holding the flute

[nikkinaz]

I have just bought my first flute and can make a sound
with the head joint but the minute I assemble the whole flute my sound
disappears. Is this normal in the beginning ? Also I feel so clumsy when I am
holding the flute, any tips holding the flute ? Please help ![8)]

[damjan]

Dear Nikki, It is harder to produce a tone on the
assembled flute since the air needs to travel more so you need to provide more
air support. Also, it depends on which note you are attemting to play. You
should start with low G, A and B. Anything below G will be hard to play in the
beginning. Also, make sure you are playing the correct fingerings and keep your
lips in a tight smile for that register. Video lessons on Fluteland.com discuss
these basics in great detail and if you do not have a teacher it might be of
great use to you. It is important to learn the basics correctly. Good luck and
just keep practicing!

[flutietootie4lyfe]

I agree with damjan, but I suggest that you start with
a regular B flat. My suggestion for holding the flute in whic my band teacher
taught me was that make sure your flute is resting on you index finger right at
the joint where your finger starts and make sure your not moving themouthpiec or
resting it on your shoulder once it's in your flute!![:)] good luck!

[sweetensour]

when i was in 8th grade, i tried my friend's
open-holed flute for the first time and i couldn't even get a sound. it just
takes some getting used to (open or close-holed), imagine giving a trumpet to a
person who's played the flute for a long time. yeah.... it's getting late so
maybe i'll just stop. =)

[BandSlave]

Hey there, I just wanted to add my two cents...more
like two pesos...Anyway, when I learned to play the flute, I found it very
awkward, so I had my sister help me, what you can do is just practice holding it
and covering the keys with your hands, practice moving them around a bit to make
the notes (fingering the notes) and keep practicing on the headjoint
(mouthpiece). Once you have that down, try putting it together and playing a
note. It'll be hard at first, but after a LOT of patience, I'm sure you'll
get a note out, then practice other notes, then scales, then you'll be a
wonderful flutist! -Abby =w=

[Tachugar]

i basically say that all u have to do is practice
blowing with the whole fute a normal b a or g. the flute has three main holding
points -the headjoint=the lips -below the b key -finally your thumb under the f
key you should be able to hold it only with these points and no fingers i used
to practice over the bed so in case it fell there was no problem... hope its
useful![;)]

[nikkinaz]

Thanks for that Abby - I am slowly getting the hang of
the sound, with the headjoint.[;)]

[nikkinaz]

A bit of good advise is great especially when one is a
beginner !! Thanks [:)]

[BandSlave]

No problem. I was pondering minoring or double
majoring with music as a minor or major. But I'm not sure that'll work out for
me. Keep on practicing, I do it almost every day, sometimes even more than once
a day. Keep your lips in shape as well as your tounge. Whenever you have a
strong emotion, practice and play a song that matches your mood, it'll help you
with style when you get more advanced and never stop playing, I've got to make
you promise me that! I stopped for a very small amout of time, a few months, and
I was wrecked after it. It took me so long to get back in shape and to feel the
same. You get emotionally attached to the music and it's a truly wonderful
thing. I hope you feel the same way I do about it. Rock on, Nikki!! -Abby
=w=weezer=w=

[nikkinaz]

Hi Abby I really do love music and all kinds. Your
words are really very inspirational. And I shall promise to keep on playing and
practicing and I shall not give up – it is all worth it. Good luck with your
college decisions (if I have that right). And keep us all posted as to what you
will be doing.[:bigsmile:] Cheers Nikki

[BandSlave]

Why thank you, Nikki, for such a lovely compliment!
I've truly become a music missionary, LOL. Anywho, I've acually made my
college decision, and I will be attending St. Louis University next year. I
doubt I'll be majoring or minoring in music, but you never know. I'm glad you
promised me that, it makes me feel like I've made a slight difference in your
musical career and I'm sure you'll be a wonderful flutist (pronounced
Flute-ist NOT flaut-ist, what is a flaute?)! Are you still a student? I hope to
keep talking to you and I hope one day to hear about your playing in a symphony!
I'm sure it will happen, and please, don't quit a piece of musical literature
because it is hard, my band director has us playing more advanced music
(compared to most high school bands I've heard) and I realized this year that
this is quite possibly the last time I will ever have the fortune to play with
such accomplished musicans and such "high brow" music. I hope you have the luck
to play some of the pieces we're playing, they are truly remarkable. I also
wish for you to have the opportunity to try out other instruments as well, I
have learned how to play a one octave scale on the clarinet and I can make
sounds out of, quite possibly, every instrument available in my band. It is
truly an amazing feeling to play another instrument, you can see their strengths
and weaknesses when they start playing that instrument and that will help you
realize your own, maybe. I wish you the most luck and have fun, above all else,
you Must have fun! Sincerely Yours, Abby[;)]

[ASL-Lexicon]

Hi Nikki, I just joined and read your message. I
started learning the flute four weeks ago and I am having the same problem. I
did find the video lessons in Fluteland.com helpful. Since watching, I have
improved some. [:sun:]

[flute friend]

Hi!!! I know its hard in the beggining to play the
flute but you will catch up soon!! I started playing about 5 months ago and it
was hard at first but keep trying and it will all come at the right time!! [:)]
[;)] [:halo:]