Let your family join the woodwind family! The flute is an engaging and dynamic instrument that can be tricky for new players. Luckily, here are some tips for your next flute practice.

Learning how to breathe properly and manage your air is part of the first steps to becoming a pro on the flute. A great exercise for flute players of all ages and levels is to grab a sheet of paper, place it on the wall, hold it until you start blowing at it, and play the game “don't let the paper fall”. Don’t blow for too long or too hard, or you’ll start to feel dizzy. If you do, just take a break and you’ll be ready to keep practicing! Try to increase how many seconds you can blow for as you start to get better at it.

Believe it or not, posture plays a huge factor in the sound that comes out of your instrument. Good posture will help you play beautiful sounds. By making sure your back is straight and your shoulders are not in, you can avoid feeling tired and pain after you flute practice. For good hand positioning, place your fingers curved on top of the keys and use your thumbs to support the instrument. Your hand needs to feel free and relaxed. This will ensure your fingers and hands don’t hurt after practice, as well as making it easier to develop agility when you play.

Scarlet began playing the flute in 2013, when she joined the music education program El Sistema in Venezuela. Since then, classical music has become one of her passions, and she is very enthusiastic about sharing some of that passion with others. She has been a part of multiple orchestras in her hometown and locally, including the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Windsor Symphony Community Orchestra.