Yamaha YFL-222 Intermediate Flute for Student (International Version)

When our kiddo started flute a few years ago, we didn’t know anything and bought a pretty basic Etude something-or-other student flute because it was the cheapest. It needed an expensive repair not long into use (almost as much as we initially paid), and when it needed another repair for a broken key recently, we started looking for a Yamaha replacement (brand recommended by her middle school band teacher).I was a little wary that this was half the price for the exact same model at our local Music & Arts store, and worried shipping would take awhile from SKorea, but we took the chance.It arrived in less than a week, perfectly brand new in factory packaging, with a few extras thrown in. Daughter loved the cute handwritten Thank You notes in Korean.We parents still don’t know diddly about flutes or music, but can attest that the sound is much clearer at home and my daughter says she can 100% tell the difference in quality. Her band teacher says the sound improvement from her has been fantastic.If your kiddo has stuck with flute and is ready for an upgrade, can’t recommend this seller and Yamaha flute enough. I’m sure we’ll have to revisit higher-end models in the future if she continues her studies, but for middle school Concert Band this has been great.

Hit the purchase button before I looked at reviews, and had a nerve wracking weekend wait. Glad I did.Flute arrived today packaged really well. After extremely careful review, my fears of a counterfeit were quashed. Had this checked over even more thoroughly by our local repair technician for further confirmation. It's still technically a gamble buying international, but at least this seller sent me a genuine 222.This is what a flute should be. The ease to play, the amazingly pure tone quality, the beautiful quality build, it's functional response being on point, and half the cost on top of it all?The seller left information that this could be registered under warranty, though I haven't checked yet. Unlikely the warranty will come into play anyhow as I get my instruments maintained by a local professional, but this could be a concern for other buyers if a local technician isn't available.That being said, if you get a genuine flute, keep in mind a repair will work with US model parts (it's LITERALLY the same flute), and a $300 repair is far easier to stomach as you already saved about $500 in comparison. This is still the over $1,000 flute we get here.A bit of mislabling of the product name. The 222 is a beginner flute. Don't be dismayed at this, the 222 is notorious for getting you into your early intermediate stage without fail, and my progress in some aspects is that of a well advanced beginner who was fighting a cheap Mendini. I am able to play my entire register set on the 222 with very little to no effort in contrast to the Mendini.If you absolutely cannot wait to save $1,000, and are willing to take a gamble, recommended.Worst case you will have to go through the refund process and will have time to save and look at local guaranteed options.

This flute arrived so fast! It is absolutely beautiful & plays like a dream. It’s so smooth & melodic. I feel like I don’t have to blow as hard while playing. I’m just an amateur flute player, but this sweet flute will definitely have me looking forward to my practice sessions! The seller also threw in a couple of nice gifts, which was a nice touch. I highly recommend this seller & this flute.

I waited until I had this flute for 6 months before writing this review. I took up the flute 8 months ago with a cheapie flute from the bay. After 2 months of self-study, I could not really play, but my interest was only increasing. So I got serious: bought this flute and got a music teacher to come to the house every week for an hour.Now I know enough to give a competent review:Everyone says you can't buy a flute in a poke; trials and techs and repairmen and teachers must all be involved. That's fine for someone who knows these people, but what if you're just starting out and want to get an instrument without this support?This is where Yamaha shines. Go to any flute message board (I like the r/flute subreddit) and the ONLY flute anyone feels confident in suggesting buying blind is a Yamaha. Almost every thread goes like this: "What flute should I buy?" "Well, you have to get a team of 6 experts together to examine the offerings and xray your skull cavities while you play." "Can't I just pick up the Yamaha?" "Oh, sure, if you want to spend money."I bought the YFL-222 blind because I'd had absolutely no flute training, but I made no misstep here. I LOVE this instrument and there's a lot to love. It has become one of my most cherished possessions.It plays easy, the embouchure hole must be perfect. Low tones are mellow, highs are crisp. Attacks are easy, it responds to articulation effortlessly. I swear I can get nicer notes out of my 222 after 6 months than my teacher can get from his Artley after 6 decades. His Bb sounds like an ocarina while mine is a host of angels.I've played this heavily (even playing outdoors on occasion), the light patina that's starting to form is attractive and soft. But the instrument looks just as pretty as when it was new. The screwheads, rods, springs all look unblemished and without corrosion. The pads look new and there are no leaks from the lowest to highest notes.The only 2 quibbles I can find:1. The hard case (inside the soft carrying case) has no handle. I like to tie my cleaning cloth to the outside of the case (so the wet rag isn't in the case with the flute) and tying it to the handle would be great. I had to add a brass eyelet to the outside of the case to hold the rag, a handle would have been more elegant.2. The D# trill key is just a hair too close to the D key. With my huge mitts (I can palm a basketball) and thick fingers, I sometimes graze the trill key when fingering the D which renders it mute. I've been getting better at avoiding it. My teacher claims it's a non-issue, if I was fingering correctly I'd be fine. But his Artley definitely has a few extra critical millimeters between those keys.The tone of this instrument is world class. It has been reliable, seems robust. Love it, makes me smile. I claim it's the only flute that a student working alone can buy without risk.