I used to play the saxaphone, but my asthma made that REALLY hard. So, I decided to try flute under the (possible stupid) assumption that it would take less breath. I have rented a flute, and have some basic questions:
1) ON WHICH SIDE DO THE KEYS GO!!!?? I know how to put the thing together (and align it), but cannot, for the life of me, figure out if the keys go on my right or left.
2) What`re some good books with interesting, basic songs. Things like the simplified version of Star Wars. I just, really, really, REALLY hate "Mary Had a Little Lamb".
That`s it for now!

Lol, I did have a good laugh at it! Well, I`m not sure what exactly you mean, " if the keys go on my right or left." I suggest you get a teacher, or perhaps your band instructor can help you out. As for basic songs, maybe "America the Beautiful". And Disney has a lot of fun and simple song books; perfect for a beginner. Unless you feel too mature or don`t like Disney to begin with. Anyhow, go to your local music store and check out their music. Or go online and buy music. A beginner`s grade would be about "easy". jwpepper.com has a nice selection. Good luck! Oh, and about breath; at first you`ll use a lot but later on you`ll be able to use less and less. I read a crazy article on how flutists use as much air as a tuba player. Ridiculous and unnecessary. End of story.

Well, I`m self-teaching. This Wednesday I`m getting some video lessons from the library.
Forget about the right-or-left question. I`ll figure it out Weds.

Actually, if you`re having air problems, the flute isn`t the best choice. It takes the most air of all the woodwinds.
The instrument that takes the least air is the oboe. Only a little bit of air is needed to produce the sound. Or you could try a string instrument, they require no air at all.

Haha, good one! You`re right, string instruments require no air at all. I`ve always liked the cello and all the celloists that I ever knew were friendly people.

Air.... It depends on whether the issue is air QUANTITY (flute uses a lot, but not too much different from an alto or tenor sax, less than a baritone sax, a lot less than clarinet, and far less than oboe) or PRESSURE, where oboe uses most, and flute needs more than sax for the high notes, but probably less than sax for the lower half of the range.

If you are self teaching, then the following may help, and if you are going from sax, then the link from that article may help.

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

you may find the flute fingerings easy as they are basically the same. if thats already been said i havnt read the rest properly lol

I`ve also heard the flute uses the most air in all the winds, but it all depends on how you play, what note you`re palying etc. Flutes, are not the best choice for you at the beginning, you get really seriously dizzy the first time you try to get a note, it is kind of scary at first, because I thought I was doing something wrong, but now it`s all fine. And for whoever said that flute uses a lot of air in the high notes, I don`t personally think so, because you use less air, but faster air so it`s the same as using a lot of air, opening your mouth and slowly blowing on the lowwwww notes such as the low C. I don`t know about the oboe, but I don`t think they use so much air, just hard pressured air which might effect your lungs or something, but I don`t think oboes use more air than flutes. As someone said, I would take up some string instrument like cello, I love the sound, if you have serious problems with athsma (spell?)

I know in England there are therapeutic programs in which asthma sufferers are specifically taught the flute because the instrument helps them learn how to control their breathing patterns. So the flute is probably not as bad as you think in regards to asthma.

flute and less air is definitely not true...as you might have found out already. it teaches you how to use your air though and preserve it..yadayada...the flute goes on your right...but i can play both ways not recommended though as it screws up technique get some irish jigs...they are usually simple and are more pleasant than mary had a little lamb! (btw, thanks for the laugh! e-mai lme if you have any questions) Best of Luck!

First of all let me start off by saying that Ricki has no clue what she is talking about and please ignore any of her advice.
Second, fluteloops is right. The flute takes a lot of air. It is said to take the most air out of any woodwind instrument.
Again, Ricki PLEASE GET A CLUE!!!

Sorry I am so clueless. I never heard of a contrabass saxophone. I often eat strawberrys.