The flute is a wind instrument that was popular in the early 14th century. This instrument produces a soft sound like a flute. When compared to other musical instruments, the flute is relatively easy to play, making it the right musical instrument for children or aspiring musicians.
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Method 1 of 4: Getting Ready
Step 1. Buy a flute
For beginners, you can start by buying a plastic flute which is not too expensive. Plastic flutes are usually used by children at school because these flutes are very easy to maintain.
- Once you've mastered the basics of playing the flute and still want to keep playing, you can buy a better and more expensive flute made of wood. Wood flutes usually sound more beautiful than plastic flutes, but they can also be more difficult to maintain.
- Wooden flutes and plastic flutes can be purchased at well-known musical instrument stores or online.
Step 2. Assemble the flute
Usually the flute consists of three parts, the top for blowing, the middle with holes for the fingers, and the bottom which is shaped like a bell. Join these pieces together by gently twisting them.
- The bottom flute should be turned slightly to the right so that the hole looks slightly tilted to the right when you play it.
- Certain flutes used in schools are usually only one part.
Step 3. Learn how to hold the flute
Take your flute and place the blower on your lips. Hold it gently between your lips and hold it with your fingers for balance. Hold the top of the flute with your left hand.
- The back of the flute with one hole should be pointed at you. The front should be facing forward away from you.
- Do not bite or let the blower touch your teeth.
Method 2 of 4: Mastering the Basics of Playing the Flute
Step 1. Practice blowing the flute
Blow your flute to identify what it sounds like. You have to blow it gently. Try imagining you are blowing to make little balls. Blowing gently while keeping the air flowing is a very important technique but the most difficult to master once you start playing the flute.
- If you blow too hard, you will produce a shrill and unpleasant sound. Blow gently so that the sound that comes out sounds like music.
- Breathe from your diaphragm and blow in an even flow to keep the sound consistent.
Step 2. Learn the technique of placing the tongue correctly
When you sound a note on the flute, you must start and end the sound with your tongue. Stick your tongue against the roof of your mouth behind your teeth. The sound must begin and end here.
- To do this, try saying the word "dut" or "dud" when you sound the tone. This technique, called tongue placement, will produce a note with a clear beginning and end.
- Be careful not to make a "dut" or "dud" sound as you play. These words are only used to help you master the correct tongue placement technique.
Step 3. Play the first note
The first note that is usually learned is B. Start by closing the hole in the back with the thumb of your left hand. After that close the top hole in the front which is just below the blowing place with the index finger of the left hand. Use the thumb of your right hand to balance the position of your flute. Now try blowing the flute through the hole stuck to your lips while remembering the words "dut" or "dud" earlier. Succeed! The sound you produce is a B note.
- If the pitch is muted, or the sound is high-pitched, make sure your fingers are properly covering the holes of the flute in a horizontal position.
- Another reason for the high-pitched sound may be that you are blowing too hard.
- Keep practicing the B note until you feel comfortable playing it.
Step 4. Understand the guidelines for placing the finger
There is a simple guide used to show the notes on the flute. This finger placement guide consists of the numbers 0 through 7, where 0 represents the left thumb, 1 represents the left index finger, 2 represents the left middle finger, and so on.
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For example, the B note you just played would be represented by the following finger placement guide:
0 1 - - - - - -
- Each number represents a hole that was closed and a minus sign represents a hole that was left open. In this example, 0 means your thumb is in a position to close the hole on the back of the flute, and 1 means your left index finger is closing the first hole.
Step 5. Learn the left-handed notes
The first notes you will learn to play with your left hand are the B you just played, A and G. The next two notes you will play with your left hand are C' and D'. The apostrophe in the upper right corner of this note indicates that these are high notes.
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To play A:
Use the same position for the B note, but this time you place your left middle finger on the second hole from the top. The finger placement guide for A is: 0 12 - - - - -
- To play G: Use the same position for the A note, but this time you place your left ring finger on the third hole from the top. The finger placement guide for G is: 0 123 - - - -
- To play C': Cover the hole in the back with your left thumb, then place your left middle finger on the second hole from the top. Finger placement guidelines for C' are: 0 - 2 - - - - -
- To play D': Leave the hole on the back open then place your left middle finger on the second hole from the top. Finger placement guidelines for D' are: - - 2 - - - - -
Step 6. Learn the notes using your right hand
The first notes you will learn to play with your right hand are E, D, and F#. The next two notes you'll learn to play right-handed are F and C. These two notes can be a bit tricky for beginners because there are a lot of holes to cover at the same time.
