| Learning and instrument is very rewarding. If you | | | | expressive colour is produced ranging over three |
| are keen to try an instrument, what should you | | | | octaves from low C (middle C on piano) upwards. |
| go for? | | | | Some flutes have a special B foot end piece, in |
| What you need to do is gather all the information | | | | which case the lowest note played is B below |
| you need to make an informed decision and then | | | | middle C. |
| give an instrument a go. | | | | 5. Types of music the flute plays |
| The information which could help you decide is: | | | | You can play so many different styles of music |
| 1. What is the instrument? | | | | on the flute ranging from classical, jazz, musical |
| 2. History of the instrument | | | | theatre and more. Hence you can enjoy making |
| 3. How do you play the instrument? | | | | friends by joining a musical group or two. These |
| 4. What sound does the instrument make? Do | | | | can include chamber groups, flute choirs (using the |
| you like this sound? | | | | various sizes of flutes), orchestras, big bands, jazz |
| 5. Types of music the instrument plays. | | | | ensembles. You can also enjoy playing duets with |
| 6. Portability. | | | | one other person on any instrument or soloing in |
| 7. How you are going to learn - teach yourself or | | | | the comfort of your own home playing your |
| find a teacher | | | | favourite styles, maybe to a backing track on a |
| 8. Are you prepared to practise? | | | | CD or computer. |
| This article will run through the information using | | | | 6. Portability |
| the flute as an example. | | | | The flute is very portable and can be taken |
| 1. What is the Flute? | | | | everywhere. Just imagine sitting on top of a |
| The flute is a popular, versatile, affordable, | | | | mountain on a sunny day, looking out at the |
| long-slender-pipelike, woodwind instrument, without | | | | magnificent scenery and playing your favourite |
| a reed. There are different sizes of flutes with | | | | melodies to nature. Wow! Try doing this with a |
| the more common ones being, from small to | | | | double bass. |
| large ~ the piccolo, concert flute, alto flute and | | | | 7. How are you going to learn - yourself or with a |
| bass flute. The concert flute is the flute we learn | | | | teacher? |
| on and is 67cm long and weighs 400 - 600g | | | | ~ yourself: You can teach yourself by purchasing |
| depending on what it is made of. Materials include | | | | a tutor book or online |
| silver and other metals. Superstar James Galway | | | | ~ teacher: Find yourself a teacher who will |
| is known as the "Man With The Golden Flute" as | | | | recommend a book to learn from. |
| his flute is made of solid gold. Some student flutes | | | | A first lesson may go something like this: |
| have a curved head joint which makes it more | | | | 1. Breathing exercises, to become aware of |
| comfortable for the younger players. | | | | proper breathing techniques. Some students think |
| 2. History | | | | the tummy goes in when you breathe in, but it |
| The flute dates back to the Ice Age more than | | | | goes out. Think of a balloon getting bigger as air |
| 20,000 years ago, in the form of a simple carved | | | | goes into it. As you breath in air goes into the |
| bone with three holes used for bird calls. They | | | | lungs, making them expand and hence moving the |
| developed over the years from the early | | | | tummy out. It is important to get the breathing |
| recorder like end-blown style to the more | | | | right in order to create a good sound. |
| powerful transverse or sideways style dating | | | | 2. Sounds from the head piece alone. |
| back 3,000 years. Transverse flutes developed | | | | 3. Putting the flute together. |
| from a 4 - 8 hole system to the three sectioned | | | | 4. Standing or sitting posture. |
| flute with 15 holes and 23 keys, revolutionized in | | | | 5. Getting sounds from the flute: Depending on |
| 1847 by Theobald Boehm, a flute playing metal | | | | the student there may be time to learn the |
| worker. Flutes were made of various materials | | | | fingering of the notes B A G and play them. One |
| over the years including bronze, ivory, wood and | | | | can try long and short sounds. |
| even glass and porcelain (which were great until | | | | 8. Are you prepared to practise? |
| dropped!) and metal. | | | | You must be in good training to play a wind |
| 3. How do you play the flute? | | | | instrument like the flute just like you need to be |
| The flute is played by blowing across a hole on | | | | to be any good at sport. Your real work is the |
| the side near one end. Different notes are made | | | | daily training sessions done by you and your |
| by covering the holes along the sides with the | | | | teacher is the coach. |
| fingers or keys. | | | | So, in conclusion, find out as much information on |
| 4. What sound does the flute produce? | | | | any instrument of interest, like the example with |
| The word flute comes from the Latin verb flare | | | | the flute. Do you like the size, shape, sound and |
| which means to flow. So when the air flows down | | | | styles of music the instrument plays? Then, try |
| the instrument, a clear bellbird like sound with | | | | one. |