Honestly, a flute for my daughter when she started beginning band in 4th grade. It cost $80. She's never stuck with anything long and I didn't want to spend $900 on an instrument nobody was playing. Renting from the school cost $35/month. I knew that it was possible I would get what I paid for, and I may have to consider it disposable after a few months. I did talk to her band teacher first, and she said it was OK, but cheaper instruments often don't have as good sound as a higher quality instrument, and sometimes are more frustrating for the kids to play. Three years later, and she still plays this flute all the time. It has beautiful sound, and the band teacher said she was really impressed with the quality. She is in Junior High now, still plays in the school band, and that band teacher also has had no problem with the sound of her flute.