Cultivating Good Habits For Young Flutists

Hand Position

Both Hands:          1.    Hands form the letter “C”

2.        Fleshy part of fingers on center of keys

3.        Hold fingers directly above the keys ready to play at all times

Left Hand:             1.    Flute rests on the third knuckle of the first finger

Right Hand:           1.    Flute rests on the side of the thumb

2.        Thumb does not extend more than 1/4” past the flute

3.        Hands form letter “C”

4.        Thumb parallel to floor

Instrument Position

1.        Flute is held very slightly below level

2.        Tilted head to the right very slightly so that the hole in the embouchure plate and the hole in the lips are parallel

Posture

1.        Sit on the front edge of the chair

2.        Feet flat on the floor

3.        Back and head are erect

Embouchure

1.        Chin flat and stretched downward

2.        Very small air hole in center of lips

3.        Cheeks held in

4.        Try to aim air stream at the opposite edge of the hole in the embouchure plate

5.        Upper lip slightly firm

6.        Lower lip relaxed

7.        Corners of mouth firm

8.        Lips move slightly forward and together to obtain high notes

9.        Say the word “pure” to form embouchure

10.     Air stream same as blowing on hot soup

Breathing

1.        Breath through your mouth

2.        Lower chest expands, open chest cavity

3.        Shoulders do not rise when breathing

4.        Nice, full open breath

Throat Position

1.        Throat should always remain open as if yawning

Tonguing

1.        Use the syllable “two” or “doo”

2.        Tongue hits behind the upper teeth where the upper teeth meet the gums

3.        Tongue interrupts air stream

Tuning Procedure

Flat:                        1.     First – Check head cork position with cleaning rod

2.        Second – Push head joint in

3.        Third – Roll flute out slightly or raise head

Sharp:                     1.     First – Check head cork position with cleaning rod

2.     Second – Pull head joint out

3.        Third – Roll flute in slightly or lower head

­Care Of The Instrument

1.        Swab the flute after each use with a plastic cleaning rod and cloth

2.        Wipe off the keys frequently with a soft cloth

3.        Use Q-Tips for getting dirt around keys

4.        Once a month wash the head joint with a mild soap and cool water

Proper Alignment Of Joints

1.        Embouchure hole is in line with the three left hand finger tone holes

2.        The key rod of the foot joint is in line with the center of the keys on the middle joint