Right Hand
Drop your right hand down to your side. Notice how your hand actually forms a “C”. Now just pick up your arm and place the flute right inside the “C”. You will see that the thumb is directly under and in between the first and second fingers and the thumb does not protrude out from under the flute. This is exactly the correct position for this hand!
Keep that fourth finger on the D# key! There are only a few notes where that finger is raised. It is an important balance point for the flute.
The fingers of the right hand should not “grab” onto the flute. They should never touch the rods which hold the keys in place. This grabbing position is only created when you cock your right wrist too much. You will eventually have a lot of pain in that arm and the fingers will be restricted in their movements. This position can cause injury and will be a hindrance to your musicality i.e. speed and fluidity.
Left Hand
Form a “chair” for the flute on the knuckle of your first finger. Place the side of your thumb on the thumb key (it will be perpendicular to the key) and let the other four fingers set down in the center of their respective keys. Even if you are using an off-set G key flute, be sure that the left third finger is centered on its key. Do not let it land on the edge of the key. Certain flutes have a circle engraved in the key which can be felt as a sort of target for placement of the fingers. Especially on an in-line G key flute, be sure that students center the pads of their fingers on the center of the keys. Inch the left hand knuckle down the flute toward the foot joint just slightly if the left third finger is hanging off its key. Position and relaxation are key to speed, facility and non-injury playing.
The fourth finger is not used a lot so it must find a comfortable resting position right next to the third finger. Do not let it hang down. It can actually hit the key coming up when needed and this distended position will also cause discomfort eventually and slow down your technique.
Balance Points
The flute is balanced in its own unique position in your hands and against your chin. It must be stable and your hands relaxed for a fluid, musical technique to develop. The three balance points are the knuckle of the first finger of your left hand, which also helps hold it against the second point, your chin and finally the weight of the flute rests on the thumb of your right hand . A stable positions is helped by the weight on the right thumb and the pressure of closing the D# key with the fourth finger right hand. Keys should be on top of the flute, not pushed forward or pulled back. Adjust the head joint not the whole flute for alignment.
Hand Movement
Your hands do not move when you play the flute, only your fingers move. Watch for the student who is actually moving their hands around to “reach” a certain fingering. Their hand position just needs some correcting. They are working way too hard. You may argue that to reach the foot joint keys for low C, C# and B causes the hands to move. Just make sure that you have your foot joint adjusted for the length or your fingers, especially Right 4, and this should be minimized.
“All technique begins with finger position, a position that permits the maximum efficiency with the minimum of effort and movement. The effort can be measured in ounces, and the movement in eighths of an inch. Fingers should be aligned directly, evenly and closely over the key cups. Any discrepancy in the height of the fingers over the keys results in a fractional sacrifice of time and unevenness in execution. A vertical thumb in the left hand locks in the functional wrist pronation. Slightly curved (rather than crabbed, tippy-toe) fingers are recommended for the right hand, since most of the control and action comes from the large knuckles. Support the flute with the right hand thumb in order to avoid too much bracing pressure on the right little finger, which can cramp the flexibility.” P. 22-23
William Kincaid, Kincaidiana by John Krell
Body Position
Sitting
- Sit up straight, on the edge of your chair
- Do not rest your right elbow on the back of the chair
- Turn the chair slightly to the right – so your flute will angle back a little
- Look straight at your music stand
Standing
- Stand with your left foot slightly forward, feet sort of shoulder width apart
- Hold your flute so that it comes straight off your chin. This means if you like to hold your flute angling slightly down, then you must also tip you head slightly to the right. Many flutists hold their flute this way. Just keep head and flute in line and keep embouchure and embouchure hole centered.
Sharing a Stand
When sharing a stand i.e. one piece of music two flutists, put yourselves in a sort of “V” facing toward each other. If you are sitting, angle your chairs. One flute will point towards the back and one towards the front.
If standing, angle your bodies toward each other. You will both be able to see the music and your flutes will not get in each other’s way.
Body Movements while playing
Consider this part of your overall position. It is normal to move some when you are creating music. A totally stiff position will create its own tension problems both physically and musically. One no-no is to move your body or flute on each beat. Also, large radical or dramatic motions are usually seen as funny rather than a part of your performance. If you have any question about how you look or move when performing , then get out your computer, digital camera or smartphone and take a video of yourself and do a little critical analysis on how it would look to an audience.
Jenifer Cuff, Flutist and Teacher