I've had to come here and say a HUGE thank you for both this video, and the left hand one!!! ❤ I'm a beginner (started just under three years ago as an adult) and whilst I had a teacher originally, I am no longer able to afford it. I implemented some changes yesterday, as recommended by yourself, and despite the difficulty that comes with training out ingrained habits, I spent two days' worth of practice focusing solely on hand position and trying to figure out what wasn't working for me. I'm so grateful for the clear instructions and explanations/troubleshooting you've provided - after just two days I'm already noticing a huge difference in my playing. I also watched one of your embouchure videos and have implemented that as well and it's been remarkable to see how my tone changed and how much less I'm "pushing" to get a sound. I will continue watching many more of your videos but for now, thank you so much for what you do here. It is very much appreciated! :)
I have been dealing with some pretty intense tension, tingling, pain, and "twitching" in my right hand for last year or so. The MOMENT I adjusted the rotation of my wrist and the positioning of my foot joint, I felt such an unfamiliar sense of ease. Thank you so much for talking so thoroughly and clearly about a deceptively simple aspect of playing the flute.
This video helps me a lot ! I have difficulties with my small hands, hyperlax joints, and low muscle tone. I think I need an accessorie to put under the right thumb, to have a more open position that will be more confortable for the fingers and the thumb. Turning the hand toward the pinkie is a real help for reaching the C key : good surprise! So thank you very much for these very useful counsels.
Thank you all these detailed information. You are a very good teacher. I just got a flute i am much older . I needed to know where to start? . Learning chords is one thing but you helped me understand how very important hand technique is. Thanks again. For those who have to practice from home.
I'm currently starting to play again after a 10-year hiatus. I'm also transitioning to open holes and was having a lot of trouble getting all my right hand holes covered- my hand hurt so bad in the middle of my playing. I think this video is going to save me. Thank you! And it is great to know that it is OK to rotate out my foot joint- that took a lot of my tension away!
Thank You!! My Thumb muscle ( The Pad of the thumb adjacent to the palm) was getting sore. By seeing our video I think I solved my problem. My right thumb was curved so that the thumb nail was in a vertical position. When I looked in the mirror confirmed it. I was using the inner side of the thumb to support the weight of the flute. I had a weird looking right hand position. Keeping my thumb straight gives me a much better hand position. Thanks for the help!
I have experimented with the thumb port and I think that it could help some people. I think it could also exacerbate some hand issues. Since they aren't too expensive, It is worth experimenting with them just to see. I don't think that I would ever use one as it seems too bulky for me.
@@DoctorFlute Sorry, missed that you'd asked a question. My flute has an in-line G. I've been working really hard to undo 43 years of lazy pinkie in the left hand. I'm trying to get back to basic technique. Your Vid really helped. I really like your videos! I did your course on Skill Share which was also great.
I am so glad you brought this issue up! I have quite a short pinky and was wondering what I was doing wrong. I am going to use your tips to improve my flexibility. I use a thumb port but find that the stress comes when I play around the F note. (It feels like it leaks air or is way to soft compared to other notes...) I also play piano and found my way around my little pinkies but the flute is a real challenge with that.
Thanks for the tips. Adjusting my foot joint has helped my right hand position, but my right pinky still locks (it locks bent or straight). Any advice on position or relaxation exercises to keep it from locking?
I’ve heard about that problem. Make sure that you are tilting your hand to the right so that there can be a curve in the pinky. Other than that I don’t know how to prevent it from happening.
Do you have any suggestions for the left hand? I get sore in the middle of my hand, as well as the big joint of the index finger, the thumb joints, and the wrist there the thumb joins the hand. Thank you for your thorough and very helpful discussion of right hand placement! 🙂
Thank you for addressing this. It is something that has been on my mind and I have been addressing in my own playing, as life has allowed me to return to more flute playing. Your lesson confirmed some of the thoughts I have been having. I notice a lot of variation, also, in the placement of the thumb under or more behind the flute. Back in my college days, about 25-30 years ago, I was encouraged to have it further back and allowing the flute to be balanced between the lip, above left hand 1st finger joint, and the right hand thumb. I agree with you, that if you do this you have to watch the curvature/tension of your thumb. As I listen and watch all the different flutists out there, there is a bit of variation even in the “top” players. I wonder if it is a hand size issue also, like the pinkie or something else. Personally, it is not comfortable for me to have my thumb under the flute. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for sharing. I enjoy your videos. By the way you have posted a recording of “What Child is This,” that is just lovely. Is it your arrangement? Is it available someplace? Take care and God Bless. Teresa
Hi Twin Oaks, thank-you for your thoughtful response. You are right in that there is variation from what I'm saying here. I teach this method of hand positions (next week is the left hand in spot light) as I believe it to be the most natural positioning that will cause the least long term pain. But that said, everyone's hands are different thus variation and I'm okay with that. That arrangement of "What Child is This" is absolutely the best arrangement I've ever had of this piece. I love it so! It is published be Soundforth publications. The music is in this book www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/be-still-my-soul-sheet-music/18421103 . Stop by anytime!
Are most of the arrangements in these books just as nice as What Child? I notice there are 2 other books. I love the Joel Raney arrangements, but bought another series that a piano friend of mine had played with someone else years ago, and there were a few nice pieces in one volume, but we were disappointed over all. . .Just curious before spending money. Thank you, Teresa
Well, that is a tough one. I bought 3 books from Soundforth at a flute convention one year and was very disappointed in most of the arrangements. I'm VERY picky when it comes to the pieces I play in church. But of the different books this one has the best. However, I play this arrangement more then anything else. For church I want classy not showy and sometimes the arrangements are too showy.
Thank you for these advices! I got an old wooden flute which my great-grand father owned and after couple of months of trying to learn how to play it by myself I realised that it has been probably made for bigger hands than I have. I play also the piano and I have no issues because of the size of my fingers or hands in general. So this surprised me a lot. I realised that I probably need two thumb ports for both of my fingers because it feels very uncomfortable to cover all the holes compared to playing a soprano recorder. Although the flute itself is quite short, almost like a soprano recorder, some holes are too far away from each other. Can it mean that I really need a different instrument or is it possible that two thumb ports would solve most of my problems? I also ended up with having tension and pain in my right hand while and after playing... The right hand feels worse with covering the holes properly and resting the thumb. What would you suggest?
That doesn't sound good for you. I have played some old flutes and the bore size is bigger then a metal flute. I would trial a modern flute and see if that does solve your problems. One wooden flute I was trying was made recently but the bore was bigger and my hands did not like it. You definitely need a solution and trying a modern silver flute to see if it would feel better in your hands is a good place to begin. Keep me posted on how you are doing.
@@DoctorFlute Oh, the sizes of the holes really might be the issue. I will try a silver one. I am curious. Although, I have a strong connection to my flute and it makes me sad that playing it causes me problems. But comfort and health are of more importance than anything else. Thank you!
I dont feel tension BUT my daughter and I both have very long flexible/Loose jointed fingers. I notice we both play with the slanted right hand. Its become noticeable for me as I am trying out new flutes to upgrade. I am noticing my index finger slant is hitting the csharp trill key? I am not sure if I can undo 35 yrs of bad hand positioning or not? Would a thumb port help those with very long fingers and flexible joints
Interesting, I’m. It sure a thumb port would help with that issue but it is a very low cost investment to find out. I would go for it and see if it helps.
