Why Is Flute Practice Important?
There’s no doubt that practicing the flute is essential to becoming a better flutist. But sometimes, finding the time and motivation to practice can be challenging, especially if you do not see results as quickly as you’d like.
Fortunately, you can do a few simple things to make flute practice more effective and efficient, so you can see results faster and enjoy the process more. Here are some of our favourite flute practice hacks:
Masking Tape for Hand Positioning
One of the most challenging things to teach a flute student is proper hand position. With moving parts, it can be easy for students to get lost and frustrated trying to keep everything in place. Using masking tape is a simple way to help flute students lock their hand positioning.
Place a little masking tape on the flute where each hand should go. The left hand’s thumb and first three fingers go just above the tape, while the pinky rests on top. For the right hand, place the thumb and first two fingers below the tape. It will help students keep their hands properly and avoid slippage.
Practice Long Notes
Long notes are essential for flute students of all levels. They help with breath control and tone production, two critical aspects of flute playing.
To make practicing long notes more fun, try adding a short phrase or scale at the end of each one. It will be helpful to break up the monotony and keep your mind engaged.
Follow Pareto Principle
Pareto Principle, known as the 80/20 rule, states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. You can apply this principle to flute practice by identifying the areas that need the most work and focusing on them.
For example, if you’re having trouble with high notes, spend more time practicing those. Or, if you’re struggling with a particular flute passage, break it down and practice it slowly until you have it mastered. You can quickly improve your flute playing by identifying and focusing on your weaknesses.
Practice “20”
This flute practice hack will base on the Pareto Principle. The goal is to spend 20% of your practice time working on new material and the other 80% reviewing old material.
It is a great way to ensure you’re consistently improving and not just spinning your wheels. New material will challenge and keep you motivated, while review will solidify your understanding and help you avoid plateaus.
Differentiate ‘Drill from Scrimmage’
When practicing, it’s essential to differentiate between drills and scrimmages. Drills are focused and specific exercises designed to help you improve a particular skill. Scrimmages, on the other hand, are more like playing a game. They’re fun and allow you to apply your skills in a pressure-free environment.
Both drills and scrimmages are essential, but it’s important to know when to focus on each one. Drills should improve specific skills, while you should use scrimmages to apply those skills in a fun and relaxed setting.
Nail Polish for Putting Instrument Together
Putting your flute together can be challenging, especially if you have small hands. Using nail polish is an excellent way to make it easier.
Place a small dot of nail polish on each flute piece where it goes into the body. It will help you see where everything goes and make it easier to put together. Once you will do, remove the nail polish with acetone.
Practice ‘Bright Spots’
When practicing, it’s essential to focus on your bright spots. These are the areas where you shine and feel confident. It is helpful to keep you motivated and help to improve your overall flute playing.
So next time you’re practicing, focus on your bright spots. It could be a particular flute passage you always nail or a type of flute playing that you excel at. Whatever it is, focus on your bright spots and let them shine.
Mirror Use for Embouchure Checks
Knowing if you’re using the correct flute embouchure can be difficult. A great way to check is by using a mirror.
Set up a mirror so you can see your face while playing. Then, take a close look at your mouth and tongue. Are it is in the correct position? A mirror can be a great way to check your flute embouchure and ensure you’re doing it correctly.
Practice Out of Memory
One of the best ways to improve flute playing is by practicing out of memory. It means you’re not relying on sheet music or a flute method book. Instead, you’re memorizing the flute music and playing it from memory.
At first, it may seem daunting, but it’s pretty simple. Start by memorizing a few flute exercises or etudes. After that, gradually increase the length and difficulty of the pieces you’re learning. With practice, you’ll be able to play entire flute pieces from memory.
Fight the Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts are every day, but they can impact your flute playing. If you’re constantly telling yourself that you’re not good enough or that you’ll never improve, it’s time to fight back.
Next time negative thoughts pop into your head, push them out. Replace them with positive affirmations, such as “I’m a great flute player” or “I’m getting better every day.” These positive affirmations will help improve your flute playing and keep you motivated.
Plug Removal from the Beginning
Try this tip if you’re having trouble removing the flute plugs from the beginning. First, remove the flute head joint. Then, take a look at the flute body. There should be a small hole near the top.
Insert a flute cleaning rod into this hole and carefully push it down. It will help remove the flute plugs from the body. Once they’re released, you can put the flute head joint back on and start playing.
Flute Lessons San Antonio
If you’re looking for flute lessons in San Antonio, look no further than Bach to Rock. Our flute instructors are experienced and passionate about music education. We offer flute lessons for all levels, from beginners to advanced students.
We will also provide a state-of-the-art recording studio where you can record your flute playing. It is a great way to track your progress and hear how you sound.
Contact Flute Lessons San Antonio today to learn more about flute lessons at Bach to Rock. We’ll be happy to give you answers to every question you have.
