I used to struggle a lot with my right thumb placement, and there was this tip in the Trevor Wye book that really helped! Basically, he said to hold the flute like you're playing a clarinet or oboe, then put the fingers other than the thumb on the keys, and then let the thumb rest where it naturally does. Then preserve that position as you bring it to your head. This seriously helped me!
Have you looked into modifying your flute? MEERENAI SHIM and John Lunn do some interesting things in terms of modification. Were planning on making 3D printed versions that you can clip on to keys. Hopefully itll help. Keep mindful and aware and safe playing!
I think of you often,,I’m very grateful to you for your tips on flute,,I’ll be glad when I play like you. I’m beginning,,but I found a teacher that teaches me while on his phone, and I have learned..Thanks again,,God loves you and all.from Kim...
Awesome. I'm not a flutist, rather a guitarist. Still, what I find most interesting is the big lesson here can be generalized to almost every instrument I have set hands on: Important part is being comfortable/relaxed on the instrument. Textbook technique very general cause it is only ever to be followed STRICTLY as a begginer. After that, it's merely a baseline configuration of parameters you can customize.
Excellent video! I use the Thumb port too and love it. It really jump started my learning to play the flute by eliminating the frustration of the flute body turning. Now....what should we do to train our fingers to move faster.
I have rather pudgy short fingers and have to curve some and straighten some. Reaching the keys is my issue. I have been playing for 53 years. There is no such things as "cheating". Playing should be for enjoyment, not competition of style. I can understand that if you are professionally playing, there might be some stricter rules. After all of these years, my flute is just an extension of my arms and a sheer joy to play. It is my "voice".
I think my finger position is largely ok. My huge problem is slow fingers! Thank you for this video and you should smile more because you have such a lovely smile.
Thanks for this video! I'm sure it must be helpful for a lot of people out there. I ended up with tendonitis because I had poor posture and a lot of tension ;-; but I've been trying to be more aware of keeping the positions natural and this video helped! I've actually never thought about how the arm also helps with the fingers. I've always done it because that's sorta what naturally happens, but it's good to actually know it and how it helps! Thanks for your frequent helpful videos ♥
Thank you so much for this video. My child is having huge problems with right hand position, whatever I've done we cannot fix it. And our teacher never told us that such a port exists. I'll book one and try. Thank you.
Thanks a lot! Now I'm seeing your videos for the first time, and are very useful. It's a nice support for beginners, and all in general. I need to practice a lot and improve in all areas about flute, but is a perfect example in many things this channel. I haven't problem with fingers, mine are long and skinny, imagine that better to play instruments like flute, piano, etc...
Of course! I have seen several videos, they have very good contents, and I'll be pleased to give 'like button' to rise up your videos on searchings. You deserve it...
Amelie, how do you play a trill from Db to Eb on the bottom register? I can see why there are two notes for Bb to allow you to trill with B or move quickly from B to Bb, but what if you have to trill or move quickly from Db to Eb? It's very awkward sliding your pinky from one of those funny keys to another!
Hello Amelie. I've seen many of your videos , that's why I Have questions. 1. When i Play my flute, some sounds sound terrible, such as from D to B. From C to D and viceversa, from F# to E. I've tried playing slow, changing my breathin but nothing happens. Could you tell any form to change and improve this pls? I'm exhausted with those notes.
my main problem when playing is my darn right hand! i tend to move my wrist under my flute, which moves my hand/fingers right against my flute. But hearing about different ways to change my general hand posture will definitely help in the future!
I have a problem with my left hand index finger. The place where it touches the flute starts hurting after a while and I even get light bruises. Is there anything I shold change regarding posture or anything that could help me? Greetings from Germany ;) Franziska
Hi Amélie! 03:46 That summarises all my problem with my right hand position, I guess... I have a long thumb and a long middle finger, but a short pinky. As a result, my thumb protrudes below the flute and my little finger has trouble catching lower C key. (My teacher doesn't like thumbs sticking out under the flute) Note: I have an open holes flute, so, my fingers must cover the holes properly, which was not a problem with my former flute was not an open holes flute. My teacher tried to correct my hand position at distance, but when I tried to do it, I felt like my hand was all twisted and I ended up having tendinitis. Now I have no idea how to place my right hand properly... O.O Before, it was not a problem, but I have to play faster and faster and my fingers have to move quickly and freely on the flute.
I’ve been having a real problem with my fourth finger in my right hand because I’m not allowed to play some technical and quick parts.Do you have any tips how cope with it?
Salut ! Superbe vidéo comme toujours :) j'ai une question, est-ce que tu as déjà essayé le "be pop" ? c'est un peu pareil au solexa. Ils produisent aussi un aide pour la main gauche. Je voudrais bien avoir ton avis à propos ce produit :D
Hello Mrs. Amélie, I have a question, my right pinky is hurt from the day I play the flute, is been more than a half year, the amount of time I can play without the pain is getting less and less, even if I just do a quick back and forth motion my right pinky would hurt, but my left pinky wouldn't. I change my posture but still doesn't help, Is there anything I can do with it? Thank you.
@@flutechannel Is just the pinky before, but right now the end of the hand joint/ the tendon is also feeling tired and pain. Mrs. Amélie do you think I can do anything with my hand? Sorry to bother you.
Do you have any advice on how to maybe fix left shoulder pain? It always happens after practicing for a long amount of time and I’ve tried all kinds of posture to fix it
Yup! Will be making a video about it. But we talk a lot about it in our podcast and its best to describe on video. In fact all the muscle that control the hands are in between the shoulder and the neck. There are no muscles in the fingers at all! I would practice less and be aware of your body and posture. We have a video about posture too that might help. but watch out for our video on managing and fixing pain soon. Happy practicing Dale!
Do you use an open-hole flute? I am thinking about buying one when I have enough money spared for one. How much does a college level flute cost normally?
Yup I do. I would say between 1000-5000$ US I would encourage you to try a lot. Even some of the same flute and model. Check out our FCNY reviews. We have a special deal with them that you can try up to 3 flutes for 10 days plus other perks. Read the description in this video.
I got some (not to serious) pain on my left index finger, the part that contact with the flute. In fact, I feel that the skin start to thicken compare yo the same spot on my right hand. Am I doing something wrong?
No it happens a lot and there are cool little gels you can put there so that happens less often. Its called Flute Gels www.fluteworld.com/Flute-Gels.html
i have a long pinky and it always naturally locks in when playing. i tried pushing the last joint a bit forward but the pinky still tends to lock a lot even though the rest of my fingers are fine, any tips to help that?
I would move the last joint even more until you feel most comfortable. In our last podcast we talk about ergonomic options for the flute. Because... well the flute isn't made to fit everyones hands. So there are options. I would try that and let me know what you feel and if it gets any better.
@@flutechannel I watched but can’t see exactly where the thumb is. Is it perfectly fitting in the curve ? Like perfectly horizontal ? It seems to be in my way and leave my thumb sore .
@@flutechannel ok. Thank u. I figured it out ! I love you and your videos. They have helped me soooooooo much !! Thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
What are some tips or issue that come up with your play when it comes to your fingers? Let me know in the comments!
The Flute Channel this helps alot! My finger keeps getting sore after playing.
thanks! Glad I can help!
I used to struggle a lot with my right thumb placement, and there was this tip in the Trevor Wye book that really helped! Basically, he said to hold the flute like you're playing a clarinet or oboe, then put the fingers other than the thumb on the keys, and then let the thumb rest where it naturally does. Then preserve that position as you bring it to your head. This seriously helped me!
Arthritis. I am 65 with a left index that is misaligned. I wear a brace when not playing.
Have you looked into modifying your flute? MEERENAI SHIM and John Lunn do some interesting things in terms of modification. Were planning on making 3D printed versions that you can clip on to keys. Hopefully itll help. Keep mindful and aware and safe playing!
I think of you often,,I’m very grateful to you for your tips on flute,,I’ll be glad when I play like you. I’m beginning,,but I found a teacher that teaches me while on his phone, and I have learned..Thanks again,,God loves you and all.from Kim...
Very nice video. Can you please recommend a good left hand position as well. My left index finger hurts so much at the base with and becomes red.
This was so helpful! I’ve been having a ton of wrist pain and now I have some different things to try to improve the situation!
You got this!
Awesome. I'm not a flutist, rather a guitarist. Still, what I find most interesting is the big lesson here can be generalized to almost every instrument I have set hands on: Important part is being comfortable/relaxed on the instrument. Textbook technique very general cause it is only ever to be followed STRICTLY as a begginer. After that, it's merely a baseline configuration of parameters you can customize.
Super happy you found this helpful!
Excellent video! I use the Thumb port too and love it. It really jump started my learning to play the flute by eliminating the frustration of the flute body turning. Now....what should we do to train our fingers to move faster.
I have rather pudgy short fingers and have to curve some and straighten some. Reaching the keys is my issue. I have been playing for 53 years. There is no such things as "cheating". Playing should be for enjoyment, not competition of style. I can understand that if you are professionally playing, there might be some stricter rules. After all of these years, my flute is just an extension of my arms and a sheer joy to play. It is my "voice".
beautifully said! thanks for watching and commenting!
I think my finger position is largely ok. My huge problem is slow fingers! Thank you for this video and you should smile more because you have such a lovely smile.
That wrist rotation is the same one that a lot of guitarists use on their right hands to pick/strum. Definitely an effective muscle action!
Thanks for this video! I'm sure it must be helpful for a lot of people out there. I ended up with tendonitis because I had poor posture and a lot of tension ;-; but I've been trying to be more aware of keeping the positions natural and this video helped! I've actually never thought about how the arm also helps with the fingers. I've always done it because that's sorta what naturally happens, but it's good to actually know it and how it helps! Thanks for your frequent helpful videos ♥
pleasure melody! Thanks for watching and sharing your story!
Thank you so much for this video. My child is having huge problems with right hand position, whatever I've done we cannot fix it. And our teacher never told us that such a port exists. I'll book one and try. Thank you.
Im glad to help! The flute is not a very ergonomic instrument and some of these device can really help with balancing the flute.
Thanks a lot! Now I'm seeing your videos for the first time, and are very useful. It's a nice support for beginners, and all in general. I need to practice a lot and improve in all areas about flute, but is a perfect example in many things this channel. I haven't problem with fingers, mine are long and skinny, imagine that better to play instruments like flute, piano, etc...
great well first im glad you finally found us! Take a look through all our videos and be sure to watch out for more in the future. - amelie
Of course! I have seen several videos, they have very good contents, and I'll be pleased to give 'like button' to rise up your videos on searchings. You deserve it...
sounds like a wonderful plan!
Why would using a thumbport be cheating? Is a person with a broken leg cheating when he use crutches?!
Amelie, how do you play a trill from Db to Eb on the bottom register? I can see why there are two notes for Bb to allow you to trill with B or move quickly from B to Bb, but what if you have to trill or move quickly from Db to Eb? It's very awkward sliding your pinky from one of those funny keys to another!
I love your videos and explanations. I swear for every problem that I have, you have a videos that explains how to solve it.
Glad to help Mario!
Hello Amelie. I've seen many of your videos , that's why I Have questions.
1. When i Play my flute, some sounds sound terrible, such as from D to
B. From C to D and viceversa, from F# to E. I've tried playing slow,
changing my breathin but nothing happens. Could you tell any form to
change and improve this pls? I'm exhausted with those notes.
Merci beaucoup. Tes conseils sont d’une grande aide.
my main problem when playing is my darn right hand! i tend to move my wrist under my flute, which moves my hand/fingers right against my flute. But hearing about different ways to change my general hand posture will definitely help in the future!
its a problem that happens with a lot of flutists. I would try the Thumbport by Solexa. I use it a lot it helps with stability.
I have a problem with my left hand index finger. The place where it touches the flute starts hurting after a while and I even get light bruises. Is there anything I shold change regarding posture or anything that could help me?
Greetings from Germany ;)
Franziska
Hi Amélie! 03:46 That summarises all my problem with my right hand position, I guess... I have a long thumb and a long middle finger, but a short pinky. As a result, my thumb protrudes below the flute and my little finger has trouble catching lower C key. (My teacher doesn't like thumbs sticking out under the flute) Note: I have an open holes flute, so, my fingers must cover the holes properly, which was not a problem with my former flute was not an open holes flute. My teacher tried to correct my hand position at distance, but when I tried to do it, I felt like my hand was all twisted and I ended up having tendinitis. Now I have no idea how to place my right hand properly... O.O Before, it was not a problem, but I have to play faster and faster and my fingers have to move quickly and freely on the flute.
On the d trill with d and e natural, is the right pinky important for e natural or can it be played without. Thanks for another really helpful video!
Yesssssssss ima need this for my classes 😂
very helpful, thanks!
You're welcome!
I’ve been having a real problem with my fourth finger in my right hand because I’m not allowed to play some technical and quick parts.Do you have any tips how cope with it?
Salut ! Superbe vidéo comme toujours :) j'ai une question, est-ce que tu as déjà essayé le "be pop" ? c'est un peu pareil au solexa. Ils produisent aussi un aide pour la main gauche. Je voudrais bien avoir ton avis à propos ce produit :D
Hello Mrs. Amélie, I have a question, my right pinky is hurt from the day I play the flute, is been more than a half year, the amount of time I can play without the pain is getting less and less, even if I just do a quick back and forth motion my right pinky would hurt, but my left pinky wouldn't. I change my posture but still doesn't help, Is there anything I can do with it?
Thank you.
Hmm. You could be pinching a nerve. Is it a pain just around the pinky finger or does it go all the way up the arm?
@@flutechannel Is just the pinky before, but right now the end of the hand joint/ the tendon is also feeling tired and pain. Mrs. Amélie do you think I can do anything with my hand? Sorry to bother you.
Do you have any advice on how to maybe fix left shoulder pain? It always happens after practicing for a long amount of time and I’ve tried all kinds of posture to fix it
Yup! Will be making a video about it. But we talk a lot about it in our podcast and its best to describe on video. In fact all the muscle that control the hands are in between the shoulder and the neck. There are no muscles in the fingers at all! I would practice less and be aware of your body and posture. We have a video about posture too that might help. but watch out for our video on managing and fixing pain soon. Happy practicing Dale!
What’s the name of the piece at the beginnings of these videos? I always forget!
Merge left for two flutes and cello
Do you use an open-hole flute? I am thinking about buying one when I have enough money spared for one. How much does a college level flute cost normally?
Yup I do. I would say between 1000-5000$ US I would encourage you to try a lot. Even some of the same flute and model. Check out our FCNY reviews. We have a special deal with them that you can try up to 3 flutes for 10 days plus other perks. Read the description in this video.
Alright I'll be sure to check the out. Thank you so much. Your videos are very helpful and informative.
aww thanks its my pleasure. don't be a stranger! Talk to you again!
I have a flute it was 66o dollars I do band and I'm really good at it
thank you for your tips!
My pleasure!
I find difficult in playing base notes sometimes no sound comes when playing pinky base notes how to solve it please
I got some (not to serious) pain on my left index finger, the part that contact with the flute. In fact, I feel that the skin start to thicken compare yo the same spot on my right hand. Am I doing something wrong?
No it happens a lot and there are cool little gels you can put there so that happens less often. Its called Flute Gels www.fluteworld.com/Flute-Gels.html
i have a long pinky and it always naturally locks in when playing. i tried pushing the last joint a bit forward but the pinky still tends to lock a lot even though the rest of my fingers are fine, any tips to help that?
I would move the last joint even more until you feel most comfortable. In our last podcast we talk about ergonomic options for the flute. Because... well the flute isn't made to fit everyones hands. So there are options. I would try that and let me know what you feel and if it gets any better.
Which kind of this flute is ? Here in India we use Bamboo flute simply...With 6 holes...
It has different names, but it’s a concert flute (also knows as western flute, classical flute or flûte traversière)
So no unnecessary tense-ness in the hands. You can feel it in your forearms if you are.
I have the Selexa thumb support but can’t figure it out. Thumb on curve or bottom
Take a look at some of my recent music videos and look at the close ups of my right hand you'll see how i use it. Hope that helps. Let me know.
@@flutechannel I watched but can’t see exactly where the thumb is. Is it perfectly fitting in the curve ? Like perfectly horizontal ? It seems to be in my way and leave my thumb sore .
Or do I have to get used to it. It was27.00. I don’t think it should cost so much
Your thumb is not perfectly horizontal in the back. But it is touching the flat part sticking out in the back
@@flutechannel ok. Thank u. I figured it out ! I love you and your videos. They have helped me soooooooo much !! Thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I just bought a flute and on my first try I'm finding the saliva is hindering me from playing past the first note. is there a way to stop that?