First day newbie embouchure question.

[Gav]

Hi folks,
Today is my first day picking up a flute.... Actually, It's my first day picking up any instrument, I'm 47 & although they say that an old dog cannot learn new tricks, I want to give it a try.

Age has taught me that you cannot build anything without a good foundation, so despite my nearest flute teacher being many miles away I shall be making the journey when I get some time off.
In the meantime I thought that I would work on my embouchure. After a little time this morning I could play a note on the headpiece just fine, so went on YouTube to see how to put the flute together & play my first note (D) & discovered that I couldn't find embouchure. After an hour I hit the note well once or twice but struggled to find embouchure again but when I went back to just the headpiece I can find embouchure every time. Is this common?
I have ordered a music stand to ensure that I shall remain with my head up & not looking down & a book that seems to be recommended on here called Trevor Wye: Abeginners book for the flute.

As for learning to read music, is flute music the same to read as say piano music or are they different?
Lots of second hand stores seem to have beginners sheet music for piano.... That said, I must remember about that good foundation I spoke of & not try and run before I can walk & try & get a note first!

[pied_piper]

It takes a little time to be able to center-in on the embouchure. Most likely what is happening is that when you try with the whole flute, it is causing you to pull the embouchure hole to the right and that is preventing you achieving a good, reliable sound. Practice in front of a mirror. Do it first with the headjoint only and then with the whole flute. Be sure that the head is in the same position relative to your lips with both the headjoint only and with the whole flute.

If you really want to get off to a good, solid start, take private lessons with a good flute teacher. Even one or two lessons will help you get started correctly. It's much more difficult to unlearn improper habits than it is to learn it right the first time.

Also, don't feel that 47 is a late start. I'm aware of many adults starting flute even in their 70s. It just takes a bit longer to learn but it certainly is possible - especially with good instruction from a private teacher!

[Gav]

Hi Pied Piper,
thank you for your reply & comment regarding, never being too old to learn.
One hadn't thought of using a mirror to check one's embouchure, I shall do so.

I am also taking the advice regarding taking tuition, however shant be attending a tutor until a fortnights time due to both their & my own work commitments but am really looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Thank you once more for taking the time to reply, Cheers!

[pied_piper]

You are quite welcome. Check in again and let us know how it's going!

Also, I recalled another resource that may help a beginning flutist. Read thru this and watch some of the videos that linked on that page.

http://www.jennifercluff.com/beginn.htm

[Gav]

Thank you Pied Piper once more, I found the link you gave to be most useful.
I now think that I have found embouchure as one can play certain notes but not others.
Simple notes such as A,B, & G are fine but when one tries to play a note such as D when many keys are depressed all one hears is air.
I have one week to go until my first lesson which will no doubt answer many questions but in the intrim one wondered if this could be an issue with weak or incorrect expulsion of breath?
Finest Regards.

[pied_piper]

You didn't mention if your flute is closed hole or open hole. Open hole flutes can be challenging because it's easy for a finger to slip off the hole and that makes it impossible to play any lower notes. Also, be sure to ask your teacher to try your flute. That way you will know if it is you or the flute causing the problem. There is nothing more frustrating to new flutists than a misbehaving instrument.

[Gav]

Thanks again for your reply Pied Piper,
The flute that I'm using is closed hole with an offset G to make things easier.
One must confess that it is a rather poor quality unbrandrd instrument borrowed from a colleague so perhaps it is indeed an instrument problem.
I have just ordered a new Trevor James 10x student flute ready for my first lesson so hopefully this will cure my woes. (One Cannot expect to do any job well without the correct tools)...... I should have known that when choosing an instrument to learn I would have been more in my comfort zone had I chosen the Triangle!
Cheers!

[LarryS]

I just found this thread, I'm a late beginner too (52), how are you getting on with your flute?