Learning an instrument is difficult, and it becomes significantly more difficult to learn an instrument without the help of a teacher. The flute is no exception. Without a teacher, one runs the risk of developing bad habits while playing which interfere with one’s ability to reach their full musical potential. Even so, many people who…
Cleaning your flute is a maintenance procedure which every flutist should know. However, its complexity varies by the type of cleaning that the flute needs. Cleaning a flute with a swab is incredibly simple, for instance, whereas doing a deep clean is quite complicated and should only be attempted by a professional repair person. In…
One of the first things that every flutist has to know is how to put the flute together. This is a fairly simple process, but there are a few nuances and pitfalls that are good to know about. In short: To put the flute together properly, first open the case on a flat stable surface…
Holding the flute is one of the most basic things that you should know before attempting to play. The sound that you produce is highly dependent on the way that you hold your instrument, so it is worthwhile to make sure that you get it right. To hold your flute, put your left thumb on…
Oiling your keys is a basic instrument-care process which every flutist should know. My aim is to offer you a comprehensive guide on this process, and to point out the pitfalls that you should avoid. To properly oil your keys, place one drop of key oil (or motor oil) on every place where there is…
Sticky flute keys are a common issue that happens to most flutists at some point. It usually isn’t a big issue, but it nonetheless needs to be fixed and prevented as much as possible. The good news is that unsticking keys is a fix that you can easily do at home. You don’t need to…
One common issue with flute tone is the “fuzzy” sound. Generally, this refers to a sound which lacks focus and clarity. This article is intended to be a troubleshooting guide to help you identify why your tone sounds fuzzy and how you can fix it. The most common causes of a fuzzy flute sound are:…
It can be especially hard to find time and space to practice when your family and/or neighbors are not particularly keen on hearing you play. Fortunately, there are some techniques which you can use to practice flute without being too much of a disruption. The easiest way to practice flute without being a disruption is…
Every musician presumably wants to get the most out of their practice. This is a general guide based on my personal experience to practicing flute in a way that will help you grow as a musician, though the information here may help musicians who play other instruments as well. Ideally, flute practice should involve harmonics,…
One of the most common questions that new flutists ask relates to the time commitment that learning flute will take them. In other words, they want to know how long it will take them to learn flute. Typically, it takes an absolute beginner about a week or two to learn to produce their first sound…
