Learning the flute can be exciting, and playing your first song is one of the most rewarding feelings you can experience. Unfortunately, learning how to play the flute can seem impossible if you don’t know where to start or what to do next. This guide on how to master the flute will help you with everything from choosing your instrument and practising proper posture to memorizing scales and avoiding common mistakes made by beginners. Once you have read this article, there won’t be anything stopping you from learning how to master the flute.
What is Flute Instrument?
The flute is a woodwind instrument that produces sound by blowing air past a thin metal. It is typically made of wood, but can also be made from plastic or other materials.
The player does not touch the flute with their hands. They hold it on their lap and change the pitch by changing how they blow through it. There are different types of flutes, such as piccolo, alto, tenor and bass flutes.
- Piccolo: The piccolo is a higher-pitched version of the flute. The two can be used interchangeably in music. But some composers prefer piccolo flutes for higher passages and flutes for lower passages. The piccolo is a versatile instrument that can be used in both classical and jazz compositions.
- Alto: The alto flute is a type of woodwind instrument that is higher pitched than a normal flute. The body of this instrument can be made from different types of wood, but it is usually either made from brazilwood or hard maple. The keys on an alto flute are also wooden, and they are typically made from either ebony or rosewood. This type of instrument also has a larger headjoint than other instruments in its family.
- Tenor: The term tenor refers to its range, which is about an octave higher than that of a regular soprano or alto flute. Tenor flutes are often used in orchestras because their sound is less piercing than that of a regular soprano or alto flute.
- Bass flutes: A bass flute is a type of woodwind instrument that has a deep and rich tone. It is often used in orchestras and chamber groups as a replacement for the bassoon.
How to Master the Flute in three easy steps
Learning how to play the flute can be overwhelming, but it does not need to be difficult. But these tips will help you become a better flautist and get you closer to mastering this elegant instrument.
1. The Basics
If you want to learn how to play the flute, you will need a flute. Typically, there are two types of flutes that beginners use: the transverse or alto flute and the tenor or bass flute.
The transverse is smaller and easier for children, while the tenor has a fuller sound. It also has more keys which means that it takes more time to master.
Some people recommend learning on the tenor, but in the end, it is all about personal preference.
Size of Flute:
As for what size flute you should purchase, it depends on your hand size (larger hands require a larger instrument) and your budget. Generally speaking, those with smaller hands should buy an alto while those with larger hands should buy a bass.
Your budget may influence this decision as well. For example, if money is tight and you are not sure whether or not you are going to stick with the flute, then an alto would be better for you. Because Alto flutes are cheaper than basses. To find the best flutes for you, read this guide on best flute for beginners.
However, if money isn’t much of a concern then get whichever type of flute you prefer. It really doesn’t matter in the long run.
2. Intermediate Flute Playing
Playing the flute is a complex skill that takes many years of dedication and practice. With that said, there are some basics you can work on at home that will help you become a more skilled and confident player. Here are five steps for intermediate flute players to master.
- Start with good posture and breathing techniques to get ready for your practice session. Good posture helps your lungs function better which leads to greater air supply and endurance when playing.
- Keep your head up so that you’re looking forward at all times, not down on the floor or out into space.
- Get comfortable sitting in your chair, placing your feet flat on the ground and keeping your back straight. It is important to take care of yourself by giving yourself enough time before playing as well as stretching during breaks.
- Hold onto both corners of the mouthpiece so that it doesn’t slip out of place or fall off while you are playing.
- In order to sound notes, create a hole by pressing the tongue against the lower lip (or metal reed). Blow across this hole to produce sound waves through the mouthpiece and vibrate air in front of it. Experiment with different positions on how you hold your tongue against your lip until you find what feels most natural for you.
3. Advanced Flute Playing
- Learn How To Breathe Properly: Learning how to breathe properly is essential for playing any wind instrument. The flute requires a different technique than other musical instruments, but when you get it down, your sound will be clearer and more resonant.
- Listen and Practice: Listening is one of the best ways to learn how to play a song or recognize patterns in a song. Playing with others will also help you develop your skills and increase your repertoire.
- Practice and Exercise: Finally, practising scales and exercises are an important part of developing your technique. The more time you spend on these aspects of practice, the better player you will become.
Remember that there is no right or wrong way to do things. Just keep at it and you will get there.
Tips and Tricks
- Practice every day for 20 minutes. Choose a time of day that is most convenient for you and make it a priority.
- Start with scales, arpeggios, and basic music theory so that you can build your foundation before moving on to more complex pieces of music.
- Find an instructor or friend who plays the flute and ask them if they will give you feedback as you progress in your practice.
- Write down what you have learned in order to keep track of your progress.
- Focus on one piece at a time rather than trying to learn many songs at once.
- Record yourself playing the song and critique yourself afterwards. This will help you recognize any weaknesses or mistakes and allow you to work on them.
- Play with others regularly. This will help improve your coordination, technique, speed, rhythm, tone quality, tone production skills etc.
- Ask questions when you don’t understand something.
- Learn how to read music notation by memorizing the names of each line and space on the staff.
- Look up new techniques online, find tutorials that explain the techniques clearly, and try them out during your practice sessions.
- Watch videos online or listen to recordings of famous flautists performing; study their technique by watching their breathing patterns and noting how they hold their instruments while performing various techniques.
Conclusion
The flute is a beautiful instrument that has been around for centuries. To learn how to play it, you need patience and a lot of practice. It is not an instrument that can be learned in just a few days or weeks, so it is important not to get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Keep practising and one day you will be able to play your favourite song on the flute.
