When you choose to take flute lessons for beginners, you’re becoming part of a long and rich history.
Instruments called “flutes” have been in existence since the Paleolithic era, but they were made from animal bones and held like modern recorders. The instruments that we think of as flutes came into the fray in the 17th century.
But why are flute lessons still popular? What’s kept this instrument beloved throughout centuries? Read on to learn why playing the flute is awesome and how you and your child can get started.
Why Take Flute Lessons for Beginners?
First and foremost, the flute is an extremely fun instrument to play.
It’s fairly easy to learn once you get your breathing and posture down. You won’t just be playing scales within a couple of months. You’ll likely be playing full songs pretty quickly.
This means that it’s easy to feel accomplished when you play the flute. It’s a ton of fun for adults who want to start jamming out to songs ASAP. It’s also ideal for kids who you want to keep interested in music so they stay engaged.
Versatility Offers More Excitement
Many people think that flute lessons exclusively mean learning classical music. However, this is far from the case, especially with flute lessons for beginners.
While classical songs and folk tunes can be fun to fiddle with, the flute is super versatile. You can play almost anything you want!
Flutes also frequently show up in jazz and world music, so you can play songs from tons of different cultures. Lots of pop musicians use flutes (and electric flutes) in their background music.
Whether you or your child want to play a favorite Taylor Swift song or an indie jazz tune, the possibilities are limitless.
Simple Convenience
Flutes are an extremely portable instrument. They’re common in marching bands, so if you’re a kid or parent looking for scholarship opportunities, flute lessons for beginners might pay off. After all, college marching bands can be a huge way to get some college tuition checks paid.
But even if you don’t know whether you’re going to become that serious about playing the flute, it’s still a convenient instrument to learn.
You can take it apart and put it in a case that’s smaller than some purses. It’s easy to hold and carry around. If you have a durable case, you can slip it into a backpack or airplane carry-on so that you don’t need to be without your creative outlet when traveling.
You also don’t need to worry about finding and replacing reeds since flutes don’t use them. Temperature and humidity won’t get to a flute because it’s basically made entirely of metal. Storage and transit are extremely simple and efficient.
Choosing the Right Flute
There are many different flute options available, and it’s important to decide what you want to try before you start your flute lessons for beginners. Some have open holes. Others have features like C-sharp trill keys, D-sharp rollers, or B footjoints.
Beginners don’t need to mess with these extra mechanisms when they’re just starting out. Stick to traditional specifications. Get a flute with:
- Closed holes
- E mechanism (sometimes called a Split E flute)
- C footjoint
Traditional flutes aren’t just the easiest option to learn. They’re also basic enough to be versatile so that you can play multiple types of music. You won’t be boxed into a flute that can only perform in specific ways.
Plus, if after you start your flute lessons for beginners and decide you want to switch it up in a few years for yourself or your child, you always have that option!
Choose the Right Size
Most flutes only come in one size. However, if you’re smaller or are getting a flute for a child, you can purchase a curved headjoint to attach to the flute. This headjoint brings the flute’s keys closer to the player’s body.
The right headjoint means better posture. It also means neck and back pain could arise.
Very young players (>7) may not want to start with a full-on flute. An apprentice flute or fife might work best for those little hands. They can graduate to a normal flute when they grow bigger.
Opt for Quality
Regardless of what you choose to get before starting flute lessons for beginners, opt for a high-quality instrument. Good, high-end materials will ensure that your flute lasts for a long time. You won’t need to worry about it rusting or staining assuming that you take proper care of it.
A flute made by a reputable brand will hold onto its value. Yamaha, Trevor James, and Gemeinhardt are all reliable. You may even find that the flute is worth more in a few years than it currently is, so you don’t need to worry about depreciation.
How to Choose the Right Music Instructor
Once you have a flute, it’s time to find a music teacher in San Diego. Make sure that you look for someone local. You need the ability to go to the music school for in-person flute lessons for beginners.
It’s also important that your chosen teacher has experience with the flute. They should be able to play it well. They also should have worked with flute students before so that they can deliver quality instruction.
If you’re scheduling flute lessons for children 17 and younger, you also need an instructor who’s worked with kids before. They’ll have all the knowledge, skills, and tools to make lessons engaging for young ones. This ensures that they’ll feel encouraged to continue making music and look forward to their weekly flute lessons for beginners.
Prioritize Regular Reports
Parents need frequent updates on how their child is doing in their flute lessons for beginners. If you’re the parent, this lets you know how you can best help your kid hone their skills during daily practice. Encouraging them to practice freely is important, but you also should know where they’re doing well vs where they’re struggling so that you can help them along effectively.
Make sure that your child’s flute instructor will provide you with updates regularly. There should be a predetermined time for them to do this so you aren’t left guessing what your child needs help with.
However, you also need to feel comfortable communicating with your child’s flute instructor. You can ask questions about their progress, what roadblocks they’re facing, and how you can help them practice at home. You’ll get expert insight into how you can encourage them to play.
You’ll also likely get information about what sheet music you need to buy them, whether you need to purchase any accessories, or what music you can listen to at home to encourage your child to play.
Interview Potential Music Teachers
It’s important that you schedule an appointment to talk with prospective music teachers. This will give you the chance to ask questions about their experience and methods. It will also give you a feel for your personality so that you know whether they’ll mesh well with you and/or your child.
Ask questions about what kinds of music they intend to have your child play. Inquire about how they plan to instruct them, what methods they use, and how they can tailor lessons especially to your child’s needs. This is especially important for individual one-on-one flute lessons for beginners since you’re paying for personalized instruction.
See how they track progress and communicate this progress to you. Determine whether they know how to make playing the flute a fun and rewarding experience. After all, kids thrive with encouragement; if they don’t get it, they’ll lose their enthusiasm and quit.
If you’re scheduling music lessons for young flute enthusiasts, take your child along to this interview if possible. They’ll immediately know whether the instructor seems like a good fit for them. You can gauge their interactions to ensure that your child is in good hands.
What to Expect During Music Lessons
Expectations for flute lessons for beginners will shift depending on whether you buy private or public lessons.
During a private lesson, you can expect the flute teacher to work one-on-one with your child. They’ll be able to choose some of their own music and get constant feedback on what they’re doing correctly. They won’t need to share their time with other students and can freely ask questions.
If you get group lessons for your child, they’ll share the time with 4-5 other students who play the flute. They’ll get tips on how to make music together and collaborate to play exciting songs from expert-written books. This can be a fun way to make friends with similar interests and learn teamwork along the way.
You also will be able to sit in on your child’s flute lessons for beginners in some situations. Talk to flute teachers about how you can do this and whether you should. This will let you see what they’re up to and how well they respond to instruction.
Start Taking Flute Lessons For Beginners Today
Now that you have all the information you need about flute lessons for beginners, it’s time to find an instructor. Our experienced music teachers are excited to share their passion for playing the flute with you and your family. We’re committed to offering quality solo and group lessons for people from all walks of life.
Contact Staump Music School to learn more about flute lessons for beginners in San Diego.
