Welcome to the HOMEPAGE of FIEP the FLUTE
(Homepage van Fiep de Dwarsfluit)
 
 This site will no longer be updated because it has been moved to
Leffef Flute Sheet Music.
 
 
 
    who I am?
    info about the flute
    learning  / playing flute
    flute sheet music/play along
    useful and funny flute images a.o.
    homepage composer Frits Leffef
    links
 
 
 
 
 





 
WHO I AM?

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Hello,
I'm Fiep the Flute and on this page I will give you lots of info and tips how to make us good friends. You can also find me in learn - and playbooks like "FLUTE LESSONS WITH FIEP" by Frits Leffef. They contain much flute info and sheet music with styles of today like pop, rock, latin, jazz, but also classical. There are books for 1, 2 (duet), 3 (trio) and 4 instruments (quartet). Most books have accompaniment on CD, so you can play along with f.i. an orchestra. 		  FIEP the Flute


 
THE FLUTE

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 Construction  
Due to its construction and the way the sound is produced, the flute is rated among the woodwinds. The modern flute is made of ebony, grenadilla or an alloy of copper and silver. It can be silver-, gold- or platinum-plated.  
  
A modern flute consists of three parts: The headjoint, the body and the footjoint.

In the body and the footjoint you'll find the finger holes, which are in case of a metal flute surrounded by the saddle. The holes are closed by means of the keys.
The lip-plate with the air hole is attached to the headjoint.

The part of the headjoint that is put inside the body, is the tuning slide. The part of the body that is put inside the footjoint is called the tenon.

The body and the footjoint are build cylindrical; the headjoint is conical. 		 
  
flute  
  
The headjoint is closed by an adjustable cork, which has an adjust button on it. The distance between the cork and the air hole affects the tuning of the octaves. In most instruments they are in tune if the distance between the cork and a point half way the air hole equals the diameter of the headjoint on that point. In many flute cases you'll find a wipe stick on which this distance is marked.  
  
The original flute, or traverso, had 6 small finger holes; like the treble recorder. Today the flute has big holes that are closed with keys directly or by means of levers. This mechanism makes the fingering much easier. It is called Böhmsystem after its inventor Theobald Böhm (1794-1881).  


 

LEARNING TO PLAY THE FLUTE

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the flute


 

LEARNING TO PLAY THE FLUTE: requirements

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learning to play the flute
 
 Minimum age  
The minimum age for learning to play the flute is approximately 10 years, depending on the strength and length of your arms. Are they too short then you can consider to buy a shorter flute (= with a curved headjoint).  
 
 Maximum age  
Hi, hi, there isn't any!  
 
 Body  
Producing a warm sound and a clear attack isn't only a matter of good will and regular practise. They also depend on the shape of your innermouth and the placing and shape of teeth and lips:  
  • The higher the roof of the mouth, the greater the sound.
  • If there are gaps between the front teeth, or you cannot place the jaws/teeth one on top of the other, you've got a big problem.
  • The positioning of the lips is ideal when the opening between them is small, round and in the center. Some people are not able to do so because the upperlip has no groove in the center but a pointed shape instead. As a result they get 2 openings between the lips or they tend to play sideways. They will never have a warm, beautiful baroque sound and will always have problems with the attack (but still can be world-famous).
  • A large tonque, or lisping, is not a problem if you've got a teacher who knows all about the use of the tonque.


 
LEARNING TO PLAY THE FLUTE: taking flute lessons

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learning to play the flute
  
Do you want to learn to play the flute without taking music lessons? It is an option, but buy at least a book that gives a detailed explanation. There are several flute methods on the market with classical - and folk music. They have however the disadvantage of being old-fashioned and the music isn't always interesting. So, if it is more your taste to practise with music of today like pop, rock, latin en jazz, then you will have to buy my book 'FLUTE LESSONS WITH FIEP'. Not only is it very motivating, but it's also better and faster as a method.  


 

LEARNING TO PLAY THE FLUTE: purchase flute

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learning to play the flute
  
  • Buy a new or used flute with perfect closing keys, and with a tenon, tuning slide (see the flute above) and rods that work not loose. 
  • Never buy a flute that's too cheep ( = with an original price less then about 400 US dollars). After a year or so the mechanism, tenon and tuning slide are worn out.
  • Don't buy a flute that is too expensive ( = original price approximately between 400 and 1000 US dollars). What they offer more is not worth the money.
  


 

  
Most of the next info and tips are from my book 'FLUTE LESSONS WITH FIEP'. Nevertheless, many of them are not only useful for the beginner. (They are protected by law and you are only allowed to copy them from this Website and only for private use).
 
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. 		basics
looking after your flute
 blowing direction and embouchure
 positioning of the hands
 fingering / chart
breath control
 
 


 
PLAYING THE FLUTE: 1. basics

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playing the flute
  
From its family name 'transverse flute' follows that the flute is played transverse. Seen from the player it is hold with the headjoint to the left. The airhole in the headjoint must be in line with the first upper key (C).

The tones are produced by:
  • Blowing across the air hole in the headjoint, against its outer edge.
  • Changing the tension and position of the lips. This is called the embouchure.
  • Using the keys or finger holes. Closing them, makes the flute in principle longer and by doing so you will get a lower tone (within the range of an octave).
  



