Compiled by
Marge Farmer
2. With feet shoulder width apart, turn to the right at a 45 degree angle (about 2:00), left
foot slightly ahead of the right.
3. Unlock your knees.
4. Put equal weight on both feet.
5. Now, without moving your body, bring your flute up to you, not you to the flute.
6. Push the end of the flute forward toward the stand so that it's parallel to the stand and at
a slight angle down.
7. Using a mirror, check to make sure that angle of the lips and the flute are the same.
8. Keep your chest lifted, shoulders pulled down away from your ears, and arms slightly
away from your body.
Right hand: Drop your hand down by your side. Notice the natural shape of the hand and fingers. Place it on the flute making sure the thumb and first fingers are in line as if pushing the key down. Keep fingers slightly curved and don't let your hand lean to the right or left too far.
Left hand: Let the flute rest between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles. Keep your wrist under the flute and bent in a L-shape. Keep elbow away from your body but below the flute. Keep your thumb on its side and slightly above the thumb key.
1. The ability to inhale large quantities of air quickly,
2. The ability to snatch a proper breath quickly,
3. And, more, importantly, the ability to control the release of the breath.
Exercise: With perfect posture, see how many seconds you can hold B1. Remember this number. To get the proper 'feeling' of breathing try these exercises:
1. Lying down on the floor with knees bent, breath naturally. You will notice that your lower rib cage (or stomach area) is moving up and down. This is the proper area to think of breathing into. Take a deep breath in through an "O" shape with the lips and in the back of your throat. Feel the muscles and rib cage expand and contract. Remember this feeling. Repeat 3 times slowly.
2. Sit in a chair on the edge of the seat, feet forward. Bend over and place your elbows on your knees. Let your head drop down naturally. Do not force it. Pull your sholders down away from your ears. Take a deep breath through the "O". Feel your lower back muscles expand and contract. Remember this feeling. Repeat 3 times.
3. Stand against the wall with knees bent and feet away from the wall. Place the small of your back against the wall. Put your hand on your stomach just below your rib cage. Take a deep breath throught the "O" and fill up "into your hand". Your lower rib cage should expand all the way around like a balloon. Your stomach area should move out when your inhale and in when you exhale.
4. With perfect posture, and your flute, take a deep breath through the "O" and see how many seconds you can hold that B1. It should be longer then the first time if you are breathing correctly.