POSTURE - flute TUTORIAL

[@KathyGerrard]

Thank you for this insight into posture I am a 70 year old with some arthritis I have been playing for 1yr and working on grade 3. This has helped so much with playing without pain

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

I am delighted to hear that, Kathy - thanks for letting me know! Happy flute-ing!! ☺️

[@수달이-i3n]

thank you. I am a flute player in Korea. Since I started playing the instrument late, I barely received any basic education, and I ended up playing only the songs one after another. It seems that 18 years have already passed since I played an instrument. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ms. Emily, who taught me exactly how to breathe in through my stomach, not just inhaling into my stomach. Although my body is hardened as soon as it hardens, I will try my best to perform better by practicing the correct posture from now on. Thank you so much it brings tears to my eyes.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Thank you for your message - I am so happy you find the video helpful. ☺️

[@percyvolnar8010]

Wow! Ive been a fan of Emily's for many years now here on youtube... And I must say, seeing her from head to toe is to realize that the creator of all things has been good to her. I think it might be time for a "Yoga for flutists" video series from Emily. It would be nice if we could all be as fit as you and have that vibrant energy that you have. Please Emily, think about this! :)

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Hi Percy, I’m so glad you are enjoying the videos - thanks for watching! I am indeed a big fan of yoga but am sadly not a qualified yoga teacher!! 😂

[@donaldmacgregor2545]

Brilliant thank you; I watch this video regularly as you are easy to watch, clear in your descriptions, speak slow enough and seem to keep your ego away from your instructions, no easy feat. Credit where due, your tone on your performance videos is intimidating! Self taught and a bit of a hack, I have been playing for decades and have developed many physical ailments with ageing including arthritic fingers, right hip and rotator cuff injuries from a crash. I want to continue playing as long as I can breathe and have always stayed as fit and healthy as possible. I do daily yoga exercises for my overall posture and wellbeing and am wondering if you can suggest more exercises for the whole body that contribute to better fluting. I'm sure you have good suggestions and my right shoulder is looking forward to feeling better already. I have bought a thumb support for my flute. It is very helpful. This video is wonderfully encouraging and I'll watch it many times more I'm sure. Thank you Emily

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Hi Donald, thanks for your kind words - I’m so happy you found this video useful! In terms of other flute-friendly exercise, I would suggest anything in the yoga (yin perhaps), tai-chi, Qigong direction or swimming! Happy flute-ing!!!

[@gladedweller]

Just tried playing against the wall….wow, what a huge improvement in sound immediately!!! 👍👍

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Great to hear! Thanks for letting me know 😄

[@yuyasumitani2083]

Thank you very much for the Japanese subtitles. I'm struggling with the pain in my right pinky finger when practicing the flute, so I'm referring to this lecture. While I can maintain a relaxed posture during long tones, I find it difficult to maintain it as I start playing music or faster phrases, gradually tensing up and losing a relaxed posture. (Is it important to continue being conscious of relaxed posture?) However, I believe in striving to be able to play various passages freely, even starting at 28 years old, such as those in "FANTASIE PASTORALE HONGROISE, OP.26".I am truly grateful that I can learn the wisdom of wonderful flute players like you for free, anytime and as many times as I need. I eagerly anticipate recitals in Japan. From a flute enthusiast in Japan.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

I’m sorry to hear hear about your pinkie pain but I hope that this video helps! Until your new, relaxed hand position is completely normal, yes - do set a timer to check every 5 or 10 minutes. If you have been playing with too much tension for a long time (many years) then you will need to keep reminding yourself very often just how relaxed your right hand can be! Good luck 👍

[@arjandekwant5864]

Dank je Emily! Dit was precies de informatie waarnaar ik vroeg enige tijd terug. Deze les gaat me zeker helpen!

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Wat fijn om te horen, Arjan!

[@corinedeleeuw3837]

Thank you for this very helpful tips. I hope my babyfinger will stop to have pain with your tips about the handposition. I also like the bodyscan to stop the stress before i start playing.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Glad you found these tips helpful! All the best and thanks for watching 🙏

[@raulcostadavila1961]

I'm delighted with your video project. A dynamic project and very well produced, creating natural interest, with simple explanations, objective and efficient. Congratulations and Bravissimo ! Thank you

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Thank YOU, Raul! I am so very happy to hear that you are enjoying my video project! 😄

[@marcosavalente]

Thank you so much. I started playing the flute in this year of pandemic and neck pain is one of the big problems for me. Wonderful class.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Hi Marcos, welcome to the flute players club but sorry to hear you have neck pain. Try practicing standing against a wall and/or look into taking some Alexander technique lessons - that’s helped me enormously! Good luck!

