I started playing the flute about 7 years ago and since moving from the fife I have had the Yamaha 211. It has kept me playing all the way up to grade six so is definitely worth buying. Although there are many other models available with solid silver head joints and open holes, I think this is certainly, without a doubt, the best flute for a beginner upwards. Yamaha are very well known throughout the music industry and their range of instruments prove their reliability. It produces a warm tone and it very easy to play however, compared to other flutes it is said to be quite heavy in weight and the upper register can be quite muffled. Depite this, I would recommend it to anyone thinking about buying a flute because it is a good quality, cheap student instrument and is also an extremely good and well known brand.