Instrument Spotlight: Flute

Instrument spotlight: Flute: 

Instrument spotlight: Flute May EDU 290

A little history…: 

A little history… Baroque Period = flutes finally popular 19 th century added keys Boehm’s flute was altered by Cooper Flute that is used today

Parts of the Flute: 

Parts of the Flute 3 main Head Joint Body Foot Joint Each has similar, specialized parts

Head Joint: 

Head Joint Air blown over embouchure hole Lip plate rests on top Crown and cork at closed end Back wall on lip plate

Body: 

Body Tone holes cut in tube Keys are pressed Rods and springs help everything move Keys restrict air to make sounds

Foot Joint: 

Foot Joint Different for different flute levels C foot or B foot Gizmo key favored Can create differences in tone stability

Take Care!: 

Take Care! Take apart and swab after use Do not drop! Keep away from dryness and moisture Be gentle! Be nice to your lips

Posture: 

Posture Keep fingers curved Stand with feet apart Relax! Upper body faces music stand

Embouchure: 

Embouchure Good embouchure = better sound Relaxed, pouted lower lip Top lip tighter Focus air for better tone

Breathing: 

Breathing Good support for better sound Breathe deep, expanding lungs Practice controlled breathing Relax throat Open mouth when breathing

Using your fingers: 

Using your fingers Don’t slam the keys Work on finger dexterity Muscle memory for faster fingers Learn alternate fingerings Makes playing easier

Techniques: 

Techniques Vibrato creates warmth in sound Dynamics create contrast Double tonguing needed for fast passages Use of air pockets

Some flutists to listen to: 

Some flutists to listen to James Galway William Kincaid Fredrick Kuhlau Laurel Zucker

Performance advice: 

Performance advice Be confident! Give friends a mini concert Tune carefully Listen to yourself when playing Dress comfortably

Want to get better?: 

Want to get better? Practice! Take private lessons year round Practice some more! Attend clinics and master classes

Photo Credits: 

Photo Credits Heather May, Flute1, Sept. 20 2011, Creative Commons Attribution. Heather May, Flute2, Sept. 20 2011, Creative Commons Attribution . Heather May, Flute 3, Sept. 20 2011, Creative Commons Attribution. Heather May, Flute4, Sept. 20 2011, Creative Commons Attribution . Laurel Zucker , 2004 via laurelzucker.com , used with permission.