For our pricing guidelines, we’ve turned to specialist music shop Flute Center of New York to gather pricing and give you an estimate of Yamaha Flute prices.
Pricing may vary slightly among retailers and depend on where you are based in the USA. Different states may have different levels of state taxes as well. It is always best to contact your local music shop to get the most up-to-date pricing.
How Much Does a Yamaha Flute Cost
Yamaha Flute Lineup
Yamaha flutes are categorized from beginner to intermediate to professional models. Each has its characteristics and materials that will influence the price. We’ve listed the entry-level models with both an in-line and offset G key layout.
Let’s explore them below. Later we’ll look at a selection of professional models so that you can have something to aspire to when you reach professional status or join a symphony orchestra.
Student Models
The student model lineup starts with the 2-series flutes, progresses to the 3-series, and culminates in the 4-series. The image below shows the Yamaha student flutes materials from nickel silver (silver plating) and sterling silver.
Beginner Flutes: Yamaha YFL-222 and YFL-262
All the 2-series flutes feature a nickel silver (silver plated) headjoint, body, and keys.
The Yamaha YFL-222 flute (formerly the 221-model) is Yamaha’s most basic student flute and a fantastic beginner instrument for anyone who has never played the flute due to its ease of blowing and consistent high-quality tone production.
Features:
- Covered keys
- Offset G
- No split-E mechanism
- Plateau model
- Presented in a case and carry bag
- C-footjoint
- Pointed key arms
Price: $1,097 USD.
An optional curved headjoint is available for the YFL-222 flute to make playing and learning the flute more comfortable for beginners—the lip plate is brought closer to the hands.
Young beginners can hold their instrument more comfortably without reaching beyond their capabilities. The price is $292 USD.
The Yamaha YFL-262 (formerly 261) model is the first in Yamaha’s lineup of flutes with open finger holes/ring keys for beginners.
Features:
- Open finger holes/French-style finger holes
- Offset G
- No split-E mechanism
- Plateau model
- Presented in a case and carry bag
- C-footjoint
- Pointed key arms
Price: $1,463 USD.
The Yamaha YFL-282 flute has almost the same features as the YFL-262 flute but features the split-E mechanism, and the keys are in-line as opposed to the offset G. The price is $1,463 USD.
Intermediate Flutes: YFL-322, YFL-362, YFL-382
The 3-series intermediate flutes feature a nickel silver (silver plated) body and keys with a sterling silver headjoint. The headjoint gives the flute a richer and warmer tone.
Features:
- Sterling silver headjoint
- Covered keys
- Offset G
- No split-E mechanism
- Plateau model
- Presented in a case and carry bag
- C-footjoint
- Pointed key arms
Price: $1,967 USD
Features:
- Sterling silver headjoint
- Ring keys
- Offset G
- No split-E mechanism
- Plateau model
- Presented in a case and carry bag
- C-foot joint standard
- Optional B-foot joint [with or without a gold-plated lip plate (YFL-362H/LPGP)]—please see pricing below
- Pointed key arms
- French-style case and cover
Price: $2,087 USD
B-footjoint: $2,207
B-Footjoint with gold lip plate: $2,327 USD
Features:
- Sterling silver headjoint
- Ring keys
- In-line keys (no offset-G)
- No split-E mechanism
- C-footjoint standard
- Optional B-foot joint [with a gold-plated lip plate (YFL-382H/LPGP)]—please check with your retailer for pricing
- Pointed key arms
- French-style case and cover
Price: $2,087 USD
B-footjoint: $2,207
B-Footjoint with gold lip plate: $2,327 USD
Intermediate-Advanced Flutes: YFL-422, YFL 462
The 4-series flutes feature sterling silver bodies and headjoints.
Formerly the YFL-421 model.
Features:
- Sterling silver headjoint
- Sterling silver body
- Nickel-plated mechanism
- Covered keys
- Offset G
- No split-E mechanism
- C-footjoint
- Pointed key arms
Price: $3,286 USD
Formerly the YFL-461 model.
Features:
- Sterling silver headjoint
- Sterling silver body
- Nickel-plated mechanism
- Open tone holes
- Offset G
- No split-E mechanism
- C-footjoint
- Pointed key arms
- Optional B-foot joint [with or without a gold-plated lip plate (YFL-462H/LPGP)]—please see pricing below
- French-style case and case cover
Price: $3,286 USD
B-footjoint: $3,526 USD
B-Footjoint with gold lip plate: $3,646 USD
Select Professional Models
These models, which inherit the numerous benefits of top-of-the-line Yamaha handcrafted flutes, provide rich, subtle intonation over a wide dynamic range. All sterling silver flutes feature drawn tone holes.
This is the first model in the professional series offered by Yamaha.
Features:
- Hand-cut sterling silver headjoint
- Silver-plated mechanism and body
- A = 442
- Offset G
- Split-E mechanism (standard on offset G models)
- Pointed key arms
- 0.43mm wall thickness (0.017 inches)
- Gold springs
- Optional C#-trill key
- B footjoint
Price: $4,852 USD (YFL-577H, Offset G, Split-E)
$5,052 USD (YFL-577HCT, Offset G, Split-E, C#-trill key)
$5,172 USD (YFL-577HCT/LPGP, Offset G, Split-E, C#-trill key, gold-plated lip plate)
Features:
- Hand-cut sterling silver headjoint
- Silver-plated mechanism and body
- A = 442
- In-line G key
- Split-E mechanism
- Pointed key arms
- 0.40mm wall thickness (0.016 inches)
- Gold springs
- Straubinger Phoenix pads
- B foot joint
Price: $6,382 USD (YFL-697H, Offset G, Split-E)
Features:
- Hand-cut sterling silver headjoint
- Sterling silver mechanism and body
- A = 442
- In-line G key
- Split-E mechanism
- Pointed key arms
- Ring keys
- 0.40mm wall thickness (0.016 inches)
- Gold springs
- Straubinger Phoenix pads
- B footjoint
Price: $9,904 USD (YFL-797H, Offset G, Split-E)
YFL-874W
The Yamaha wood flute models are handmade from African Grenadilla wood (Dalbergia melanoxylon). They are suited to both chamber and solo performances with enough projection and strength to stand out in a symphony orchestra.
The lip plate and headjoint are expertly crafted from a single piece of select African grenadilla wood, ensuring total control combined with pure, natural resonance.
Select features:
- Professionally handmade
- Grenadilla wood headjoint and body
- Sterling silver mechanism
- French (open hole) finger holes
- Pointed key arms
- Gold springs
- A = 442
- Offset G with a split-E mechanism
- B footjoint
Price: $12,707 USD
You can learn more about the professional series flutes on Yamaha’s website.