We had a 9th grader join the flute section in my high school band this year. Said 9th grader had never once touched a flute in his life until he showed up at band on thursday. As section leader, the task of teaching this kid how to play the flute has fallen to me. We are playing all advanced pieces this year since 20 of the 50 people in band are seniors, and there is no way on earth this poor guy will be able to catch up to the rest of us enough to handle the music.

The worst part is, I can tell he really wants to be a part of the band. Our pieces just aren't appropriate for beginners...every other person in band has been playing for at least 3 years, and many of them have been playing twice that.

I lead the flute sectionals, but I have never had to teach a complete beginner who has no flute experience how to play. I'm going to ask my teacher about the best way to go about teaching him, and any advice I can get would be well appreciated.

Of course, I am going to refer him to lessons from a professional as well.

"

We had a 9th grader join the flute section in my high school band this year. Said 9th grader had never once touched a flute in his life until he showed up at band on thursday.

I find it somewhat interesting that more kids are changing instruments or starting later these days.

As section leader, the task of teaching this kid how to play the flute has fallen to me. We are playing all advanced pieces this year since 20 of the 50 people in band are seniors, and there is no way on earth this poor guy will be able to catch up to the rest of us enough to handle the music. The worst part is, I can tell he really wants to be a part of the band. Our pieces just aren't appropriate for beginners...every other person in band has been playing for at least 3 years, and many of them have been playing twice that. I lead the flute sectionals, but I have never had to teach a complete beginner who has no flute experience how to play. I'm going to ask my teacher about the best way to go about teaching him, and any advice I can get would be well appreciated. Of course, I am going to refer him to lessons from a professional as well."

Suggesting professional instruction is your best comment because the pro can organize the learning experience correctly and they can spot the changes that need to be made that may not be apparent to a person who's not done this before.
The real tendency of what I'd consider fault is the teach the pieces before the fundamentals and techniques are solidified. Doing this is like teaching a talent for a beauty pageant contestant and not teaching the person to be a well-rounded musician.
My best suggestion is to encourage them. And of course suggest loads of practice.
~bilbo
N.E.Ohio

He originally wanted to play bass clarinet, but we already have a bass clarinet player so he was stuck with the flutes.

This kid is being set up for a bad experience with our band. I feel bad for him. I'm not sure if he is going to stick with flute or not, otherwise I would recommend that he buys his own so he isn't stuck with a school flute. Im going to point him towards the city beginner band anyway. Our director can't understand how trying to learn this way just won't be a positive experience. It should be her recommending that he look into the city beginner band and take private lessons, not me. She said that if I can't teach him, she will, and she is a trombone player who isnt even sure about how to hold a flute.

Hopefully he finds his place in the city beginner band...

One of the local school bands used to start the beginners with only private lessons.
No band until they cold pass a rudimentary try-out.
That was the band was off to a good start.

Rarely do school horns play well for very long.
They usually need something fixed.
THat is unfortunate because it's really hard to learn on a school instrument.
~bilbo
N.E. Ohio

I'd simplify parts for him. Leave out all the runs and difficult rythms. Let him play along when there are long notes and really simple things. And practice with him personally.