How to Play the Flute

The flute produces a soothing, resonate and welcome sound. One of its masters is Jean-Pierre Rampal, a French flautist of historical renown.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Two-liter Soda Bottles

Tone Production

1. Use a small soda bottle & blow easily producing a steady sound while keeping the corners of your lips firm and the cheeks flat.

2. Control the direction of a steady stream of air finding the correct angle that produces sound. This exercise transfers to the flute.

3. Take your flute mouthpiece section off the body of the flute.

4. Place the mouthpipe opening on your closed lips so that the hole equally touches your top and bottom lips.

5. Roll the mouthpiece down and away, keeping contact with your lower lip.

6. Do the candle-blowing exercise so that a steady pitch is produced.

7. Insert the mouthpiece section back into the instrument& bring the flute into "playing position."

8. Depress and hold down the three top keys with the left hand plus the thumb key & blow producing a second line G on the treble clef.

9. Use a deep breath & maintain this sound for three seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• The side of your left index finger (at the knuckle joint) will touch the flute and provide support for the instrument where it touches your lower lip.

• Avoid putting pressure on the instrument with your hands that might crush the natural shape of your lips.

• Avoid blowing with high speed air.

• If you get dizzy, stop blowing.

• Protect your instrument from others wishing to use or experiment with it.