This page was created to share tips about starting out on the flute, piccolo, alto flute, or bass flute. If you have a tip of your own that is not mentioned here, please e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks!
Getting an Idea
Getting a Sound
Hand Position
Next Steps
Tips
Starting Piccolo
Piccolo Tips
Alto and Bass Flutes
Why play a big flute?
*Getting an Idea* - If you are just beginning to play the flute, you can do something to make it easier to play even before you have the instrument! Obtain a 1 liter plastic pop bottle (the smaller pop bottles). Blow across the hole to make a sound. This will help you understand how to make your first sound on a flute. *Getting a Sound* - When you get the flute, try to get a sound out of the headjoint only. Think of it as blowing across the pop bottle. Look in a mirror as you do this. If the flute is shiny enough, you may be able to see the vapor from your air on the lip plate. Try to keep your air going across the hole only, and not around the hole. Once you get a decent sound out of the headjoint, put the flute together and try it again, without fingering any keys. Don't worry about balancing the flute on your hands (more on that in the next paragraph) - just get a sound with the flute put together. Once you do this, finger a D and get a sound. Try to get a beginning book for fingerings.
*Next Steps* - Acquiring a flute teacher or player to help you is the next best step. They will be able to help you correct bad habits. If you cannot take lessons, buy a beginning book and learn a lesson a week. Strive for perfect practice, no matter what (Only perfect practice makes perfect!). Listen to famous flutists, and get pictures of them to see how they hold the flute and to see their embouchure (mouth position).
*Tips* - One thing to keep in mind - you should always feel relaxed when you play the flute and piccolo. The lip plate (raised part of headjoint) should not be held tightly against your lip. Your fingers should be flexible so you can play faster. When you feel completely relaxed, you will play your best.
*Starting Piccolo* - If you want to play piccolo (you should if you want to go to college for flute), the best thing is to start out on flute. Then, the only thing you will have to worry about is a new embouchure (changing the shape of your lips), since you already know the notes.
*Tips* - Playing the piccolo is nothing like the flute (other than the fingerings!). The piccolo is a "touchy" instrument- most notes will not be in tune. I suggest working with a tuner and playing the notes so you know which ones are flat or sharp (corrected by rolling the piccolo out or in a little, or changing the air stream flow). You will have to get to know your instrument and learn the pitch of each note. For more information, please go to my Piccolo Page.
*Alto and Bass Flutes* - If you want to play the bass flute (octave lower than the flute, in C), the fingerings are the same. Your embouchure needs to be open on the bass. The alto flute (in G) has the same fingerings, too, but the note C on the alto sounds like the note G on the regular flute. Again, I suggest starting out on the regular C flute before attempting these flutes.
*Why play a big flute?* - These flutes are fun to play! If there is a flute choir (group of flutists that play different parts to make great music) in your area, see if you can join. Most choirs have alto and bass flutes, and you might get to play one of them! Playing these lower flutes is the only time you can play a low bass part on a flute :-) (and they say all flutes are high!)
I hope this helps you on getting started on any of the members of the flute family. If you still have a question, don't hesitate to send it to me at [email protected].
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