How to hold the flute correctly, in 5 STEPS!

[@theninjaofmusic]

I've been playing for almost 15 years. I have arthritis in multiple joints in multiple joint and stopped playing almost all together because I cant play for more than 20 minutes without lots of pain. This is something I wish I learned when i was first starting. I made 2 little adjustments about the placement of my thumbs and I no longer feel like I need to squeeze my instrument to keep hold of it. So for any beginners make sure you get this right. It will make you better and playing with pain is no fun.

[@JaneFluteSchool]

So glad your flute posture has improved Bulldoggamer!

[@DrawingTechnical]

Great. I look forward to learning with you. I've just had my flute for a few days and managed to make a sound with it finally.

[@JaneFluteSchool]

That's awesome you've just picked up the flute! 😀

[@DrawingTechnical]

@@JaneFluteSchool Thanks. After a few more days, I've managed to play a bit of a song, however, I don't know how to make a consistent sound with the upper section of the flute. For example, B,A,G is nice and easy. but when I go further up the flute pressing those buttons, the sound doesn't come out anymore. Any ideas?

[@johnfederspiel2806]

Hello Jane, thank you so much for sharing your talent and teaching skills to the whole world. I live in Wilmington, North Carolina USA and I'am learning from you every day

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Aww you're very welcome! Glad to hear you're enjoying the videos! 😊

[@glamourgirl.178]

Hello, as an intermediate player, I found this only to have extreme trouble playing my B and 2nd octave D notes, is this for right handed people? If so, how do I adjust so it fits me as a leftie? Thank you!

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Hi there, 😀 The flute is held the same way whether you're a right handed person or a left handed person. To fix the stability of the flute when playing, you need to establish the three points of contact on your flute and body a bit better. Use your right hand thumb, left hand index finger (base of the finger on the side, soft part of finger) and your embouchure. Your right hand thumb should push forward, whilst your left hand should push towards yourself when playing. Jane goes into more detail of the stability of the flute inside The 45 Day Flute Transformation course. Here's the link in case you're interested in joining The Flute Academy. flute.school/academy

[@floooffycesssa]

Tysm!! My fingers and back don't hurt anymore!! 💖💖

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Yay! So glad I could help you with your flute posture!

[@kalpeshsalot7431]

Hi Jane, I am left handled and very beginner. Please suggest should I hold flue left side pointing or right side. Thank you so much nice video.

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Hi there, The flute always points to the right, no matter if you're left handed or right handed. All the best with beginning your flute journey! 😀

[@LightOurDirection]

Hello Jane, Im 26 and just bought a flute! subscribed!

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Yay that's awesome to hear you're just starting out on your flute journey! 😍

[@WarisKhan-yu1zy]

Love to hear you, Your way of explanation with a beautiful smile. May God bless you

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Oh that's lovely of you Waris! :)

[@geralynpalacol9295]

Thanks so much Jane!!🥰🙏🙏🙏. Perfectly explained!!!🥰🥰🥰

[@JaneFluteSchool]

You're very welcome! 😊

[@AnnatheMusicGal]

I got my first flute 2 days ago, I’m a string player as well and understand the importance of properly holding your instrument. I’m so glad I found this video so that I can learn the flute the best I can! Thank you so much for making this video!

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Wow that's awesome! All the best for your flute playing journey! 😀

[@AnnatheMusicGal]

@@JaneFluteSchool Thanks!

[@assaflevitin]

So glad I watched this brilliant explanation right at the start! Thank you so much

[@JaneFluteSchool]

You're very welcome Assaf! Glad it helped you!

[@RainbowsDinomasks]

Thanks!

[@JaneFluteSchool]

You're welcome! 😊

[@terrymorannnjjui6481]

Great fingering and posture instruction.

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Hilda1513]

Thank you so much. I am a very beginner and I am so happy that I came across this video. Thank you.

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Glad to hear my video was helpful! 😊

[@carlosrivera7400]

Thx a lot👍

[@JaneFluteSchool]

You're very welcome! 😊

[@72secondprize]

That's really helpful. Thank you. x

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Glad it was helpful 72!!

[@วียุทธ]

ขอบคุณมากครับ เป็นเทคนิคที่ดีมากๆ

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@lotsabirds]

Im a retired tenor, now teaching myself the flute! This is gonna be interesting! Thank you!

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Ooh nice! All the best for your flute journey! 😊

[@lotsabirds]

@@JaneFluteSchool Thank You Very Much!

[@emilyvh8672]

What do i do if i have shorter fingers and cant reach some of the keys?

[@JaneFluteSchool]

If you're talking about the foot joint, you can turn the foot joint inwards (towards yourself when playing). This will help you be able to reach these keys on the foot joint with your right hand pinky finger. 😀

[@emilyvh8672]

Thanks! 🙂

[@SufyMusic]

is that an alto flute or are you petite

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Hahaha! I guess I must be petite!

