Hello. I have recently just started the flute [rented one from a store] and while I've been playing, I've noticed that my left index finger becomes stiff and it hurts. My right hand and the rest of my left hand is alright, it's just my index finger. Is this normal for a beginner? Or is it because I'm not holding it correctly? [I am self taught, so I don't have anyone to correct me]. Thank you.

Perhaps you are stiffening (sp?) your left index finger as you play, leading to the pain. As you play, be aware of what you are doing with that finger and think of things that might be making it hurt. Almost all beginners on any instrument have initial pains in their fingers and hands because they are doing something new, but these pains should go away quickly after you become accustomed to playing, if this is the case.

find a good teacher who will teach you to hold the flute properly, bad habits are hard to break

Yea..i know! Bad habits are really hard to break. i just got a private teacher before 8th grade, playing for 3 years without a teacher. YEA..i had a LOT of bad habits. I hold my flute VERY low, and i thought that's how you're supposed to hold it.because my friends in begining band did..heehee..yea. My tone suffered! And some notes, i would put a extra finger down..like the 1st finger in d2. that's was hard to break!..so yea, a teacher helped me so much..that's probably why i continue to play flute!^_^

I don't know if I'll be able to get a teacher, I'm already paying for violin lessons so I doubt I'd be able to get flute lessons, too.

I won't be able to see any teachers that play the flute over the summer, unless I happen to meet one [which probably won't happen.] I have, however, observed some pictures of professionals playing their flutes and I have tried to see what my problem was, and I think I may have it fixed. I tried fixing my left hand position a little, then playing for a while to see if it'd hurt at all, and it didn't hurt really [at least, not nearly as much.]

Hopefully next school year I'll be able to talk to the band teacher at my school and see if he'll be able to help me.

i used to experience finger pains when i was stil learning piano.
maybe because of everyday practices, my fingers got used to the movements.
no more finger pains.

OMG! i used to learn piano too... since 3rd grade..and the lessons would be like one hour loNG!! OH! did i hate piano lessons..
GEtting the CORRECT hand position for the piano takes a long time to develop. takes yEARS! i remember my teacher putting a strong grip over me..ouch! YUP..that's pain. I don't remember experincing a lot of finger pains for the flute..hmm. i had some wrist problem..but that's okay now..

OMG! i used to learn piano too... since 3rd grade..and the lessons would be like one hour loNG!! OH! did i hate piano lessons..
GEtting the CORRECT hand position for the piano takes a long time to develop. takes yEARS! i remember my teacher putting a strong grip over me..ouch! YUP..that's pain. I don't remember experincing a lot of finger pains for the flute..hmm. i had some wrist problem..but that's okay now..

<Added>

HAHA! double posting..those are great!:D

Sotomariku,

if you cannot afford a teacher, even for a couple of lessons (learn how to hold the instrument and the basics of the embouchure and tonging), here are a few ideas:

- get a book. Trevor Wye's collection have a few indications about the basics. I'm sure there are many other books out there, but that was the one I started with.

- approach the band in your school or community to get some advise form more advanced players, the director or teachers.

- search the Internet for videos on fluet playing and the like. But this could be very time consuming and results are far from being guaranteed.

- If you are young (no arthrosis or other age related illness), the pain is probably due to an awkard position or too much pressing. It could be that the flute is badly adjusted and you must press that key too much to get it sing.

Good luck!

Thank you, Jose, for the advice. I bought a decent book for the flute a while ago, and it's helping me a lot. Before school let out, I spoke to my orchestra teacher [who also plays the flute] and had him show me how to hold the flute correctly.. So I'm sure I have a good idea as to how to hold it.

And as for what was hurting my finger, I hadn't noticed that my flute fingering chart that came with my book had said to put my first finger on the SECOND key of the flute.. I was putting it on the first. So I was bending my first finger too far back, and that's what was hurting me. Duh..*hits self on head* :p

Luckily, I haven't been playing the flute long enoough to really get very used to playing that way. I am now holding it correctly, and playing the flute is pain-free.

Thanks for all the advice.

<Added>

After reading the posts on how it takes years to develop the correct hand position for the piano.. Now I'm worried about playing the piano and being self taught.. *looks up information on internet and goes to store to buy a piano book*

You are welcome. I'm glad to see that my simple advise was helpful. I does not happens very often!.

I do not play piano (I tried to learn but i found it too difficult and requiring too much time), but my children did and the teachers told me several times that learning the correct position is important, because if the player gets used to a wrong position it is considerably difficult to correct it later.

However, there have been top level masters that had a non-orthodox playing technique: I believe Glenn Gould was one of them. And his interpretation of Bach's works are still considered to be one of the bests, ever...

Right. Correct hand is so crucial in piano. I was taught by a college student for 2 years and she didn't show me the CORRECT hand position. My next teacher, a very experinced person, helped me with my hand position. Once you master that, it's much easier to play. You'll be able to play comfortably. That's just from my experince.^__^ if i can call it that!

After reading the posts on how it takes years to develop the correct hand position for the piano.. Now I'm worried about playing the piano and being self taught..

hey, don't feel that way of being self taught.
it's ok!
i was only taught with the basics of piano, but the rest was a hardwork of self teaching too.
books are useful, i agree on that.

I think I'll do okay with the piano. I should be able to meet up with someone I know who has been playing the piano for many years. I'm also fairly good at breaking bad habits, so if I've developed any by now, I dont' think they should be too hard to break.