Maintenance and Care
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New to flute? Watch the video to the left in order to be able to identify the parts of the flute, how to assemble a standard C flute, and how to swab a flute once you are finished playing.
Note: All flutists must have their own swabs as sharing swabs is not sanitary. Silk swabs are recommended, but 100% cotton swabs are also acceptable. |
Posture
Incorrect: The angle is too low; look at the embouchure against the lip plate! Elbows are tucked in and the wrists are at "broken" angles.
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Incorrect: The angle is too high; tendinitis would be so easy to contract in this position! The embouchure is also tilted off of the lip plate and air would not be able to properly move into/across the lip plate.
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Correct posture: Angle of the flute/head is slightly tilted without bending the neck and cutting off the air stream. Elbows are close to the body without being tucked in. Fingers are curved on the buttons, not flat (including pinkies!). Flute is balanced on main joint of the index finger (LH) and the main joint of the index finger (RH).
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Seated Posture
Incorrect: Feet are tucked back under the chair. Flute is angled waaayyyy too far down. Torso is leaning forward with the lower back touching the back of the chair.
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Incorrect: This is the most common incorrect posture. Legs are splayed, elbow is hooked over the chair, torso is leaning back into the chair cramping the air passage.
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Correct: Shoulders and hips are aligned atop one another. Flute is slightly away from the body (unlike marching band). Torso is supported for strong breath production. Back is straight without artificially curving the spine.
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Troubleshooting
Videos and Articles for Advanced Techniques
Comprehensive Fingering Chart covering Piccolo to Bass Flute: wfg.woodwind.org/flute/
How Do Woodwind Instruments Work?: newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/woodwind.html
Flute Acoustics: newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/music/flute/
How Do Woodwind Instruments Work?: newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/woodwind.html
Flute Acoustics: newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/music/flute/