I agree. I played one of these for a while when I was a student, and
it was fine. Condition is by far the most important thing, and
nothing will put a pupil off faster than a non-functioning
instrument. Make sure the teacher tries anything you buy in future!

Cheers, Dominy

--- In flutepastels@yahoogroups.com, Jane Wicherski <andymanmn@e...>
wrote:
> Mike, I would say, as a student starting my third year, that the
flute
> should be fine for him. If he has any inclination to continue with
the
> flute into college, say in a marching band, or chamber orchestra,
or
> whatever, even jazz, it will be time enough to upgrade then. If he
keeps
> this flute in good condition, you'll be able to recover what you
spent
> initially, and only be out the maintenance that you'd have no
matter
> what he plays!
> Upgrading when he's ready will be a pretty personal thing,
depending on
> what sound he's looking for. The Yamahas are said to have an "easy
to
> play, fat sound" which is good in ensemble playing.
>
> That's my humble opinion.
> Janey