- To play E: Cover the hole at the back with your left thumb, cover the three holes at the top with your left index finger, left middle finger, and left ring finger, then place your right index finger on the fourth hole from the top and your right middle finger on the top. fifth hole from the top. The finger placement guide for E is: 0 123 45 - -
- To play D: Use the same position as the E note, but this time place your right ring finger on the sixth hole from the top. The finger placement guide for the D note is: 0 123 456 -
- To play F#: Use the same position as the D note, but this time lift your left index finger on the fourth hole from the top, leaving the other fingers in their respective places. The finger placement guidelines for the F# note are: 0 123 - 56 -
- To play F: Place your left thumb on the back hole, your left index finger, left middle finger, and your left ring finger on the top three holes, your right index finger on the fourth hole, your right ring finger on the sixth hole, and your right little finger You're on the seventh hole. The finger placement guide for the F note is: 0 123 4 - 67
- To play C: When playing a C note, all seven holes must be completely closed. Your left thumb covers the holes on the back, your left index finger, left middle finger, and left ring finger cover the three holes at the top, and your index, middle, ring and little fingers cover the bottom four holes.. The finger placement guide for the C note is: 0 123 4567
Step 7. Try practicing playing a simple song
Once you've mastered all these notes, you can combine them to play some simple songs:
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Song Mary Had a Little Lamb:
- B A G A B B B
- A A A
- B D' D'
- B A G A B B B
- A A B A G
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Song Twinkle Twinkle Little Star:
- D D A A B B A
- G G F# F# E E D
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Song Auld Lang Syne:
C F F F A G F G A F F A C' D'
Method 3 of 4: Mastering Higher Techniques
Step 1. Practice playing high notes
How to play the high notes is a bit more complicated. To play a D' note, a technique called "partial opening with the thumb" is required. Close the 2/3 to 3/4 holes in the back of the flute using the tip of your thumb. Press your lips together and blow a little harder than usual.
Step 2. Learn the half notes
Half notes are notes between one note and the next, like the sound produced by the black keys on a piano. You've learned one of the most famous half notes, F#. The next two half notes you should learn are Bb and C#'.
- Finger placement guidelines for BB are: 0 1 - 3 4 - - -
- Fingering guidelines for C#' are: - 12 - - - - -
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You can practice these half notes by playing a short song called Baa Baa Black Sheep:
D D A A B C#' D' B A, G G F# F# E E D
Step 3. Try doing some vibration
Once you've mastered how to sound the notes, move on to learning vibrational techniques. The existence of vibrations will make long notes play so that it gives a pleasant dynamic effect. There are several ways to do this:
- Use the diaphragm to create vibrations. Regulate the flow of air into the flute by tightening and contracting your diaphragm muscles. Say "heh heh heh" but don't cut off the airflow.
- Do a tremolo with your tongue. Say "yer yer yer yer yer yer" using your tongue to regulate the airflow.
- Vibrate with your fingers. Vibrating with your fingers is not the right way to create flowing vibrations, this is usually called short or trill vibrations. Move your finger alternately between one note and the next higher note. Don't stick your tongue out every time you change notes, but sound the sequence of notes A B A B A B A in quick succession.
Step 4. Do glissando
This technique is done by sliding the fingers slightly away from the flute in a fast and repetitive motion so as to create a flowing sound.
Method 4 of 4: Taking Care of Your Flute
Step 1. Clean your flute after each use
You should always keep the flute clean to keep it hygienic and always ready to use.
- Plastic flutes can be washed in the dishwasher or soaked in warm soapy water. Separate the parts before washing and rinse the soapy water thoroughly.
- The blowing area can be cleaned with an unused toothbrush or wire with fine threads (usually used for cleaning pipes.)
- Let your flute dry before playing it again.
- For wooden flutes, remove the flute parts and then dry the damp interior with a soft cloth.
Step 2. Keep your flute in the box
Storing the flute in its case when not in use can prevent cracking or damage to the top which is similar to a whistle, as the flute cannot be used again if any of the parts are damaged.
Step 3. Protect the flute from extreme temperatures
Protect your musical instrument from sudden changes in temperature or from direct sunlight, and don't leave it in a hot car or near a heat source. This applies to all musical instruments, not just wooden flutes.
Step 4. Learn how to clear blockages
Condensation from moisture that occurs in the air ducts in the flute can cause blockages. You can remove clogs on plastic or wooden flutes by grasping the joint at the top or putting them in your pocket to warm them up before playing.
- If any water collects in the air duct, seal the hole at the top of the flute with your hand and blow as hard as you can into the duct. This method will remove the water that has accumulated in the distilled.
- If it's still clogged, you can clear the air duct by making a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented dish soap with 3 tablespoons of water. Pour this cleaning solution into the flute, either through the holes on the top or bottom, and let it sit in the air ducts for a while before rinsing. Allow the flute to dry before playing again.
Tips
- If the flute is too high, don't blow too hard, and the holes should be tightly covered with your fingers. If it's still squeaky, adjust the blowing method until it sounds just the right tone.
- Close your lips when playing high notes and relax when playing low notes.
- Try to practice sounding each note well.
- Keeping your back straight can improve the sound produced.
- There's no need to spend money on music lessons unless you really want to learn to play the flute.
- If you still can't get a good sound when you blow the flute, it may be that the inside is too wet. Cover the largest hole and blow vigorously, or use a cloth that is twisted to get inside the flute and clean it.
- After being used for about 5 times, rub a little engine oil on the rubber at the joint. If engine oil is not available, use Vaseline.
- Listen to classical music like during the Renaissance to get a feel for what a flute should sound like. Music often brings out the sound of the flute.
- Playing the clarinet can also help your flute playing skills, and if you're starting with the flute, another good choice of instrument is the clarinet, because it plays, holds, and places the fingers the same way.
- Try to play the flute in an accurate way.
- Clean your flute every day.
