I'm just starting with the flute, and I'm experiencing the (I guess) two main common problems among flute beginners: breathing and holding the flute.
A thread was already opened on the first subject, so I'm asking for advice on the second one.
Oops. I hope I'll be able to explain this. Here I go:
As a whistle player I tend to hold the flute as if it was a low whistle, i.e. I put my fingers straight on top of the flute, using only the thumbs to let the flute rest on them. I realised that's not the proper way of holding the flute, as it moves when the fingering requires to lift the finger that's covering the 'B' hole.
I suppose the proper way of holding the flute is bending your forefinger in order to cover the 'B' hole (which means you have to cover the first three holes just with the fingertips) and bending the thumb as well around the tube, so you can 'embrace' it and hold it tight, but I tried that way and found it extermely uncomfortable.
Any advice on that? Is it hard for a player switching from whistle to flute?
Every fluter I know changed the way they hold the flute at least twice in the time I've known them. This ought to be fun to watch. *grin* Go ahead, you fluters, entertain me. Heh.
The flute is held in place by your left hand (the knuckle of the first finger) pressing it gently against your chin, and stabilized by the thumb of your right hand. With keyed flutes you can keep the right pinky down on the D# key in most notes to help; with non-keyed flutes, you just have to trust; it won't fall.
you can check out www.flutesite.com. There are photos there showing ways to hold the flute. There are a couple of options--either the one described above, or the piper fingering that it sounds like you're using. If you don't have keys, don't really plan on getting keys, and feel comfortable with the grip you're using, it's probably fine.
Toni, you and I seem to be on the same learning curve. I'll pass along what I've recently learned in the spirit of one beginner to another, familiar with the same difficulties.
In my first three lessons, my flute teacher gave me the following tips on holding the instrument in a position that works for her (35 years of playing) and me (3.5 weeks of playing):
1. Stay relaxed. Your fingers shouldn't *press* down on the holes but rather just cover them with their own weight.
2. Form a three-point support for the flute: your chin, your left index finger and thumb, and your right thumb. The flute rests in the curve made by your chin and lower lip. Then you make a little shelf with your left thumb--almost directly under your left index finger tip on the L1 hole, with the thumb flexed back a little so the flute rests on the pad you would use to push in a thumb tack. The flute also rests on the pad on your palm at the base of the left index finger. For your right hand, just relax your thumb and let it hold the flute just under your right index finger (somewhat "tucked" under beneath the R1 hole).
3. Turn your face slightly to the left so the lower end of the flute angles away from your body at about 45 degrees--this was an important step for me to help keep my hands and wrists in a relaxed position. It helps to think of keeping your fingers pointed "down" the flute a bit, rather than straight (perpendicular) across the flute.
4. Instead of "gripping" or "holding" the flute, think of standing under it and simply letting it rest there.
The plus side of all this is that going back to that low whistle suddenly makes it feel so easy!
P.S. I really like my Seery flute. Great tone, good volume, and fairly easy to blow.
Will, yeah it seems so, but you're some miles ahead of me.
I know I should get a teacher, but unfortunately I haven't enough spare time, and the very little I have I need it to practice new tunes with the whistles. But anyway I try to dedicate at least 15 minutes (not of fame, he, he) to the flute every day, which I know it's not enough. So I'll keep teaching myself (with a little help of The Session mates) even though it'll take longer than it should. There's no rush, though.
I once had the chance of triying a Seery flute, and one of my local session mates has one, and it is indeed a lovely instrument, but I don't feel ready for jumping to it. Yet.
Toni, the only miles between you and me are the ones across the globe. You should hear me attempt to play a tune on the flute...not yet a pretty thing.
Actually, 15 minutes a day is good--I'm finding I can only go about 10-15 minutes before my lips start to wear out. So I've been playing in 10-minute installments 3 or 4 times a day. My embouchure is gradually starting to feel more comfortable and adaptable to what it needs to do to get the different notes, but it's going to be years before I'm winging through jigs and reels. Like you, Toni, I'm in no hurry, just enjoying the ride.
Will, I've been playing the flute now for 20 years and would just like to say your ability to explain in words the correct way to hold the flute is spot on.
To practice feeling totally comfortable with holding the flute I would suggest practicing being able to hold it with just your right hand and chin.
If you get the balance right you should be able to quite comfortably hold the flute by resting the mouthpiece lightly in the dip between your lower lip and chin and the support from your right thumb(positioned approximately under the hole covered by the first finger of your right hand) and your little finger of the right hand (which on a keyed flute should mostly be held down on the d# key or on a keyless flute just held lightly against the body of the flute.)
its a question of getting a feel for the three main forces in action
your chin and right hand should be lightly pushing the flute forward and your left hand (roughly in the centre) pulling back.
Thanks for the feedback F.G.D., I'm just passing along what my teacher told me. Coming from the fiddle, I was struck by how similar the right hand hold is between flute and bow, right down to the tip of the 4th finger. My flute feels like a big, thick bow stick!
I'll have to try your idea of right hand and chin alone to see if I can increase my comfort zone. Thanks for the tip.
holding the flute
holding the flute
I need help !
I'm just starting with the flute, and I'm experiencing the (I guess) two main common problems among flute beginners: breathing and holding the flute.
A thread was already opened on the first subject, so I'm asking for advice on the second one.
Oops. I hope I'll be able to explain this. Here I go:
As a whistle player I tend to hold the flute as if it was a low whistle, i.e. I put my fingers straight on top of the flute, using only the thumbs to let the flute rest on them. I realised that's not the proper way of holding the flute, as it moves when the fingering requires to lift the finger that's covering the 'B' hole.
I suppose the proper way of holding the flute is bending your forefinger in order to cover the 'B' hole (which means you have to cover the first three holes just with the fingertips) and bending the thumb as well around the tube, so you can 'embrace' it and hold it tight, but I tried that way and found it extermely uncomfortable.
Any advice on that? Is it hard for a player switching from whistle to flute?
What should I do?
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Toni Ribas
Re: holding the flute
Every fluter I know changed the way they hold the flute at least twice in the time I've known them. This ought to be fun to watch. *grin* Go ahead, you fluters, entertain me. Heh.
Zina
# Posted on February 27th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: holding the flute
I haven't! Should i *snort* here, Zina?
The flute is held in place by your left hand (the knuckle of the first finger) pressing it gently against your chin, and stabilized by the thumb of your right hand. With keyed flutes you can keep the right pinky down on the D# key in most notes to help; with non-keyed flutes, you just have to trust; it won't fall.
g
# Posted on February 27th 2002 by glauber
Re: holding the flute
you can check out www.flutesite.com. There are photos there showing ways to hold the flute. There are a couple of options--either the one described above, or the piper fingering that it sounds like you're using. If you don't have keys, don't really plan on getting keys, and feel comfortable with the grip you're using, it's probably fine.
# Posted on February 27th 2002 by aconnel
Re: holding the flute
Toni, you and I seem to be on the same learning curve. I'll pass along what I've recently learned in the spirit of one beginner to another, familiar with the same difficulties.
In my first three lessons, my flute teacher gave me the following tips on holding the instrument in a position that works for her (35 years of playing) and me (3.5 weeks of playing):
1. Stay relaxed. Your fingers shouldn't *press* down on the holes but rather just cover them with their own weight.
2. Form a three-point support for the flute: your chin, your left index finger and thumb, and your right thumb. The flute rests in the curve made by your chin and lower lip. Then you make a little shelf with your left thumb--almost directly under your left index finger tip on the L1 hole, with the thumb flexed back a little so the flute rests on the pad you would use to push in a thumb tack. The flute also rests on the pad on your palm at the base of the left index finger. For your right hand, just relax your thumb and let it hold the flute just under your right index finger (somewhat "tucked" under beneath the R1 hole).
3. Turn your face slightly to the left so the lower end of the flute angles away from your body at about 45 degrees--this was an important step for me to help keep my hands and wrists in a relaxed position. It helps to think of keeping your fingers pointed "down" the flute a bit, rather than straight (perpendicular) across the flute.
4. Instead of "gripping" or "holding" the flute, think of standing under it and simply letting it rest there.
The plus side of all this is that going back to that low whistle suddenly makes it feel so easy!
P.S. I really like my Seery flute. Great tone, good volume, and fairly easy to blow.
# Posted on February 28th 2002 by Will CPT
Re: holding the flute
Thanks everyone,
Will, yeah it seems so, but you're some miles ahead of me.
I know I should get a teacher, but unfortunately I haven't enough spare time, and the very little I have I need it to practice new tunes with the whistles. But anyway I try to dedicate at least 15 minutes (not of fame, he, he) to the flute every day, which I know it's not enough. So I'll keep teaching myself (with a little help of The Session mates) even though it'll take longer than it should. There's no rush, though.
I once had the chance of triying a Seery flute, and one of my local session mates has one, and it is indeed a lovely instrument, but I don't feel ready for jumping to it. Yet.
# Posted on February 28th 2002 by Toni Ribas
Re: holding the flute
Toni, the only miles between you and me are the ones across the globe. You should hear me attempt to play a tune on the flute...not yet a pretty thing.
Actually, 15 minutes a day is good--I'm finding I can only go about 10-15 minutes before my lips start to wear out. So I've been playing in 10-minute installments 3 or 4 times a day. My embouchure is gradually starting to feel more comfortable and adaptable to what it needs to do to get the different notes, but it's going to be years before I'm winging through jigs and reels. Like you, Toni, I'm in no hurry, just enjoying the ride.
# Posted on March 1st 2002 by Will CPT
Re: holding the flute
Hi
Will, I've been playing the flute now for 20 years and would just like to say your ability to explain in words the correct way to hold the flute is spot on.
To practice feeling totally comfortable with holding the flute I would suggest practicing being able to hold it with just your right hand and chin.
If you get the balance right you should be able to quite comfortably hold the flute by resting the mouthpiece lightly in the dip between your lower lip and chin and the support from your right thumb(positioned approximately under the hole covered by the first finger of your right hand) and your little finger of the right hand (which on a keyed flute should mostly be held down on the d# key or on a keyless flute just held lightly against the body of the flute.)
its a question of getting a feel for the three main forces in action
your chin and right hand should be lightly pushing the flute forward and your left hand (roughly in the centre) pulling back.
# Posted on March 6th 2002 by jasonhull
Re: holding the flute
Thanks for the feedback F.G.D., I'm just passing along what my teacher told me. Coming from the fiddle, I was struck by how similar the right hand hold is between flute and bow, right down to the tip of the 4th finger. My flute feels like a big, thick bow stick!
I'll have to try your idea of right hand and chin alone to see if I can increase my comfort zone. Thanks for the tip.
# Posted on March 6th 2002 by Will CPT