Yamaha · Student · YFL-222 · 2016–present
The YFL-222 is the flute Yamaha builds for a child's first year of band. It went on sale in the US in January 2016, replacing the YFL-221, when Yamaha reworked its whole student and intermediate flute line. The headjoint, body and footjoint are silver-plated nickel silver, the keys are closed plateau cups, the G key is offset toward the left ring finger, and the footjoint stops at low C. For the update Yamaha borrowed one touch from its handmade flutes, pointed key arms on the A-sharp, F-sharp and other keys you don't press directly. The rest is built for school use, with power-forged keys, neoprene key bumpers in place of cork, a tough plastic case and an alignment mark on the footjoint so a young player lines it up right. The CY headjoint has an undercut embouchure hole that Yamaha shaped to help beginners get a clean sound quickly. Flute teacher Jennifer Cluff tells families on a budget to look for a used Yamaha 200 series flute, because Yamahas hold their mechanical precision over time. That advice covers the older 221 as well, and either one wants a tech's once-over before lessons start.
This is about as safe a first flute as there is, with the closed holes, offset G and C footjoint teachers start beginners on. Plan on a service by a woodwind tech, since a used flute's pads nearly always need adjusting before a child can get clean notes.
Build and caseYFL-222
Go by the model number. Yamaha released the YFL-222 in the US in January 2016, so a 222 dates from then or later, and a YFL-221 is the earlier version. We couldn't find a serial chart that Yamaha publishes for its flutes.
Leaking pads are the usual problem, and a student often blames herself for notes that won't speak. Keys and rods get bent when kids grab the mechanism to put the flute together, and the head cork can be pushed out of place with the cleaning rod.
More on this in our flute buying guide.
Buying guide
For a first flute we'd buy a used US 222 with its case, like the one titled beautiful with the case and original box at $479 delivered from a 100% seller, and have a woodwind tech service it before lessons start. There are at least 64 for sale, and the $525–750 band is set mostly by Korean dealers selling new ones at about $660 delivered, while a new one from a US dealer asks $1,322 and used US ones with a case ask $479–569. Look in the photos for bent keys and a dented headjoint, and ask whether it plays cleanly down to low C, since leaking pads are the usual fault. Skip the $97 one, far under the band with $7.78 shipping, the same odd amount several zero-feedback flute listings use, and pay only through eBay checkout.
$377.49est. delivered
The lowest delivered complete 222 here at $377, titled with the Yamaha hard case and cleaning rod, from a 99.9% seller. It ships from Canada with $39 of that in shipping, and there's no condition claim, so plan on a tech's once-over.
Yamaha YFL-222 Flute with Cleaning Rod & Yamaha Hard Case
$478.99est. delivered
Titled beautiful, with the case and original box, at $479 delivered from a 100% US seller, about $46 under the band. Ask whether it plays cleanly down to low C, and budget for a pad check.
Yamaha YFL222 Offset G Silver Flute w Case - Beautiful! w original box
$569.00est. delivered
A used 222 with its case from a US music retailer with 99.9% feedback, at $569 delivered, under what new ones from Korea ask. Ask whether it's been checked over, and plan on a tech's service if not.
YAMAHA YFL222 Student Flute with Offset G Key System / Nickel Silver Body /Case
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$377.49est. delivered
$338.54 + $38.95 shipping
Buy It Now$338.54
Good buy
Hard case and cleaning rod titled. Ships from Canada.
Seller: sharpclaw.ltd
99.9% positive
Used$478.99est. delivered
$429.00 + $49.99 shipping
Buy It Now$429.00
Good buy
Titled beautiful, with case and original box.
Seller: homerld1
100% positive
Used$569.00est. delivered
$549.00 + $20.00 shipping
Buy It Now$549.00
Good buy
Used, with case, from a US music retailer.
Seller: mouthpieceexpress
99.9% positive
Used$506.78est. delivered
$499.00 + $7.78 shipping
Buy It Now$499.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled excellent used condition, with original case, bag and accessories.
Seller: cocobxny
100% positive
New$620.26est. delivered
$588.78 + $31.48 shipping
Buy It Now$588.78
Our take
New 222HD from a Korean dealer, with case and bag.
Seller: yooyooshop
99.5% positive
Used$96.78est. delivered
$89.00 + $7.78 shipping
Buy It Now$89.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Far under the band, with the $7.78 shipping seen on zero-feedback listings. The flute looks gold-toned in the photo.
Seller: em-294586
100% positive
Used$606.40est. delivered
$600.00 + $6.40 shipping
Buy It Now$600.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Zero feedback, and the same title as another zero-feedback account.
Seller: horsegi54
No feedback yet
New$1,322.00delivered
$1,322.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,322.00
Priced high
New from a US dealer, about twice the median.
Seller: musiciansfriend
99.8% positive
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