How to Learn to Play the Flute

What does Jethro Tull, your local marching band and the London Symphony Orchestra have in common? They all use the flute to create their music. A popular and versatile instrument, the flute dates back to before the year 900. Today, musicians young, old, experienced and beginner pick up the slim instrument and learn its enchanting ways.

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the three parts of the flute. The head joint has the lip plate you blow into. The body joint contains most of the keys. The foot joint contains a few keys and is the smallest part of the flute.

2. Assemble the flute. Carefully fit the head and foot joints to the body joint without grabbing the key mechanisms. Align the key mechanisms on the body and foot joints.

3. Practice proper lip placement on the lip plate. Your bottom lip rests on the lip plate. Blow across the open hole on the lip plate.

4. Practice proper finger placement. Notice the center of the keys. Your fingertips should cover the inner circle of the keys.

5. Practice the proper playing position. Hold your left elbow parallel to the floor. Hold your right elbow perpendicular to the floor. Square your shoulders. Sit or stand straight without slouching.

6. Repeat blowing across the hole in the lip plate. You must be able to consistently make clear tones from the mouthpiece before you move on.

7. Learn the different key and finger positions. A beginner's instruction book provides charts and sketches. If you plan to begin lessons with an instructor, knowing key positions ahead of time is a big help.

Tips & Warnings

• Take flute lessons if you are a beginning instrumentalist. Lessons teach you the basics you need to successfully play the flute.

• Before purchasing a new flute, borrow or rent a flute while you learn the basics. Invest in the instrument after you are certain you want to continue with the flute.

• Handle your flute carefully. The flute contains many tiny rods and pins in the key mechanisms that bend and break easily.