iffy. In reality a QUALITY student flute will cost you between $800-1100USD. That's the truth. Anything less is likely used and in dire need of service, or it is sub-standard

Learning a classical musical instrument is not a cheap endeavor. In USD, Student flutes generally go between $800-1200, Intermediate from $1600-3000, Pre-pro from $3000-9000, and Pros from $10,000-100,000+.

[Flanker_27]

Yeah. The photos look good, but the details of the sale seem iffy. In reality a QUALITY student flute will cost you between $800-1100USD. That's the truth. Anything less is likely used and in dire need of service, or it is sub-standard

Learning a classical musical instrument is not a cheap endeavor. In USD, Student flutes generally go between $800-1200, Intermediate from $1600-3000, Pre-pro from $3000-9000, and Pros from $10,000-100,000+.

Okay, thanks, I'll pay attention to this when stepping up then. Fortunately enough, I don't plan to become a professionnal flutist because as much as I love this instrument and music in general, shelling out so much money can literally buy you a villa in Greece or a trip around the world for four people.

[Chummy]

I am sorry for my late reply as I do not check the forums ever so often, just wanted to update, as it's been half a year since the OP and happy new year everyone btw.

So in the end I got refunded by my credit card company so I didn't lose any money at all. back then I bought the Pearl student flute with closed holes and it's quite nice. I've been learning and playing the flute for half a year now, I am working with a teacher and I am quite advanced given my time due to past musical experience, having absolute hearing and of course the quality/experience of my teacher. I play quite a lot as well so it contributes.
since the start (a month after I started lessons) I have been taking monthly videos depicting my progress. After a year has passed I plan on uploading a montage from total newbie days to see how much progress I made , in order to further motivate myself and perhaps inspire others to do the same as it helped me.

Peace out

[frugal flutist]

Hi Chummy,
Thanks for the follow up. Good to hear you didn't lose any money, though I'm sure you paid a high price in lost time and stress. I've been there and done that.