Holding flute for C2

sinebar · Post by **sinebar** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:47 pm

I find it very difficult to hold the flute while playing C2. Should I support the flute with my left thumb or with the right hand only? Either way is awkward.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:05 pm

The flute should not be supported by the left thumb, but by the joint of the left index finger and the palm. Right at the base of the index finger. Then you have the right thumb, right pinky, and chin to help you balance (some players will use more of some of these than others). If you push outward with your right hand, and just support the flute as if it were on a shelf (the base of LH1), you should have no problems. Perhaps talking to another more advanced flutist (even a talented high school player) could show you where you've gone amiss.

sinebar · Post by **sinebar** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:25 pm

flutepicc06 wrote:The flute should not be supported by the left thumb, but by the joint of the left index finger and the palm. Right at the base of the index finger. Then you have the right thumb, right pinky, and chin to help you balance (some players will use more of some of these than others). If you push outward with your right hand, and just support the flute as if it were on a shelf (the base of LH1), you should have no problems. Perhaps talking to another more advanced flutist (even a talented high school player) could show you where you've gone amiss.

Oh yeah! that works great. Thanks a million Flutepicc06. I think I am leaning more towards getting a few lessons.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:23 pm

sinebar wrote:
flutepicc06 wrote:The flute should not be supported by the left thumb, but by the joint of the left index finger and the palm. Right at the base of the index finger. Then you have the right thumb, right pinky, and chin to help you balance (some players will use more of some of these than others). If you push outward with your right hand, and just support the flute as if it were on a shelf (the base of LH1), you should have no problems. Perhaps talking to another more advanced flutist (even a talented high school player) could show you where you've gone amiss.
Oh yeah! that works great. Thanks a million Flutepicc06. I think I am leaning more towards getting a few lessons.

No problem! I'm glad that worked so well for you!

I would definitely encourage you to go for at least a few lessons. There's so much to learn, and getting a solid grasp of the basics will make everything after seem much easier. It would be a shame to try to learn double tonguing or trills when the flute is not even stable in your hands! A good teacher can help IMMENSELY.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:49 pm

flutepicc06 wrote: I would definitely encourage you to go for at least a few lessons. There's so much to learn, and getting a solid grasp of the basics will make everything after seem much easier. It would be a shame to try to learn double tonguing or trills when the flute is not even stable in your hands! A good teacher can help IMMENSELY.

I can attest to that statement. A good teacher can do wonders with your playing if you are willing to work hard. I started taking lessons in December of my senior year in high school to prepare for my music major auditions. In the time frame of 3 months I went from a very decent high school level flutist to quite a sturdy collegiate level flutist. True, I still have a lot to learn, and have learned quite a lot as a music major, but the results of a good teacher, and good work ethic did wonders with my playing, and got me a full scholarship to one of the best music schools in my state. So, I DEFINATELY reccommend lessons. IF you have a good teacher, you will learn a lot, and have a lot of fun.

Alex_C · Post by **Alex_C** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:24 pm

This is where I'm thinking some lessons might be a very good idea too!

This note is easy to blow, but hard for me to hold the flute for, I'm just starting out, and I realize now how I could build up bad habits that could be a lot harder to get rid of later. Better go to a teacher now.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:08 pm

Alex_C wrote:This is where I'm thinking some lessons might be a very good idea too!

This note is easy to blow, but hard for me to hold the flute for, I'm just starting out, and I realize now how I could build up bad habits that could be a lot harder to get rid of later. Better go to a teacher now.

Absolutely! A good teacher can work wonders!