YAMAHA Intermediate Flute YFL-222 Student Version

I was skeptical about authenticity, but I trusted Amazon’s return policy and the reviews all seemed good, so I took the chance on this seller.

I am a returning flute player, and I have played a few Yamahas and feel that they are the best flutes for the price.

I am extremely impressed with this flute right out of the box. It was made in Indonesia, as all Yamaha 222 flutes are. It has a serial number on the box and several items, like Yamaha booklets and cloth cleaners. It comes with a hard and a soft case with a strap. It came from Korea, but arrived in only a few days. Super fast. I’m not sure how they even do that.

Apparently, since they are overseas they can sell Yamaha flutes for less than the manufacturer price.

It is an amazing deal and I’m excited to play it some more. So far, I love the sound.

Was hesitant to buy a flute off of amazon. I bought this for my daughter that is going into 9th grade and starting marching band. the sound quality is what you expect for a beginner student flute. Glad I bought this for her.

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.

As advertised. Received before time listed.

Studied flute in the mid 90’s for two years. Re-started after recently learning my flute teacher died too young- it’s my ode to her. She was a symphony player with a Verne Powell flute. Northwestern U music grad, huge tone, great chops. Before getting this Yamaha 222 I owned a made in Japan (MIJ) 300 series model- wish I still had it.
Regardless if the 222 is an overstock, Korean clone, or wanna be it does the job. Excellent for beginners. Intermediates will notice the top joint lip plate is limited- need to watch the embrochure angle/amount of air for the octave and high notes. These notes tend to go into whistle tones if overblown. Make sure to have a tech check a new flute and soften the key spring rods to reduce hard action after purchase. Have since bought a Yamaha 517 (available only in Japan) with closed hole keys. Sterling silver top joint and plays like a dream, even if I can’t. Definitely a repeat customer for Yamaha flutes, drums, but not motorcycles.