i just got my flute a couple of days ago - OMG - it is h a r d.

I thought i`d be ok without buying a `how to play flute` book, but i wasn`t so i got one. there are so many difficult things i need to ask - this could be a long list, but here goes.

a ) how do you support the flute when you play a C with only 1 finger on the top, i know the bottom Eb key and right hand thumb should support it but it`s really hard and the flute keeps moving and ruiing the embouchere (is that what it`s called on a flute).

b ) is it supposed to be so hissy when you play ? i know i`m only just beginning but i can`t seem to get the hissiness to go away - does it just go with time ?

c ) how do you play the second octave notes where you simply change the mouth position and it jumps the octave - i can get this to work sometimes, but there is always an undertone of the octave below - any tips on fixing this ?

d ) is it supposed to be as difficult as it is to go from B > C > D > E across the `break` (i only know clarinet terminology) - the fingering of C to D to E is so difficult and seems entirely unnatural - any tips again.

also - any tips generally on how to play this instrument, good ways to inprove, and all that - thanks

P.S. - i have a great deal of new found respect for flutists. you guy are amazing - lol

I started teaching myself about a month ago. I found I got the most help from a beginner DVD.

I`m not an authority by any means, but I think many of your troubles are just a matter of developing the right muscles. For instance, the hissiness and the unsteady octaves; I find I have both of those problems when I practice less, or go a few days without practicing. The more I play, the stronger the right muscles get. Also, just keep experimenting because it`s going to be a little different for everyone. Try slightly different angles, etc. I find when I get lazy I let the flute sag off of the perpendicular arrangement with my head, and I start to get bad sounds.

Why did I say "a month ago"?

Brain fart.

...about seven months ago.

1. Are you suppporting the flute with the fleshy bit at the side of your left first finger, between the second and third joint from the nail?

2. Like a boring, stuck record here, may I suggest that the following 2 links may be helpful:

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Resources/FluteLessons2.html

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Resources/FluteLessons.html

Oh and let me add another think. Make sure that your parents buy you the best kind of flute. Make sure it is a GOLD one. Maybe you could get some tips from Bob.

Is that serious, or confusing and unhelpful sarcasm? If it is the latter, then perhaps it should be removed.

No, of course I am serious. Lighten up Arak!

Then you are giving thoroughly inappropriate advice to a person starting off, and I believe you know it.

Why be so thoroughly unhelpful to a person who has come here for sensibel advice?

kara and arak are the same person right?

Hmm??? Let me see now... If you take the K off off Kara and put it on the end, it is spelled Arak. Pretty interesting. Maybe it is the same person.

Same name spelled backwards. Maybe because they have a history of having such opposite opinions on things?

I don`t know, but both a pretty ignorant. They both share that.

If you were attentive in this forum, or did a search, you would find the EXACT origin of the nom-de-plume `Arak`. Definitely NOT Kara; it surely does not take much perception and consciousness to realise THAT!

Now perhaps `someone` could be equally enlightening about `someone`! :-)

There has been stranger things.

Now that sounds interesting! How do you do a search on this forum? On another forum that I`m on you can list all posts by a particular person, and a bunch of other options. I didn`t know that could be done on 8notes. What else can you do? Is there a "profile" section, or other things? Is there an explanation/direction page somewhere that maybe I overlooked.