Producing a Sound on the Flute
 

 
 

Begin with the headjoint alone. Hold the headjoint with the left hand and cover the open end with the right palm.

The mouth is centered on the mouthpiece with the lips blowing partly above and partly into the embouchure hole.

Breathing from the diaphragm, blow a gentle, concentrated stream of air through the embouchure hole. Roll the headjoint in and out to determine the angle that will produce the best possible sound.

Let the air part gently through the lips. The corners of the mouth should be slightly drawn back as if saying the word "pooh" with a slight smile.

When playing a note, keep the tip of the tongue behind the upper teeth. Say "tu." (The tongue should never extend through the teeth as in the word "the.") 

The Correct Playing Position for the Flute

Sit up straight on the edge of the chair with both feet on the floor. This posture aids in breathing from the diaphragm.

The flute is held horizontally (slightly lower on the right.)

The fingers are rounded and placed just above the "home keys." Play on the tips of your fingers.

The thumb of the right hand should be directly under the 1st and 2nd fingers.

Wrists should not be held inward.

Do not rest the flute on the shoulders or shrug shoulders when playing.

Since the lips must center over the embouchure hole at all times, it is acceptable to slightly tip the head. 

 

Interesting Facts About The Flute

The flute is one of the oldest instruments in existence today. It probably originated over

2,500 years ago, somewhere in Central Asia.

Members of the flute family were held either transverse (to the side) or in front (similar to the clarinet.)

Artwork dating back 2,200 years showed evidence of a transverse flute (held to the side).

In the 12th century, flutes were popular in the military.

Flutes had only tone holes until the late 1600's when the Baroque flute was made.

The Baroque flute had seven tone holes and one key for the little finger of the right hand. It was made of wood and built in three different sections.

Theobald Boehm, a German flutist, redesigned the flute in 1847. He adjusted the spacing of each tone hole giving each note the same tone quality.

Boehm added a key system which made the flute easier to play and made the tone louder.

Flutes are played in bands, orchestras, chamber ensembles, woodwind quintets and some jazz bands.

Flutes are usually made of silver or silver alloy. They are sometimes made of nickel, wood, platinum and even gold.

Types of flutes include the piccolo, alto flute, bass flute and contrabass flute.