im a violinist who wants to learn the flute, i find it very confusing and dont know where to go about starting it. any suggestions?

Ummm well if I were you, I`d find a website or maybe a book with all the fingerings. http://www.markshep.com/flute/Fingers.html is an ok site. Also a tip, since you play violin, you may tend to curve your fingers more when playing the flute as if playing the violin (had the same problem) but you don`t have to, just lay your fingers kinda bent but lightly and not totally curved. Your fingers won`t be as tired after playing a long piece.

1. Get a good fingering chart. Learn some basic fingerings, such as the C one octave above middle C on the piano. Then go from there.
2. Find a method book at a music shop intended for complete beginners. I like Rubank`s series.
3. Practice long tones.
4. I started from violin as well. One thing I had trouble with was pressing the keys too hard with my left hand, since violin requires a lot of pressure from that hand. So watch that you keep your fingers light on the keys, otherwise you may get into a habit which can be VERY difficult to get rid of (believe me).
5. Listen to recordings of good flutists to get an idea of what tone you want. James Galway, Jean-Pierre Rampal, etc etc.
6. If something doesn`t seem right, it might be best to ask and make sure you`re not doing something wrong. Again, you could create a bad habit.

Flutes need a LOT of rosin. Pick up extra. I also reccomend pirastro olive flute strings. And get a good flute bow while you`re at it.

Pay no attention to Flute Scam. Anyway, I would suggest buying a fingering chart and starting at the middle range. Before you start playing though, make sure that you can make a sound out of the headjoint and have the correct hand position. A private teacher helps BIG time.

This may help. It was suggested in another flute forum.

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

The flute is really fun once u get comfortable to it !!!!!!! just get a fingering chart and just pratice puting down the fingers with no air at first remember u need to repeat something 21 times to memorize it !!!!!!!
hope this helps !!!!!!