Yamaha YFL-212 Student Flute

The Yamaha YFL-212 Student Flute is the one most band teachers put at the top of the list for a beginner, and for good reason. It is a silver-plated nickel silver flute with covered keys, an offset G and a split E mechanism, which together make the first year or two a lot less frustrating.

Offset G, covered keys, split E

The offset G puts the left-hand ring finger key where a small or average hand naturally falls, so a beginner is not stretching to seal it. Covered (closed-hole) keys forgive fingers that do not yet land dead centre. The split E mechanism closes the lower G key when high E is fingered, which makes that notoriously touchy note speak cleanly instead of cracking.

Silver plate over nickel silver

The head, body and keys are nickel silver with a silver-plated finish. Nickel silver is tough, holds its shape through the knocks a school flute takes, and the plating keeps it looking clean with a wipe-down after playing. The pointed key arms run to the centre of each cup, which keeps the pads seating evenly over time rather than drifting.

C foot and updated pad cups

The C foot joint is the standard for a student flute: shorter, lighter and easier to balance than a B foot, with low C as the bottom note. The pad cups were updated on this generation to work with the pointed arms, giving a firmer seal and a more even response from the low register up.

Specifications