[@reoscorpio]

Hello Jane... i want you to know this lesson was excellent. i just got a Flute brought to me by FedEx (a little more than an hour ago).. and i had already watched 2 other KZbinrs explain how to put the Flute together, blow the first sound, and hold the flute.. but there was no real clarity in where the fingers should go/it was told, but not shown exactly (there are those who are great at doing things, but not all are talented at showing and teaching).. so i put my Flute down disappointed.. Then i came back here on KZbin and typed "Holding the Flute correctly" and your lovely face popped up.. and i watched patiently.. & Wa'Lah.!!!! your clear instruction.. and how you demonstrate it directly on camera.. it's like you're spoon feeding a baby. & for a straight Flute Beginner (who plays other instruments - guitar, keyboard, and harmonica), its like you made the sun reappear after a storm. Your a natural teacher.. Thank you so much.. i clicked the thumbs up, subscribed and will be watching and learning more from you.. Take care, God bless you

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Wow Reo - your comment is loaded with compliments! Thank you! I'm so glad the video helped you hold the flute more easily now. Good luck with your learning!

[@chiyokohayashi425]

This video has been very helpful but my right thumb hurts maybe because I have too much tension. Is there any way to do fingers sketches for pain?

[@JaneFluteSchool]

That's no good about a sore right thumb - you could look into trying what's called a "thumb port" from flute shops. I know people who have used them and it really helps their comfort in their right hand. Good luck!

[@chiyokohayashi425]

@@JaneFluteSchool thank you for your advice. But i still having trouble covering the third hole in my left hand. I think I'm not curving my fingers correctly. Does the left thumb has to be fully straight ?

[@Mikeshawtoday]

Great. I wasn't bringing the flute up to me. Thank you! A great tip.

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Good to hear Mike! It's super sneaky. Even a teensy bit can affect your jaw and neck (pain), so keep an eye out for it, just in case.

[@mjpapa19]

I can keep the form and bring it up to my face. My biggest challenge is keeping it there. Seems like the flute keeps wanting to roll back towards my face. The overall setup of correct flute posture feels like balancing on a unicycle, but with your hands. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong

[@JaneFluteSchool]

To fix the stability of the flute when playing, you need to establish the three points of contact on your flute and body a bit better. Use your right hand thumb, left hand index finger (base of the finger on the side, soft part of finger) and your embouchure. Your right hand thumb should push forward, whilst your left hand should push towards yourself when playing. I go into more detail about this inside The Flute Academy. Here's the link in case you're interested. 😊www.flute.school/academy

[@莲花-b8f]

this would be my 6th year playing the flute and i found out i've been holding it incorrectly this whole time😭

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Glad I could help you correct your flute playing posture. 😀 In The Flute Academy I go into more details about the proper techniques of flute playing. We'd love you have you join if you're interested. You can find out more information here. www.flute.school/academy

[@Galvao-i9u]

Olá boa tarde tudo bem. Parabéns pelo seu trabalho no KZbin. Acompanhado sempre seus vídeos. Preciso muito de sua ajuda a respeito da embocadura. Gostaria de ter uma aula online com vc. Pelo Skype. Aguardo seu retorno abraço Deus continue abençoando.

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Hi Galvao - I just did a crash course in Portuguese (hehe - Google Translate), and thank you for your lovely compliment! i'm sorry that I don't do Skype lessons - I'm just too busy looking after my students in my Flute Academy (www.flute.school/academy). If you'd like to do a free course with me to help your sound, you can join me here: www.flute.school/free Good luck!

[@Galvao-i9u]

@@JaneFluteSchool Olá boa noite tudo bem,muito obrigado por responde minhas msg,muito feliz por falar com vc,vou olhar com calma para poder estár estudando com vc. Parabéns pelo seu trabalho e conto com sua ajuda. É quando vir ao Brasil vamos tocar juntos e tomar um café. Aguardo seu retorno 😉

[@loriyoung8692]

That's exactly how I hold it

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Good on you Lori!

[@bobdownes162]

NEVERr hold the flute body when removing the Head. Especially if it is a flute made of silver. There is a great danger of bending the Rods and Kework.

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Yes you're correct! I always tell my students to hold the parts of the flute that doesn't have keys when assembling and disassembling the instrument. 😀

[@loriyoung8692]

My music teacher said it's wrong

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Oh that's no good Lori! If your teacher is telling you a way that feels more comfortable to you and you can move your fingers freely, then do what they say! You'll always have my videos to help you if you need clarification in the future.

[@erikjames1012]

For a beginner video, you did not even address how to make sure the tone hole is lined up correctly. I would think that deserves a step.

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Hi Erik, I have other videos that address this topic in more detail. This video was just a quick overview on how to hold the flute, not how to get a sound out of the flute. Check out my free tiny course on tone if you haven't done so already as I have tips in here about embouchure. 😊 www.flute.school/free

[@kalyssaBland]

That does not make any sense😤

[@JaneFluteSchool]

Oh no! Sorry to hear that. 😢 If you need more details and further explanation, you're welcome to join me inside The Flute Academy. Here's the link in case you're interested. www.flute.school/academy