how long til i can play more than 10 minutes at a time ?!!!!

[alli_smiles]

I can play the other instruments i play for days and days... But I am new to the flute, and while i have lucked into a really nice flute, I can only practice for 10 or 15 minutes at a time before my fingers hurt and mouth quits blowing notes notes ...No problem with breathing thanks to playing native american flute, penny whistle and recorders for a long time...I am using the accent on acchievement book 1 and have fingering diagram for all the notes...lowest to highest as well...(not using that yet, trying to follow the book and focus on each new note and producing a good sound every time- so far I am averaging 3 good notes for every bad one, and that is getting better- i played 6 before my mouth messed up one)...What is the average time it took all of you to work up to a half an hour, and an hour of practicing?

[fluttiegurl]

My first question is do you have a teacher? I ask because it sounds like you are pushing too hard on the keys or have poor hand position (or both) if your hands hurt. Chances are, you are doing something wrong if you are experiencing pain. As for not getting the notes to come out, try playing on your headjoint before putting the flute together to experiment with placement. Also, watch yourself in the mirror and look for 1) Making sure your mouth opening (aperture) is not too big/small. 2) Make sure the keys are facing up and not too far in (assuming the flute is lined up properly). 3) Watching for pinching of your mouth as you play. Are you changing anything as you go? and 4) Are your fingers very high off the keys and are you slamming them down (relating to hands hurting).

It is very hard to tell someone what they are doing wrong without seeing them play, but it sounds as if you have some problems or you would be able to get up to at least a half hour pretty quickly. I highly recommend looking for a teacher to get you started, even if it is just for a few lessons. People can certainly learn on their own, but it is very easy to learn things incorrectly that are very difficult to correct later on.

[alli_smiles]

No formal teacher as of yet- I called a friend who corrected how i was holding the flute...(I was unconsciously turning inward to check my fingering-it is not automatic yet as it is counter intuitive to the instruments I have played before.)She has played for 10 years but does not teach. She said to work on not looking at the keys just feeling where my hands should go would help. My hands do bother me a little all the time as i had carpal tunnel- The surgery corrected it to the point where I am not injuring the nerve but The tendon that is a stabilizing bar in both hands has been cut, so my thumbs have to have a lot more strength to hold my flute without dropping it. I was thinking about getting the two finger/thumb saddle things I saw to help with this, but don't want to "cheat" if its going to hurt my playing in the long run. I am hoping that like playing the native american flute, and the piano my hands will adapt to this too :-)

[fluttiegurl]

A thumb saddle is certainly not cheating if it helps you out. I also recommend a right wrist brace when you play for long periods of time. That will give added support.

[vampav8trix]

I play with a thumb port. I can't hold the flute properly without it. I have double jointed thumbs and I broke my hands once. The bones are not straight.

I personally like the thumb port that you can get a flute world. It is made of soft rubber and does not leave scratches on the flute. I have found that other brands can leave scratches on the flutes.

[alli_smiles]

Thanks! I will check it out :-) I knew someone was going thru what i am or has gone thru and has a solution!

[Dannan]

I can play the other instruments i play for days and days... But I am new to the flute, and while i have lucked into a really nice flute, I can only practice for 10 or 15 minutes at a time before my fingers hurt and mouth quits blowing notes. . .

I'm also a Native American flute player/performer (studied with R. Carlos Nakai) and played classical recorder for many years.

Playing orchestral flute is really different and I've spent considerable time watching the excellent training videos available on this website, which are part of your membership benefits. The teacher is excellent and I never hesitate to repeat my viewing of these videos.

I'm also using a very good beginner's book, "How to Play the Flute" by Howard Harrison. I purchased my copy from Amazon.com and this book, in conjunction with the fluteland.com videos, have helped me tremendously. I'm learning how to hold the flute correctly and am progressing with forming my embouchure so that I now get clearer notes for increasingly longer periods of time without tiring or "losing" the notes.

[alli_smiles]

Its always a pleasure to meet someone facing similar challenges....I am doing better these days....Practicing scales and sliding notes.....I can now play about 1/2 hr to 45 minutes before my fingering or notes suffer....I am doing well with the lowest register except C and F. If i start with D, play a full scale in the lowest register and come back to it, I can play C....But I can't start with it and reliably produce a good tone yet for the lowest C otherwise.... With F- I sometimes slide into a middle register unintentionally- so I am practicing sliding between to correct that...I am improving though! I actually was able to noodle around on it and play a simple song like when I first took up native american flute....That was encouraging! :D

[Dannan]

That's great, Alli ! Keep up the good work - I haven't progressed as far as you have, but I'm working on it.

[alli_smiles]

I wouldn't say that! You are doing it the right way- slowly and methodically- Any really good flute teacher would probably consider listening to my notes torture- not to mention my neighbors...(apt living- gotta love it) But on a good day-its starting to sound like music, and my fingers know where to go.

[Flutebook]

If you were my student, i'd ask you to try less. It's an unusual request, mostly people ask us to try harder. But give it a shot -- less effort, feather fingers. Even your legs can contribute to tension, thus cutting short your practice. So either sit down, even rest your back against a small pillow at the back of the chair. Or if you are standing, give some attention to your legs, your arms, your back, your neck. Ask your neck over and over to be soft, to be neutral while you play. Best of luck.

[flutepower]

Hey,
I've never heard of someone with this type of problem, but if your fingers hurt, perhaps your fingers are bruised or need some TLC. Also, I recommend wearing an wrist band when playing. For the flute blowing problem, do you have a book that shows you how to put your flute pieces together? If not, you should check to make sure you've put your flute together correctly.

Frankly, I have just began to play flute after I received a flute for a Christmas present. I've began with just blowing on the mouth piece for 15 min. periods until I got the hang of it, then I moved on to the flute itself. I recommend the book "HOW TO PLAY THE FLUTE" by Howard Harrison. I am using this book in addition to this course and it is excellent!!! Currently, I practice for 45 min. per day.

Do let me know if you need more help, but I am limited, being just a beginner. :)