Flute playing possible if mute?

[Harmony~]

Hello!

I have a really quick question about something I'm unsure about. I've been meaning to pick up playing the flute for some time now, but I don't really know anything behind flute playing. I'm physically mute. Will this affect my ability to play the flute in any way, or is it unrelated?

Thank you!

[pied_piper]

I don't think it should be a problem for basic flute playing. If you are able to blow air (i.e. blow-up a balloon or blow out a candle) and have normal lips, you should be able to play a flute. Have you ever tried blowing into a bottle and making a tooting sound? The lip position is actually quite different, but at the highest level, it is similar to playing a flute. Some extended flute techniques (i.e. humming while playing the flute) may not be possible for you if you are unable to produce sounds from your vocal folds, but that has nothing to do with standard flute techniques.

Before investing in a flute, try one. Visit a music store or if you know someone who plays, ask them to let you try a flute to find out if you can make sounds from the instrument.

[Harmony~]

I don't think it should be a problem for basic flute playing. If you are able to blow air (i.e. blow-up a balloon or blow out a candle) and have normal lips, you should be able to play a flute. Have you ever tried blowing into a bottle and making a tooting sound? The lip position is actually quite different, but at the highest level, it is similar to playing a flute. Some extended flute techniques (i.e. humming while playing the flute) may not be possible for you if you are unable to produce sounds from your vocal folds, but that has nothing to do with standard flute techniques.

Before investing in a flute, try one. Visit a music store or if you know someone who plays, ask them to let you try a flute to find out if you can make sounds from the instrument.

Thank you very much! It's a internal birth defect in my vocal folds that prevents me from speaking or making sounds, but it doesn't affect my ability to blow air at all. I'll take trip to my local music store as per your recommendation and try out a flute before purchasing one!

Once again, thank you very much! I appreciate it!

[Classitar]

Welcome and Good Luck Harmony!
Have you played an instrument before?

[Harmony~]

Welcome and Good Luck Harmony!
Have you played an instrument before?

I have! I've been playing piano and violin since I was quite young. I mostly avoided wind instruments due to my being mute, but I've come to realize that it might be possible to play some types!

[Classitar]

Excellent!
Hope to hear about your adventures