How to play the Flute
Like any other instrument, the flute can be intimidating to learn at the start, but with hard work and practice you'll see it isn't as hard as you thought.
Hand position & finger placementThe first step in learning to play the flute is to form a comfortable playing position. To hold the flute, extend it horizontally to the right. Your left palm should be facing you whereas your right palm should be facing outward. It is good to practice in the mirror while learning to make sure your positioned properly. The next step is to learn the standard placement for your hand and fingers, on the left is a simple figure for this. As you can see the right hand thumb is not listed because it is solely to balance the flute, not to depress any of the flute's keys. Click here to watch a short, simple video that will increase your understanding on how to hold the flute.
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Making a soundA good way to get more comfortable with starting to make sound is to not actually put the flute together. Only hold the head joint in your left hand and place your right hand on the open end. Then you can place your mouth on the wide side of the embouchure piece and practice tightening the corners of your mouth a little bit and blowing gently across the hole.
When playing the flute there are a few things to keep in mind. It is important to not puff your cheeks out when blowing and making sure your mouth, throat and fingers are relaxed. If you have a lot of tension in your body, you will not be able to produce a smooth, rich sound. When you place your lips to blow, depending on how much air is used, you will produce either a high or low sound. To be a flute player, you need to practice playing high and low until they are both clear. Once you learn these basic steps to play the flute, you can go through beginners books to practice. You will notice that regular practice will help you learn to play the flute faster and with less difficulties. |
For more information & tips on how to play the flute, watch this video.