Posture

[notootsieno]

A few weeks ago, when I attended my sister''s all-district
band concert, I noticed the first chair flute for the 9th/10th grade band had
his flute lowered a little when he played. Are you supposed to hold it so that
it dips, or in a perfect upright position?

[fluteluversmom]

I was taught many years ago that the flute should be played
parallel to the ground. I remember my band teacher would walk through the flute
section and take a finger and lift up the ends of flutes that were not level.
Kim

[woof]

[quote] ---------------- On 2/23/2004 8:57:28 AM I was taught
many years ago that the flute should be played parallel to the ground. I
remember my band teacher would walk through the flute section and take a finger
and lift up the ends of flutes that were not level. Kim ----------------
[/quote] HOlding the flute parallel to the ground is the atheletic part of
playing a flute- supprising how tired your arms and shoulders can get. We should
invent a flute that plays like a clarinet!![:bigsmile:] [:bigsmile:] For me as a
beginner I think a lot of "loss of notes" occurs because of a "dipped" flutes. I
know I end up craining my neck to follow my flute as it dips after playing for
an hour.

[krichards]

You may laugh, but such clarinet-type flutes exist. A regular
flute with with an unusually curved headjoint. I've never seen or heard one...I
just stumbled across this website one day. Very strange looking. Check it out:
http://www.flutelab.com/vertical/vertical.htm

[fluteluversmom]

I agree. I seem to have a problem with my shoulder getting sore
if I don't practice regularly. I instantly know that my arm is dropping because
I will notice my tone slowly getting rough because the flute is dropping and of
course the tone hole moves right along with it LOL Kim [/quote] HOlding the
flute parallel to the ground is the atheletic part of playing a flute-
supprising how tired your arms and shoulders can get. We should invent a flute
that plays like a clarinet!![:bigsmile:] [:bigsmile:] For me as a beginner I
think a lot of "loss of notes" occurs because of a
"dipped" flutes. I know I end up craining my neck to follow my
flute as it dips after playing for an hour. ---------------- [/quote]

[fluteluversmom]

Now that is neat looking. I bet they would be useful in the
music therapy area !! Kim [quote] Check it out:
http://www.flutelab.com/vertical/vertical.htm ---------------- [/quote]

[damjan]

If the flute is slightly tilted down, that is fine, too. I
prefer that position as it is much more comfortable to play. Not very many
people will hold it completely parallel to the ground at it is most often just a
discipline excercise on teachers part. The important thing is that if you
slightly tilt your flute (not much though), your head needs to tilt, also, so
that there is a right angle between your head and the flute. This way you keep
the direction of air the same.

[sakuramimato]

Being in a marching band, most flute players are expected to
play with their instrument parallel to the ground, but it isn't required during
concert season. Most flutists in my band make it a habit to play parallel to the
ground because we were constantly punished in field season for poor horn angle.
There really isn't a difference in sound when playing parallel or "dipped" as I
have played both (dipped when I'm being lazy or there's a cramp/lack of arm
room). It's based more on personal preference, yet again.

[FluteDiddy]

Nothing majical about keeping a flute parallel to the ground.
Yes beginners are encouraged to do this as kind of a starting point. The attempt
is to keep the lips and flute in allignment, the ground has no affect on the
flute. If you look at pictures of famous flutists you will see all kinds of
positions and movements. As long as you keep it consistantly in the same
allignment you have done what is needed. Many players find tipping their head
more comfortable and then of course the flute and the ground will have a
different agle. In fact if you look at symphonies and recording artists they
rarely follow the rule we teach beginners. Further you will find that many even
break the rule of lips and lip plate being in allignment. Consciously or
subconsciously many top pros tilt their flute to in effect lengthen their flutes
embouchure hole(if you remember geometry and the triangle). Flute makers have
lengthened it over the years but what fits for one doesn't necessarily fit all.
Consistancy is the key. Find your sweet spot and stick with it. Naturally you
don't teach a beginner the exceptions, you teach them the rule and let them
learn what is right for them as they get good enough to understand it.

[Crazy]

[quote] ---------------- On 2/23/2004 4:24:42 PM If the flute
is slightly tilted down, that is fine, too. I prefer that position as it is much
more comfortable to play. Not very many people will hold it completely parallel
to the ground at it is most often just a discipline excercise on teachers part.
The important thing is that if you slightly tilt your flute (not much though),
your head needs to tilt, also, so that there is a right angle between your head
and the flute. This way you keep the direction of air the same. ----------------
[/quote] I happy to hear tilting the flute is ok as long as your head is tilted
the same amount. I find that's how I play best and for me it makes reading the
music easier. I have trouble with sight reading when I keep the flute
parallel.

[FluteDiddy]

Trust your ears. If you have good tone consistantly dont worry
about how you hold the flute. If your tone strays or isn't as good as you would
like then start trouble shooting for the cause.

[johnbegud]

F-diddy, you are right! I can now play the flute tilted down,
blowing diagonally on the embouchure hole. It reminds me of sax players with
their sax in that position. vic

[SaraBeth]

HOlding the flute parallel to the ground is the atheletic part
of playing a flute- supprising how tired your arms and shoulders can get. We
should invent a flute that plays like a clarinet!![:bigsmile:] [:bigsmile:] For
me as a beginner I think a lot of "loss of notes" occurs
because of a "dipped" flutes. I know I end up craining my neck
to follow my flute as it dips after playing for an hour.
-------------------------------------------------------- They do make a
headjoint that allows you to play flute by blowing accross the hole while
holding the flute like a clarinet. They have these at Drelinger.com I hope you
enjoy this.

[Dance4Him]

You may laugh, but such clarinet-type flutes exist. A regular
flute with with an unusually curved headjoint. I've never seen or heard one...I
just stumbled across this website one day. Very strange looking. Check it out:
http://www.flutelab.com/vertical/vertical.htm

Wow, that is really cool. I'll bet it is alot easier to play! [/code][/quote]

[Dance4Him]

If the flute is slightly tilted down, that is fine, too. I
prefer that position as it is much more comfortable to play.

I actually find it easier to play with my flute tilted slightly. I get a better sound. But then again I could just be wierd!