Yes, we always recommend starting with an A. And for the record, when it comes to these flutes A and Am are the same. Many makers call them A minor since that's the basic scale they play. But any flute can also play major scales too, we only use the key designation at Horizons.
The relaxing the face helped so much. Now I have to work on covering the holes bc my fingers are skinny!! Lol. I wish the holes for fingers were smaller
wow! today I received my High Spirits flute and spent the whole afternoon/night trying to play it and it was so difficult to get the tone. at 5:58 you said to check for a crack so I did on mine and there it was right in the middle of the sound hole a big crack of about 1 inch. Will try to band aid the thing before I send it back.
I am a total beginner and I have my first starter flute. Thank you for your tips! I have been having about 5% success and 95% failure. Hopefully your tips will help and I can do a bit better. I think part of it too, is simply training my fingers where to be and how to be there. I also discovered that how much breath I was putting into the flute really affects the sounds that comes out. I thought it was interesting because I actually do the best when I actually close my eyes and play it by feeling and hearing. And I have absolutely zero Musical ability! So we shall see what I can do with it in the next few weeks and months. Thank you. I appreciate the tips!
Tiana, I always tell my students to end their statements about what they can't do with ... "yet". Everyone has music inside them, but just like learning to walk and talk, we have to have patience with developing a new skill. We would love to have you in our Horizons Flute School if you feel like you are up for more in-depth guidance. horizonsfluteschool.com
Some great info, Jonny! Especially timely and helpful for me both as a review of my beginning to learn to play and as I am beginning to learn to build them. (Lots of weird sounds seem to occur while I'm adjusting hole size and location! LOL)
Good info Jonny! Here is a real strange one for you. I have a low-C flute and no problem on the root note (c4 - it is solid when tonguing 2 or tuh), but the octave (c5) will jump to an E-flat5 very easily. It requires a tuh when tonguing to get a c5 every time. It can almost be used as an accent on the octave (c5) by tonguing 2 tuh quickly Eb5 C5.
If by "stretching" notes, you mean vibrato or bending, yes, I have videos on those. Here are 2 of my most popular instructional videos that might help you with this question! ua-cam.com/video/eP83olnmQIs/v-deo.html. ua-cam.com/video/eO48zULRdug/v-deo.html On my channel page, there is a link for all of the free instructional videos I have done. Have fun wading through them!
Sorry to be off topic, but I am a beginner. I was told A minor was the best flute for a beginner ( which I bought) then I read that F# was the best flute to get. Do I need to get an F# flute?
Thanks for asking! Great question! No, you definitely do not need to get an F# flute. F# is one of the 4 most popular keys when starting a collection, however it is bigger with a longer reach to the finger holes than an A minor flute. For a beginner, you may find the A minor easier to learn with. All of my courses, with the exception of the Songbooks, are in A minor. If you choose to participate in any of my courses, you will be ready to match the key of my instruction with your A. All this being said, some people choose F# as their first flute based on sound. Personal choice. Here is a link to my school if you need great, concise and well-organized instruction. We would love to have you in the community! www.horizonsfluteschool.com/
Here is the link for that some feedback: www.horizonsflutestore.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons. Due to the volume for private lessons, I am creating an application process. Stay tuned.
This was super helpful. Flashlight trick helped me see my new flute is separating at the seam. Spared me a lot of head scratching.
Glad it helped!
I have a new F# , the hardest as a newbie, I should have gotten a A or A minor. But , your trick from Ooo to ahh helped to kill that squeaky.
Yes, we always recommend starting with an A. And for the record, when it comes to these flutes A and Am are the same. Many makers call them A minor since that's the basic scale they play. But any flute can also play major scales too, we only use the key designation at Horizons.
New to the flute. Very helpful tips thank you.
The relaxing the face helped so much. Now I have to work on covering the holes bc my fingers are skinny!! Lol. I wish the holes for fingers were smaller
You got this!
wow! today I received my High Spirits flute and spent the whole afternoon/night trying to play it and it was so difficult to get the tone. at 5:58 you said to check for a crack so I did on mine and there it was right in the middle of the sound hole a big crack of about 1 inch. Will try to band aid the thing before I send it back.
Wow! Glad you found the issue. I'm sure High Spirits will stand behind you for a replacement.
I am a total beginner and I have my first starter flute. Thank you for your tips! I have been having about 5% success and 95% failure. Hopefully your tips will help and I can do a bit better. I think part of it too, is simply training my fingers where to be and how to be there. I also discovered that how much breath I was putting into the flute really affects the sounds that comes out. I thought it was interesting because I actually do the best when I actually close my eyes and play it by feeling and hearing. And I have absolutely zero Musical ability! So we shall see what I can do with it in the next few weeks and months. Thank you. I appreciate the tips!
Tiana, I always tell my students to end their statements about what they can't do with ... "yet". Everyone has music inside them, but just like learning to walk and talk, we have to have patience with developing a new skill. We would love to have you in our Horizons Flute School if you feel like you are up for more in-depth guidance. horizonsfluteschool.com
@@JonnyLipford thanks for your answer!! I may consider that... It's tough going to make any measurable progress by myself.
Some great info, Jonny! Especially timely and helpful for me both as a review of my beginning to learn to play and as I am beginning to learn to build them. (Lots of weird sounds seem to occur while I'm adjusting hole size and location! LOL)
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you!!!
You're welcome!
Great Information. Thank you, Johnny 🙏
Glad it was helpful!
Good info Jonny! Here is a real strange one for you. I have a low-C flute and no problem on the root note (c4 - it is solid when tonguing 2 or tuh), but the octave (c5) will jump to an E-flat5 very easily. It requires a tuh when tonguing to get a c5 every time. It can almost be used as an accent on the octave (c5) by tonguing 2 tuh quickly Eb5 C5.
Interesting! I had a flute once that needed a tiny bit of tuning tweak on that hole. You might investigate.
Thanks for the info my friend 👍
You bet!
Very useful info. 🙏
Glad it was helpful!
Jonny, can you do a video on stretching notes
If by "stretching" notes, you mean vibrato or bending, yes, I have videos on those. Here are 2 of my most popular instructional videos that might help you with this question! ua-cam.com/video/eP83olnmQIs/v-deo.html. ua-cam.com/video/eO48zULRdug/v-deo.html
On my channel page, there is a link for all of the free instructional videos I have done. Have fun wading through them!
Sorry to be off topic, but I am a beginner. I was told A minor was the best flute for a beginner ( which I bought) then I read that F# was the best flute to get. Do I need to get an F# flute?
Thanks for asking! Great question! No, you definitely do not need to get an F# flute. F# is one of the 4 most popular keys when starting a collection, however it is bigger with a longer reach to the finger holes than an A minor flute. For a beginner, you may find the A minor easier to learn with. All of my courses, with the exception of the Songbooks, are in A minor. If you choose to participate in any of my courses, you will be ready to match the key of my instruction with your A. All this being said, some people choose F# as their first flute based on sound. Personal choice. Here is a link to my school if you need great, concise and well-organized instruction. We would love to have you in the community!
www.horizonsfluteschool.com/
Hi Jonny, I would like to have 1 on 1 with you, please let me know what I need to do. Thank you!
Here is the link for that some feedback: www.horizonsflutestore.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons. Due to the volume for private lessons, I am creating an application process. Stay tuned.
Why do my dogs squeak every time I practice on the flutes?.......he he.
Ha ha! Good one, Tim!
A Ans b i am c here d s kip