[@juliachen3700]

you are awesome emily! thanks for all the wonderful tips you share on your channel. one thing i'd like to say is that you are so incredibly elegant in everything you do

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Oh thank you, Julia - you're so very kind!! I'm glad you like the videos! 😊

[@KarinaEijo]

It’s so helpful, thank you! I have a student who is playing a regular sized flute that she’s a bit too small for (she’s 9) and I was talking to her specifically about the right thumb for being an important point of balance. It made me think about my own thumb position. I was told that I have a “hitchhiker’s thumb”. To be honest, I have had issues with right thumb position especially since I switched to a flute with C# trill.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Yes, I can imagine that the C# trill key slightly alters the balance… 🤔

[@davmosh]

Thanks for tips👊👊👊 Eloquently 🎁 presented.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

You’re very welcome! 👍

[@briancowen1098]

Emily thank you so much for this incredible advice. As a disabled person I have found this invaluable as a lesson.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Thank you Brian - I'm so very happy to hear this. Take care & keep safe!

[@racheleilat1776]

Thank you so much for all the videos you make. Do you have any tips on how to reduce load of the left hand's joint?

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Hi Rachel! Have you tried the pinkieport? www.thumbport.com/instr_pp.htm This effectively makes the tube thicker, thereby spreading the load. I hope this helps! 👍

[@Nonavaiable]

This videos are wonderful and so helpful! Could you clarify how to place the headjoint? I see people turning inwards and outwards a lot, it would be nice to get your insight on it. Thank you Dear Emily

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Thanks for your question. This video addresses body position more than flute position and headjoint position can be a very personal choice; MY embouchure hole is in line with the centre of the keys.

[@mariaalessandrasartore]

Good morning Maestro Emily, two weeks ago I discovered that the most important problem to solve and to concentrate on is the posture, in particular shoulders,chest and neck: my tendence is to go down with the chin, like I want to "play for the floor" or stand, so my shoulders and chest close more. Even my breathing is correct I struggle to have always an open sound and I'm starting to feel no more confortable on this limiting position. Thank you for your video, tomorrow I will try for sure your exercises, if you have other specific exercises for the chest and to keep the chin up during my playing and practice I would like to know. Best regards!

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

I think playing whilst ‘sitting’ on the wall is the most helpful exercise!! And practising looking out of a window or towards a picture at the correct height on the wall. Hope it helps! 👍

[@mariaalessandrasartore]

@@EmilyBeynonflute thank you, this morning I tried, at the beginning it was a bit painful, but for the rest of the day I could observe that is getting better and more natural

[@albertobarletta1]

Thanks Emily for this very good advice, greetings from Italy!

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Glad it was helpful, Alberto - thanks for watching!!

[@marcelozaffarani5313]

Muito maravilhoso gosto muito das suas aulas e vídeos parabéns senhorita Emily com todo respeito

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Muito obrigada, Marcelo! 🙏

[@marciocursino1450]

Great Emily! Thank you! About the thumbport, which brand do you recommend? Whenever you feel, I’d love to watch a video of you about projection!

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

I use the THUMBPORT (checkout thumbport.com) Thanks for your suggestion!

[@akouo]

Hello and thank you for this !!! I would like to share an exercise to those like me, who have a tendency to stand more in a question-mark-shape than in an exclamation-mark-shape (for whatever reason, like sitting in front of a screen 8 hours a day). - Stand with the feet 30cm apart, raise your arms horizontally to your sides, and your forearms vertically. - Then VERY GENTLY, VERY SLOWLY bring your elbows backwards. This is not a muscular exercise, it aims to teach the verticality to your body, so you have to be highly conscious of your body. Now, while bringing your elbow backwards, FEEL how your head WANTS to tilt backwards, in order to gain comfort. Let it tilt. FEEL how the lower part of your spine WANTS to take its natural inwards curve. Let it curve inwards. FEEL how your shoulder plates WANT to ease down. Let them ease down. FEEL how your diaphragm becomes free. Enjoy it becoming free. It is like a slow motion of the natural yawn-stretch. - Stretch this way until your elbows can't go further back. The slower the better. Feel the comfort in every cell. - Repeat a few times - Then, while you are playing the flute, bear this sensation of comfort in mind, and feel how it spares you from using muscles that were parasiting your sound cheers

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Thanks for sharing this exercise! 🙏

[@davidkang6433]

I can’t wait for the premiere!!! (Mainly because I’ve been having issues with posture)

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Sorry to hear you've been having issues with posture. I hope this helps and don't hesitate to ask any questions if I don't cover your particular issue! Let me know...

[@sonny2998]

My favourite topic... i am so looking forward to this😊😊😊❤️🙏

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Well, I hope you like it! Let me know, won't you?

[@sonny2998]

Emily Beynon Hello Emily, thank you so much for a reply and yes I will🙏 I have had certain problems with my flute posture for many years particularly while I was studying at the Conservatory. I ended up having to stop playing altogether and I didn’t do well at the time but nowadays, as I have picked it up again, so far, it has got better though, after some careful analysis on how my body is feeling while playing and yes, this video of your could certainly help in someway..so I am so looking forward to it. Again thanks for the effort you put in to these videos. All of your them have helped me a lot so far, they have opened me up to some insightful elements of productive flute playing. Great to be a fan of your flute playing and even better, being able to hear all these tips directly from you, has really made my flute playing day. Thank you Emily 🙏

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

@@sonny2998 Hi Sunny, you asked me on the live chat about thumbports. You can find retailers through thumbport.com or ask at your local music store! You can also order them through my website!

