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Step 1
Choose your scale. If you're new to the flute, a basic C-scale or a B-flat scale is likely to your first. If you're a more advanced player, chromatic scales and scales for less-common keys help you master your instrument.
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Step 2
Learn the correct fingering. Nearly all instructional flute books have fingering charts that you can use for reference. If your book doesn't, fingering charts are available at any music store.
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Step 3
Start with the first two notes of the scale and practice the transition from the first note to the second with your fingers. Then repeat, actually playing the notes and not just the fingering. Repeat this process until you're comfortable with the transition and can play the two notes clearly.
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Step 4
Add another note, using the same process. When you can play the first three notes clearly, add another note and so on. If a particular sequence of notes gives you trouble, you can practice those notes alone until you're comfortable playing them, then go back and put it with the notes you have already learned.
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Step 5
Once you have all eight notes down, play the scale in reverse. Use the same techniques with sequences of notes you find challenging. Many scales have arpeggios tacked on to the end. Learn those too using the same process.
Comments
flutestar123 said
on 4/11/2009 Nice article! Knowing scales from memory is a must in order to try out for a Jr. orchestra audition. My teachers taught me scales differently. One teacher gave me a scale page. My other teacher (my current one) told me to figure it out with my ear.