Greetings;

I'm just starting with the flute.
So I have some beginner questions.

1. What may I ask is the correct way to hold the flute when playing C above middle C?

Details: When playing other notes, that require the thumb to press a Key, I am using the thumb to support the middle joint of the flute. a. How do I support the middle joint of the flute when my thumb is not used to press the keys. b. where should the thumb be placed in this instance.

2. Just a general question - should there be the sound of air against the embochure plate when a person is blowing into a flute? or should there be no sound air against the embochure plate it at all?

3. How long does it take an average student to develop the embouchure to play the first note on the flute?

QUOTE

a. How do I support the middle joint of the flute when my thumb is not used to press the keys.

Flute should be supported in 3 places generally:
1. at mouth
2. LH at the front of flute pushing your flute towards your mouth (which balances force pushing your flute forwards at mouth piece. Sorry for bad explanation, physics is not my strong point)
So the very top of the palm of your hand just under your 1st finger should have your flute sitting on it, made easier if you bend your finger so your knuckle is facing away from you and bend your finger. So cabasically it makes a little C shape.
3. RH thumb either supporting your flute underneath (in line with the key which changes a G to an F. OR just behind the flute pushing it forwards so that the thumb can not be seen when looking front on (a mirror is useful for this). But this has to be approached with caution! because apparently putting your thumb here if your flute has most of the mass on this thumb, the rods can begin to bend.

QUOTE

u]b.[/u] where should the thumb be placed in this instance.

On which hand? For RH look at the previous question
For LH just sort of hovering above the Bb and B thumb keys, having your flute resting like how i described in the last question makes this easier!
Sorry for rambling, and I hope you can make some sense of my post!

Helen

Hi,

Helen's described it well, but I think she's mixed up the right hand and left hand!

That is a good point... Thanks!

Hi!
To your question 3 (sorry, I haven't worked out how to quote yet): I started on a yamaha plastic mini-flute that was really great for developing the right embouchure. That way I had no trouble at all when I got a real flute (after a few weeks of practising on the plastic one). Maybe you could buy one of those if you're having trouble?

QUOTE (july @ Nov 22 2004, 04:57 PM)

(sorry, I haven't worked out how to quote yet)

Click on the little quote button on the top left of the post

Thanx, didn't see that