I have an adult pupil who has just started flute. He plays nicely and is making quite quick progress; however, he has real trouble supporting the flute. I have been trying to discourage him from resting his RH middle three fingers on the edge of the flute when they're not in use. He has quite long fingers too. As soon as we get to playing C, the whole thing just slips.

Part of the problem as far as I can see is that he grips the instrument too hard and we have been trying to cure this. This isn't something I've come across before....any ideas?

David

If the flute is really slipping, I would try to work on his balance while playing a C#, rather than C, as it is easier to see if anything is going wrong with right hand thumb and left hand index finger. Also, see if you can gently push the flute away from his mouth (end of headjoint) while he is blowing an easier note - this shows up any excess tension in forcing the flute against the lips. Perseverance is probably needed but don't let him rest any right hand fingers against the flute!

You could try a Solexa Thumbport, available from JustFlutes in the UK and possibly other places too. They really encourage a good RH thumb position, and let the novice player concentrate on other things rather than just steadying the flute. I know that they are used increasingly by more experienced and/or professional players as they free the right hand considerably. I've just managed to acquire one for my alto too - absolutely essential for the size of this flute, to my mind.

I was looking at these thumports on the JustFlutes website the other day and toying with the idea of getting one for the very reason you state - freeing up the right hand. I didn't buy one at the time because I thought of the old saying, 'bad workmen blame their tools', but if the pros are starting to use thumports as well, they must be worth having.

How do you find using the thumbport andante? : it sounds like I'd find one useful.

I don't use one on my ordinary flute, because my thumb sits quite comfortably in that position (my side of the flute, pushing the flute away, thumb pointing towards the headjoint) without it. I keep forgetting to put the alto flute one on until my hand starts cramping!

Thanks for that andante. I may well see if one would be good for me, when I get a shiny new flute

I might be looking at shiny new flutes this week, Or, more probably, shiny new headjoints.

eeee shiny new flutes

eeee shiny new headjoints

I must get a shortlist drawn up...

(sorry David for the off-topicness, back to topic...)