Lee Oskar Plates C Major

Advantages: Easy to play, intonation is good, good beginner flute, tone is quite warm, lasts a long time if looked after.
Disadvantages: Quite heavy in weight, dull silver colour, highest register sounds quite muffled.

...This flute is a very good foundation for the beginner flautist. I had a Yamaha 211 for my second flute, and it lasted me till grade 6, but then I know other flute players who have done their Grade 8's and some music college auditions on the Yamaha 211. It produces a nice tone, is easy to play, though has a rather dull silver colour to it, as it is silver plated. Very good for the beginner, I'd recommend off-set keys. It produces a warm tone, and the keys themselves are comfortable. Once the player learns about producing a good tone, the Yamaha 211 enhances their tone, especially in the lower register. This flute also produces a good projected sound, though it is hard to produce a clear tone.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Cheap student model, good quality, good brand
Disadvantages: higher register not very clear, heavy, dull in colour

..., and even then it could probably be sorted out with practice. For earlier grades, this flute is perfect. The lower register is beautifully projected, and overall the flute produces a warm sound. In addition to this, the 211 is pretty robust because the quality of metals used by yamaha is fantastic! I used to really handle mine badly, and it hardly hurt at all. One downfall is that occasionally the screws do loosen slightly, though this is bound to happen with any flute over time. The silver plating also tarnishes with time, and it may be worth having it professionally cleaned once in a while! In a nutshell- definately the best beginner flute on the market! In my opinion suitable up to grade 5, though i'm sure it would get you through higher grades! The 211 is perfect for a first instrument!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: plastic comb, easy to play, good for beginners and intermediates
Disadvantages: range of sound

...The Hohner Special 20 - in key C because that's the key most playing is done in, on diatonic harmonicas - is a great harmonica for both beginners and intermediates. It's easy to play because of the plastic comb (the bit in between the harmonica's two metal plates), and the holes are well-spaced and large, so it's hard to go too wrong if you're not used to playing - this is unlike other harmonicas such as the Pro Harp which have more closely spaced holes from which it is harder to achieve single notes. On to the more technical details....well, Hohner is arguably the number 1 in harmonicas and provides the best quality models around. The Special 20 in C comes with good-looking metal plates, and since the reeds are within the comb and within the harmonica, there is no reed-plate edge to annoy the lips when playing. This harmonica... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful