Fantastic Flutes
The flute is a fantastic instrument. It is the first band instrument I learned to play way back in the fourth grade and it is still my personal instrument. This page is all about playing the flute.
Making a sound on the headjoint
Making a good sound on the flute is a bit tricky. Remember to keep the corners of your lips firm and make the opening for the air very small right in the center of your lips. Watch the videos below for step by step examples. Then use your mirror to practice on your own.
STEP 1: Say "mmm" and blow air through your lips STEP 2: Put your finger on your chin and blow again
STEP 3: Practice blowing three times (or more) STEP 4: Put your headjoint on your chin and blow again
STEP 5: Turn your headjoint in or out slightly until you get a sound. Be patient. This takes some practice!!
STEP 1: Say "mmm" and blow air through your lips STEP 2: Put your finger on your chin and blow again
STEP 3: Practice blowing three times (or more) STEP 4: Put your headjoint on your chin and blow again
STEP 5: Turn your headjoint in or out slightly until you get a sound. Be patient. This takes some practice!!
FluteEmbouchureStep1 from Deborah Katz on Vimeo. Step4 Headjoint from Deborah Katz on Vimeo. |
Step2 FingerOnChin from Deborah Katz on Vimeo. Step5 Turn the headjoint from Deborah Katz on Vimeo. |
Step3 Try3Times from Deborah Katz on Vimeo. |
Assembling your flute safely
Follow the steps below to put your flute together safely. Be careful to hold the flute at the places without keys as you do this. To take your flute apart just reverse the steps. Click on each picture in order.
Playing your first 3 notes
Now that you can put your flute together and make a sound, it is time to figure out what keys to press down for each note. You find this out by using a FINGERING CHART. It's really simple. The chart has circles for each key that you press. If a circle is colored in, you press that key down. If the circle is NOT colored in, that finger stays up. Here are some examples: