Program Overview for New Players

Understanding the Flute

The Native American style flute is not a whistle; you do not blow into it—you breathe into it. Think of it as allowing your breath to flow gently into the flute.

• If the flute's voice sounds whispery, try using more breath.

• If the flute squeals, you may be using too much breath, or one of the finger holes is not completely covered.

 

The Importance of Playing Slowly

A common misconception among new players is that playing fast makes you sound better or appear more accomplished. This is far from true!

• Playing slowly, clearly, and with ease is far more challenging—and far more beautiful—than playing quickly and sloppily.

• As you learn something new, begin slowly. You are essentially reprogramming your muscle memory. Speed will come naturally over time as you build confidence and coordination.

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Play, Don’t “Practice”

I encourage you not to think of this as "practice." Instead, play with the flute. Learning through playful, short sessions will help you improve faster and enjoy the process.

• Play for three to five minutes, once or twice a day. This approach is more effective than playing for an hour once or twice a week.

• The mind learns best from many short, enjoyable repetitions rather than long, frustrating practice sessions.

A good example: A friend of mine learned quickly by keeping his flute next to his favorite chair. Whenever a commercial came on the TV, he muted the sound and simply played around with the flute.

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Steps to Learning the Flute

Step 1: Play Clear Notes

1. Start by using the finger chart provided (below).

2. Focus on the red dots first—they represent your starting notes.

3. As you gain comfort, begin adding the positions indicated by the blue and yellow dots.

Note: You’ll begin by playing very simple songs. This is not to embarrass you; think of it as learning songs your children or grandchildren would enjoy. These simple songs are tools to teach your hands the correct fingering patterns.

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Step 2: Add Rhythm

Once you can play clear notes, the next step is to incorporate rhythm.

• You likely already know rhythm through the familiar, simple songs you started with.

• Playing along with backing tracks is an excellent way to develop your sense of rhythm.

Tip: Before you play, take a moment to feel the rhythm in your body. Let it settle in, and then pick up your flute.

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Step 3: Implement Embellishments

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Two Schools of Playing

At this stage, you will begin to understand what I call the two schools of playing the flute:

1. Playing Songs
   This approach is rooted in structure—playing songs as our culture typically understands music.

2. Improvisation and Spiritual Expression
   The other school is about improvising and playing from the heart. This is where the flute becomes a tool for emotional and spiritual expression.

It is at this point that you may experience the deeper gifts of flute playing—healing, self-reflection, and resilience. One of our members described this beautifully as the balance of yin and yang. My personal experience aligns with this: playing the flute helps harmonize body, mind, and spirit.

Final Thoughts

Approach your flute journey with curiosity, patience, and playfulness. You are not just learning an instrument; you are unlocking a path to personal expression and balance. Enjoy every step of the way!