[@sonny2998]

Emily Beynon 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@nevenaflute]

Thank you so much for this video, Emily! Playing the flute feels like doing yoga now - relaxing, fun and with a sense of direction. 😊 I have been using the thumbport for some time now and it has improved my posture immensely. I was just wondering, is there a “correct” place to attach it or is it okay if I adjust its position according to where my thumb naturally goes?

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Hi Nevena, thanks for your comment - glad you liked the video! I think the thumbport is great for relaxation too. For the position, take a look at the website (thumbport.com/) but "where my thumb naturally goes" sounds like a pretty safe bet! 👍

[@pavlinap369]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

You're very welcome!

[@mariacarmenfuentesgimeno9022]

Many thanks! It's a great help. How well explained and how effective. best greetings, Carmen

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

I am so happy you found it helpful! ☺️

[@lesleymacarthur8597]

Thanks!

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Thank you so VERY much, Lesley - so kind! 🙏

[@gabrielisaacsanchezbravo7312]

Amazing Video Maestra Emily Beynon, wonderful y explained ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Thank you very much - so glad you liked it!!

[@flutevillalobos]

Bravo Emily and thank you for sharing this video! I just have a questions about playing relax. How do you find a relax playing in intensive-musical-moments, when we are playing ff or pp? Or even when we are playing with less or residual air in our lungs?

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Thank you for watching Ernesto! Of course in the 2 secenarios you illustrate, it is indeed more difficult to keep relaxed, but... myabe because of this, it's ESPECIALLY important to keep aim for this relaxed body in these places! Let the AIR do as much of the work as possible - after all squeezing your fingers/arms/neck more certainly doesn't help play softer, louder or faster, does it?! And then don't forget to consciously let go of any risidual tension as soon as these moments have passed. Happy flute-ing!

[@Mariana0899]

Always amazing!!! Thank u, Emily 😘

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

You're so welcome, Mariana!! 🙏

[@Rodflute]

Another great video! Thank you, Emily! Great tip about the psoas- I totally forgot about that!

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Thanks Rod! 👍

I should watch this video before , I have small hands but straight flute. Is there anything to help besides change for a offset G model. ? I have a Powell Aurumite but no money to change for a new one 😕

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Hi Maíra - don’t worry - you have an excellent flute! If you are comfortable with the in-line G, then there is no problem, of course! For an open-holed flute, you could use a stopper for the G key and play a little more on the side of the key. For a closed hole flute, you could even consider getting a little extra key soldered on to the G key so that your 4th finger doesn’t have to stretch so far. Speak to your local flute repair person (& your teacher) - they could probably advise you. Good luck!

Thank you ❤️

[@minwuhu1790]

👍.👍.👍.always contains lots of inspiring details. thanks for sharing!

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

So nice of you - glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@lincolnpoesiaforroefua5611]

Nota dez professora excelente.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Obrigada, Lincoln ☺️

[@feyzaflute]

Thank you so much maestra! Very helpful! I am a flute player and i study in Florence, Italy. I was thinking of buying a flute thumbport lately. What brand of thumbport do you use ? Could you please put a link of yours so i can buy it? Thanks. Have a nice day! -Feyza

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Hi Freyza, there is a link in the description box, but here it is again: www.thumbport.com or you can order from my website: emilybeynon.com

[@feyzaflute]

@@EmilyBeynonflute Thank you!

[@sooyoung6550]

Hello! I'm Korean flute player. I wonder your thumbport. The part that touches the flute is made of rubber. So when I fix the flute, The rubber makes the flute sticky, making it difficult to repair. What is your thumbport made of?and Where can i buy the thumbport??

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Hello Sooypung! The thumbport is made of a plastic material - it doesn’t damage the flute. You can find more information (including how to purchase one) from thumbport.com Good luck! 🍀

[@johnmoore2636]

This was incredibly helpful, I’m going to try some of these exercises out before my lesson today. Do you have any tips for preventing the headjoint from slipping up your face as you play? I’ve been trying to keep the flute lower on my lip but it often slips up as I’m playing.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

Hi John, thanks for watching and for your kind words - I'm so glad you found it helpful. Regarding your question, I know several coleagues who use some sort of medical tape (or, the old-fashioned way: a postage stamp) on the lip-plate to stop their flute sliding up/down the chin. Hope that helps.

[@effortlessmusician]

Thank you for this! There’s a lot of great advice in here, and I was so pleased to hear you mention the psoas. As a flutist and teacher of ergonomics for musicians, I’ve had a lot of success developing my sound and expression by working with that muscle.

[@EmilyBeynonflute]

You are so welcome! Yes, even just visualising the PSOAS being relaxed and flexible helps me enormously!! 🧘🏻‍♀️