old beginner with the shakes

[fluteguy18]

Hmm.... If you havent already, I would talk to your doctor to see if there might be any sort of medication you can take [if you arent on any for this problem].

I dont know of any sort of prop or stand for a flute to use while playing.... You could try buying a flute in the key of Eb. It is smaller, but still bigger than a piccolo. That *might* do the trick. Otherwise, the only solutions I can see [without getting extremely creative] would be to either go strictly piccolo, or get the UpRite headjoint so you can play it sort of like a clarinet.

You could adjust your playing position [having the flute at a lower angle so your arms are even closer to your body]. But this will require you to also move your head in agreement to the new angle. There is a headjoint available that is curved at a 30 degree angle that brings the flute a lot closer to your body. But, as you have already said, buying headjoints like that are typically pricey.

[c_otter]

A couple of different headjoint options:

http://flutelab.com/
I don't know anything about the above products, but they look interesting.

http://www.drelinger.com/

Good luck

[fluteguy18]

Headjoints can be fitted to almost any flute. So, if you do decide to get a different headjoint, and then in the future get a different flute, the headjoint can be fitted to the new flute quite easily by a competant technitian.

Otherwise, I have no idea. I am sorry that I can't be of any more assistance.

[fluttiegurl]

I would recommend contacting someone like Pat at Cincinnati Fluteworks who specializes in customizing flutes. She may have delt with a similar situation and can customize your flute to fit your needs. Her web site is www.fluteworks.com You can find her email there.