The flute is a wind instrument capable of playing some of the highest notes in an orchestra. Although it may seem difficult to play, you can easily start learning it. If you already have a flute and are perfecting your embochure, all you have to do is press a key to change the pitch. With daily practice, you can learn how to play the flute properly!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Stringing the Flute
Step 1. Buy or rent a flute from a music store
Try asking the music store staff for recommendations for the best flute for beginners. If you want to have your own musical instrument, we recommend buying one. If not, try to find out if there is a place or music store that rents out instruments so you can just borrow them when you need them.
- You can buy a beginner flute for IDR 750,000, but the quality is not the best.
- There are shops that offer rental to buy options, where you pay off the instrument over time.
Tip:
If you're still in school, try to find out if there are offers for students. This way, you can play in the school band without having to own a musical instrument.
Step 2. Slide the joint head to the end of the flute
The joint head is the part of the flute with a lip plate and a hole through which you blow the instrument. Remove the joint head and main body of the flute from the casing. Attach the joint head to the flute side by pushing and twisting it tightly. Push the joint head against the main body of the flute.
Avoid holding the rods or keys against the body of the flute when assembling a musical instrument as they can be easily damaged
Step 3. Align the hole in the joint head with the first key of the flute
Find the first key in the main body of the flute. Twist the joint head so that the mouth opening is parallel to the lock. Hold the flute at eye level and look at the body of the flute to make sure the holes are perfectly aligned.
If the holes are too far forward or backward, it will be more difficult to play the flute at full note
Step 4. Push the joint legs into place so that the metal pins align with the lock
The joint leg is the last part of the flute which has several stems and keys. Push the joint leg into the lower end of the flute and twist it until it fits tightly. Make sure the joint legs fit snugly on the main body. Turn the foot of the joint so that the long metal pin is aligned with the key under the body of the flute.
Step 5. Tune the flute by adjusting the joint head
Use a chromatic tuner or download a tuner app on your phone. Play the flute and check to see if it's soft or crisp, which means it's too low or too high. If the tone of the instrument is too high (kres), slightly twist and pull the joint head. If your flute is too low (mole), shorten the instrument by pushing the joint head further. Keep adjusting until the flute's pitch matches.
Part 2 of 3: Holding the Flute
Step 1. Control the lock closest to the joint head using your left hand
Find the first key at the bottom of the flute body, and rest your thumb there so your palm is facing you. Wrap the other fingers on the other side of the flute. Place your index, middle, and ring fingers on the second, fourth, and fifth keys, respectively. Rest your pinky against the side lock that looks like a spatula.
Use the arch between your thumb and forefinger to support the weight of the flute
Step 2. Use your right hand to control the key on the tip of the flute
Use your thumb to support the bottom of the flute. Make sure your palm is facing away from you so you can press the key easily. Find the bottom 3 keys in the main body of the flute. Place your index, middle, and ring fingers on each key. Use the right little finger to press the lock of the first leg of the joint.
- Keep your fingers curled so that your hand makes a C shape while holding the flute.
- Do not immediately press the key down. Instead, keep your fingers resting on them.
Tip:
Your fingers will not shift to other keys as you play. Never slide your fingers or press any other key so you don't miss a note.
Step 3. Hold the flute parallel to the floor
Sit on the edge of a chair so that your back is straight and your eyes are looking straight ahead. Keep your arms relaxed and away from your body as you raise the flute to your mouth. Make sure the flute is parallel to the floor rather than at an angle.
If you want to play the flute while standing, keep your feet shoulder-width apart and firmly on the floor
Part 3 of 3: Playing the Basic Tones
Step 1. Position the hole under the center of the lower lip
While you hold the flute parallel to the floor, position the lip plate under the lower lip. Balance the flute between the chin and lower lip for maximum support. Make sure the hole is directly in the center of the lips for the best tone.
If the holes are not aligned, the resulting flute sound may not be full when played
Step 2. Tighten the corners of your mouth while keeping your lips smooth and relaxed
Tighten the muscles at the corners of your lips, but not so tightly that your lips purse or muzzle. Suppose you say the letter "M" to get the right lip posture, aka embouchure.
Tip:
You can practice the embouchure using only the flute joint head if you don't want to use the full instrument straight away.
Step 3. Blow air from the center of the lips towards the hole
Open your mouth slightly as if you were going to say the letter "P" to blow air into a musical instrument. Inhale deeply in a controlled manner into the hole to play the flute. Air will flow through the body of the flute and produce notes.
- Do not open your mouth too wide so that air can flow into the flute.
- If you don't hear a sound coming out of the flute, try pushing your jaw slightly forward or backward to direct the airflow.
Step 4. Move your tongue back and forth to make short notes
While you are playing the flute, move your tongue as if to say "tu". This helps separate the notes being played from other notes so they don't sound like they are floating together. Alternate fast and slow tongue movements to transition between separate sets of short, fast and long notes.
Tones like this are called “staccato”
Step 5. Change the breath rate to adjust the pitch
Inhale deeply and exhale slowly through the holes of the flute to achieve a low note. Then, on the next puff, slightly tighten the corners of your mouth and exhale quickly to produce a higher pitch. Practice alternating high and low notes to expand your range as you play.
Make sure your lips stay smooth and unwrinkled to ensure you're playing at full tone
Step 6. Look at the finger chart to learn how to play different notes
A finger chart will help you learn how to play notes on a scale. Try searching for a finger chart according to the type of flute you have so you can figure out which keys to press for each note. Practice each finger as you play so that you become more fluent in switching notes.
Many flute guide books include fingering charts to help you
Tip:
Print out a copy of the finger chart so you can keep looking at it while you're still learning.
Tips
- Clean the flute after each play.
- Try taking private lessons to help improve your posture and play.
- Try to practice 20-30 minutes every day so you can continue to improve your technique.
- Find sheet music for the flute so you can learn to play certain songs.
- Always keep the flute in its case when not playing so it doesn't get damaged.
- Make sure you "warm up" the flute by playing a few notes before practicing, playing songs, etc.
