Parts of the Flute
A flute is made up of three pieces – the headjoint, the middle joint and the footjoint.
Making a Sound on the Headjoint
Headjoint Sounds
Hold the headjoint with both hands as shown in the picture below.
Cover about a quarter of the tone hole with your lower lip.
Blow gently across the hole towards the opposite edge. The headjoint should make a sound.
If you can’t make a sound, try moving the headjoint a little to the left or the right. Or try rolling it in towards you, or out
away from you.
Sometimes it helps to look in a mirror while you are learning to make the sound.
When you can make a sound, go on to the next page.
Putting the Flute Together
When you pick up the middle joint, make sure you hold it by the barrel. Try not to grip the keys because too much pressure can bend them. As you put the headjoint into the middle joint, twist it back and forth to help it slip in more smoothly.
Line up the mouth hole with the key on the middle joint.
Attach the footjoint to the middle joint, then line them up as shown.
Playing Position
Make sure to hold the flute on your right side, not your left. Turn your left hand so that its
palm faces toward you, and your right hand so that its palm faces away.
Finger Numbers
Left Hand
Right Hand
Each finger gets a number. The left thumb gets a letter – T. The right thumb doesn’t play any notes, so it doesn’t get a number or a letter.
Are you ready to learn your first note?