Reddit reviews Yamaha YFL-221 Student Flute

Here are some suggestions:

A simple system flute, often called an Irish flute. They are diatonic but these will allow you to play music in the keys of D, G, A and e-minor. Many good inexpensive ones are available, usually made out of Delrin, a very durable plastic. These are decent and affordable instruments. You can literally put them in a dishwasher and they will play fine afterwards:

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Tipple Irish Flute: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Doug-Tipples-3-piece-Irish-Flute-in-Low-D/133022489025?hash=item1ef8c219c1:g:A0gAAOSwNSxVXrS~

Shannon Irish Flute: https://www.irishflutestore.com/collections/irish-flutes-new/products/shannon-low-d-polymer-irish-flute-by-walt-sweet

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Or, if you want to play a modern chromatic flute (which would allow you to play most any sheet music) there nothing wrong with getting a decent metal student instrument. It will hold up fine to travel with modest care. Just get a little hard case, and swab it out after use:

Yamaha YFL-221 Student Flute: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YFL-221P-YFL-221-Student-Flute/dp/B0002F7LXC

As to the suceptable to moisture comment, just think how many of these perform just fine with student marching bands in rainy weather.

Someone mentioned the Nuvo plastic flute and that is fine too, though for a little more the Yamaha is a better instrument and will last longer.

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I don't think the suggestion to get a Native American Flute is a very good one, unless you are interested in playing that genre of music. The simple one octave pentatonic (5 note) scale is very limiting.

5k is a whole lot of money for a flute, especially if she isn't taking private lessons to really be able to know how to use those nice features (like the better tone, possibly open holes, etc etc...)

Honestly, you can get a very nice flute for $800 or so at any close-by Music store. I've taken private lessons since I was 13, and have for 3 years now and my Yamaha 221 is a very good flute for me.

If you're really set on buying her a more advanced, expensive flute, you can go with one priced at around $1300 or so, such as the Yamaha 262.

The difference between the two flutes I have listed is that the 221 is meant for more beginning students, but still not the cheapest one. 221 has offset G, so the key is easier to reach with your fingers, it has closed holes, so you don't have to worry about covering the holes with your fingers, especially if she's got small fingers. The tone in my opinion is just fine.

The 262 has the offset G (if you want an onset G, it's just a more expensive flute. But the tone difference between having onset and offset is barely even noticeable. I feel onset G is unnecessary for her playing.) 262 has open holes, which once mastered, produced a very good sound. It's not a whole lot different from the 221, except for the fact it's slightly higher quality and has closed holes and a few other minor features.

You can check all of the features through each of the links I gave you for each flute.

All of the advise from the other redditors is great too, and I much agree that for your daughter's level, it's a much better investment to buy a less expensive flute and invest in some private lessons for her, they do make a difference!

I hope your daughter continues to enjoy playing the flute!

Take care.