How to Play the Flute: Tips and Techniques : How to Position Fingers for the Flute

[piinkstarsxo]

Im going to make a video on some helpful tips for beginners on how to play the flute. Ive been playing for three years, so inbox me questions now so I can answer them in the video sometime this week!

[msmakeupartist01]

can it go out to the left?

[607soraya]

@msmakeupartist01 no it has to be to the right



[StupidRainbow101]

ur thumb goes on that key then that finger goes on that key then that finger is on the key next to that key. then put that finger on that which is next to that key which is next to that finger and that key. THIS DIDN'T HELP AT ALL

[IRISHgirlPRINCESS]

0_0 i didnt think i would find this video!!

i need finger postoning i cant play "D"  i can play E,F,and then others iv learned (((im just in beginner band))) but i can play "D" do i need to blow harder??

[800brooklyn]

That was a terrible video and u said to hold the flute strieght to the right well u were tilting downwerd stop making terrible videos!please don't hert our ears and tell us how to play the flute u r terible at it like said before

[thetruthhurtsism]

oh my gosh i learned so much from this video thank you. i learned that expert village is an expert at being bad. thanks.

[PsyKittyKat]

no. this was relly bad. i learned nothing. i will never subscribe to "expert"village.

[Thepianofreak17]

They just use the most attractive people...

[smartzazi]

is that yamaha?

[miamigurl123]

Just because you can play the flute doesn't mean you can teach-- perfect example.

[Armanuhi]

5 +

[supermuzicgurl]

dude, only if you are in marching band do you hold it up perfectly straight. in concert band you tilt it to a comfortable angle.

[altosaxophoneist203]

@supermuzicgurl  not what my band teacher said, and im swiching to flute, he said they never ever ever should be angled

[ShadowKC17]

@altosaxophoneist203 Your band director is preparing you for marching band which is the only place that flutes should be held parallel. If your band director said that it should always be parallel, I guarantee you flute is not your band director's first instrument.

[jvgirlsrule]

you should stop making these weird videos

[jvgirlsrule]

this video is a wreck! boooooooooooo nice try non-expert but you didn't teach me anything at ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Charlymaumushi]

I can't even see the flute.

[bevthorne]

i couldnt see the flute when you were holding it.........i need help!!!!!

[acolmanj]

Don't listen to this - check the videos of real flute players and you'll see Nobody of any note (excuse th epun) holds it straight out to the right; They slant away to a comfortable position.

[thebombdiggityawesom]

ur a fail lady this made no sense.

[fecalbell]

i dont have round fingers how the fuck can i play these instrument?

[celtic4ever18]

are you irish american ?

you look celt

[navneetsohanpal]

expert village or i suck balls village?

[550k10]

i like this women! She helped me!

[gibsondanny]

@550k10 woman not women

[musicalgrl123]

this chick has no clue what she's talking about.

[BeccaandBri]

i could make a video better than that and i have only played for a year

[abursha]

anyway, it helps, like it or not.

[65rfdfffdf]

Right thumb should be sideways. NOT ON THE PAD. I used to do that and playing for like 10 min. Straight would sometimes cause my hand to hurt!!

[AyriannahOllivandra]

@MewMaruchan @ICavalcadeI

It is both flutist andlautist, pronounced either flootist(flutist) or flowtist ( flow like in flower (flautist)). Floutist is generally British, while flutist is generally American, though both are correct in either dialect. Flutist actually dates back farther than flautist, recorded far before flautist. fluteist, flute-player, and fluter are also all correct, just uncommon.

[MewMaruchan]

So, uhm, I could've sworn it's "flountist," and not flutist.

[ICavalcadeI]

I'm pretty sure it's spelled, "flautist" (pronounced flootist). But, I don't want to start anything, lol.

[jycnnzn09]

Wow . There's a lot of views - BUT it was useless . Ugh !

[Zz0MB13]

actually, this video does help people learning to play the flute, that's the posture you're suppose to have. my flute teacher (she taught about 40 years) showed me this, and if your going to be in marchin band or any type of performance, this is important. you actually do pllay better with correct posture, because your air flow is better, and flute position is actually important too.

[stormhawks2010]

well, at least I have an excuse for not holding the flute properly. gimp right thumb :P

[smerrigan]

if noone has notice by now..expert village videos are not expert at all..

[superbagner]

this is the most fu...ing boring lesson ever... dam !!! play the fu...ing instrument...

[mzlaurenashley]

ive been playing for 4 years and non of this would have helped a beginner. sorry if that sounds mean but im just bein real

[Daizydayz]

yah ha i learned to play flute in one day without ur help. no offense. all you gotta do is take time detication and work to learn in one day. :)

[whalelover120]

ya but u probably cant play as good as me cuz i toook REAL lessons

[RetardCanadian01]

NO HELP WHAT SO F@CKING EVER!!!!!!!!

[Chowderlover24]

u suck that didnt help at all

[TheSwAn23]

that didn't help me at ALL.

[gangstaboime]

@TheSwAn23 same here

[23vallie]

ok...

[bigchappy1970]

are you from buffalo?

[tiagomendes19]

first.. open hole flutes are not better sounding than closed hole flutes, that depends on the flautist.. second... holding the flute almost paralel to the ground is unreal....

[CheesePhoneBook]

No, having it parallel is the like, the only way it looks good. In marching band especially, we're required to hold the flute parallel to the ground. It's not impossible. It looks shitty as hell if it's tilted. You just have to build up muscle, it's not hard. A little tilt is fine, but it's embarrassing if it's any more. It looks stupid as hell.

[azngurl321]

Oops, I just saw this comment after I wrote about the marching band. Thumbs up.

[azngurl321]

The parallel to the ground is not unreal. It is better for tuning and in marching band, it is definitely a must.

[chabum068]

do you "really need" to curl your fingers, 'cause I have a habit using my right fingers flat... does it later on affect you somewhat?

[Bpure92]

Well if you're using a closed hole flute it doesn't make a huge difference on the sound, in my opinion...BUT it is a terrible habit to form, if you ever get a open hole flute (which are a little more advanced, and sound so much better & more crisp.)

By having flat fingers instead of curled or curved, you wont be able to cover the open hole, therefore the notes will sound winded or out of tune

[chabum068]

thanks for the advice!

I should try fix it from now on

[DemiReticent]

i don't know if this applies in any way for flute but i've played viola for seven years and even though they say you should have your fingers curved but i've played with basically flat fingers forever and i'm just fine. i will say, however that when you're playing fast passages its good to have the fingers curved because you get a faster response when lifting the fingers when they're not fully extended (flat) -- i.e. you don't have to move your fingers as much to get them off the instrument.

[fl4v1u5]

Unfortunately, this does not clarify finger positioning for beginners at all.

[lydialolly]

so...where do you put your right thumb ??? under right middle finger ? under index ???--- right wrist bent or not ?thanks ;)

[nfsaleem]

I really want to learn how to play flute... but how much does it cost to rent one?

[NXPenguinFlutist]

About 40 dollars per month...for me.

[gumbabe]

its not the correct posture your right wrist needs 2 b slightly bent

[KRPjazz]

Great for how to hold the flute. NOT for beginners!!

[shizo668]

Beginner questions:

1. The fingering charts show the pinky finger pressed on most of the notes, but I hear no difference in tone. What's the point then?

2. It's difficult to hold the flute up while playing C (left thumb depressed). I found a way of placing it up on the top my left palm at the base of index finger while pushing down with my right hand, kind of like a lever. Is this correct?

[McMusic64]

The pinky on the "Eb" key is mainly for balance and will not change the note (at least in the first octave)On the right hand I think this video is misleading. The body of the flute is basically held by three points. Your lip, the base of your left index finger (not your palm or your thumb), and the right thumb that gently pushes FOWARD(if you can't do this move your right thumb back a little). Make sure you let your left wrist bend back, this will help your holding position.

[Rodier1128]

though, marching posture if much different.

[kibainuzukalovesme]

is playing the flute easy?

[kimmy121996]

playing the flute is kinds easy not really you mess up a lot but practice makes perfect i guess i know how to play thats all folks olyimpic spirit the lion sleeps tonight and this land is your land

[Rodier1128]

depends on the shape of your lips. Its really the only instrument you hold horizontally, which can get tiring, and beginners often get lightheaded.

[Skittlesrainbow32]

No i play and i have a really tough time in it but i can play row row row your boat haha

[joethemusician]

this absolutely needs to be recorded again and presented with some sort of organization.  it is impossible to follow her thought process. This is only going to confuse beginners!

[Leddderz2TheEdditerz]

i would keep the elbows relaxed and down. if their up it causes your right wrist to be bend instead of straight as it would be if your elbows were down. also you flute instead of being straight across your chest should be at a 45 degree angle with your chest. that too is a more comfortable playing feel and is more relaxed and causes less tension in your body.

[ru25dy]

Senorita, I see that you have long fingers, I'm struggling with my short fingers to reach

those keys. Anyway thanks for the tips very encouraging keep it up.

[clubky21]

oh me too i have fingers 3inches high. that is short

[pinkflamingo2924]

I've been having some trouble with my left index finger against the flute. I've played for seven years and have just noticed this problem. I seem to be pressing too hard with the side of my left hand, and I can barely practice 20 minutes without pain. Do you have any advice?

[Rearda]

I have just bought my daughter her first flute, and finding this on YouTube is a great help! Thank you.

[bugsbunny6969]

i'd love to say that this was hepful but it was about as helpful as staring at a blank wall

[alienworkshop986]

first to comment!!! yea!