Before you begin this lesson make sure you have read lessons 1 - 3, which means you can tongue a note on your flute headjoint while sitting with good posture. In addition, you should be familiar with whole half and quarter notes and rests, understand time signatures and baronies. If you are confused about any of this, review the previous lessons before going on.

We will now begin our first playing exercise, using just the headjoint:





Notice this piece consists of four measures, the first and third measure contain whole notes and the second and fourth whole rests.

Before you play, click on the button to listen to the piece being played with a simple drum accompaniment.

You will hear a count-off of four beats, then the music will start. This is where you will start playing when you are ready to begin.

When you are ready, try listening to the accompaniment track you will use to play the piece.





After the countoff, the accompaniment will play for four beats, then everything will drop out for four beats while the drums keep playing. This is the second measure where you will take a four count rest. This is a good place to take a breath. The third and fourth measures are another group of whole note followed by whole rest, but this time the accompaniment does not drop out on the fourth measure.

Now that you've listened to it a few times, it's time to play along!

Sit with good posture, place the headjoint under your lip and make sure you are getting a good tone. Take a deep, quiet breath, hit the play button, and after the four note countoff, start playing (make sure you tongue each note). Follow the music carefully, resting on the 2nd and 4th measures but playing on the 3rd.

Although this piece is simple, take some time to make sure you are getting a good solid tone, and make sure your note lasts the entire measure.