PLAYING THE FLUTE: 2. looking after your flute

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playing the flute
  
Learning to play the flute means also learning to look after it. The flute will repay your care by better and longer working for you.  
 
 Assembling and disassembling the flute 
To assemble the parts take the body with care in your left or right hand and put the headjoint in by turning it clockwise. Do the same with the footjoint. Turn anti-clockwise for disassembling. The turning will prevent the tuning slide and tenon from wearing irregular and becoming oval. Grease them regularly with vaseline or special grease from the instrument shop.
After that, hold the instrument in front of you with the head joint upward and the upper key of the longest row of keys towards you. Now the air hole in the lip-plate must point at you. If this isn't the case, turn the headjoint in the correct position. The longest rod of the footjoint must point to the middle of the lowest key of the body.
Don't assemble and disassemble above an uncarpetted floor until you have enough experience !
 
 Parking the flute 
There is no need to put the flute in its box when you play it regularly. When you use a flute stand, put the whole at a place where it cannot be knocked over (especially during a break if you play in an orchestra).
 
 Handling the flute-box 
When opening the box, be sure the lid is on top.
Don't place the wipe cloth in the box on top of the flute when there is hardly any space for it.
Before picking up the box, be sure it is safely locked!
 
 The adjust button of the flute 
If this button works loose, often because of transporting the flute (on your bike or in the car), turn it only finger tight. Don't tighten it too much or you may alter the position of the cork, on which it is screwed. This will affect the tuning.
 
 Cleaning the outside of the flute 
  • Don't polish any metal part with silver or brass polish. It ruins the protective coat of lacquer and will quicken oxidation. The same goes for prepared silver polish cloth. Rather clean the flute with a shammy (no artificial), using methylated spirits or special lacquer polish for wind instruments (like saxophone and trombone).
  • For spots difficult to reach, use a shammy with a pricker. Don't use cotton buds, because they may scratch.
  • Clean the lip-plate regularly with a damp cloth.
  • Polish with care in order not to bring damage to the springs, which holds the keys open. They are very thin and bent easily. If they come loose from the key, make a little notch on end of a match with your nail and use it to grasp the spring and push it on its place.
 Cleaning the inside of the flute 
During play water may condense in the flute. Wipe it with a part of a thick handkerchief or shammy. Cut the part like in the drawing:
  
wiper
 
Use this wipe cloth as follows:
  • Hold the cloth at an angle to the stick and put A in the hole.
  • Fold A back against the stick and clasp it with the right forefinger. Hold the other end of the cloth firmly with the left hand.
  • Give the stick a half turn to the right with your right thumb.
  • Fold B with help of your left hand over the tip of the stick and hold it firmly between the left thumb and forefinger.
  • Roll the cloth on the stick by turning the stick to the right with your right thumb and forefinger.
  • Wipe each individual part of the flute. Turn the wiper continuously to the right; otherwise the cloth will unfold itself.
Using this method the tip of the stick is well covered and it cannot scratch the inside of the flute. Besides that there is enough cloth around the tip to clean the head joint totally.
 
 Background noice of the keys of the flute 
If a key makes a sticking sound when you release it, then the pad in it and the edge of the saddle are dirty. Place a piece of blank paper between them, press the key gently and push and pull the paper several times. Doesn't this do the job, then use a little bit of talcum powder (= baby's bottom powder) on the paper. Doesn't this do the job, clean pad and saddle with water or methylated spirits using a small paint brush. Be careful, the pad can be destroyed easily! The cause of dirty keys is often dried spit, which has got there because the flute is held to often with the wrong side up while it is not wiped properly.
 
 Possible causes of tones that doesn't sound 
If you change tones, having different fingerings, and the first tone keeps sounding, then the key of that tone is wet. This is because you held the flute with the wrong side up. Dry it with a piece of blank paper.
The rod casings, to which the keys are attached to, are hold by tiny screws. They can work loose during play, or transportation on your bike. The rod of the B key can also work loose during play. Check this regularly and, if necessary, tighten them with a small screwdriver, but not too much, or the mechanism will bind.


 
PLAYING THE FLUTE: 3. blowing direction and embouchure

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playing the flute
  
 Blowing direction     Fiep says:"Play flute and you can blow a joint without being chased by the police".
If the tones are low you must aim the air high over the lip-plate; the higher the tone the more you have to aim the airflow in the air hole. This isn't easy to learn, because it is unnatural. So remind: high tones, nose down; low tones, nose up.
 
 Embouchure 
All handling of the lips and the lower jaw, needed to play a wind instrument, is called embouchure. It can be divided in the following 4 subjects:
 
  1. The lower jaw.
    To play you have to place your lower lip against the lip-plate. The lower lip will therefor be pushed inwards and this makes the opening between both lips too big. To prevent this, the lower jaw must be placed in a forward position.
  2. Narrow mouth.
    Pushing the corners of the mouth inwards makes the opening between the lips round. This produces a much warmer tone with no leaking of air. It is not easy to learn; draw in your cheeks, like you want to bite on them.
  3. Tension of the lips.
    While playing, the airflow tends to move your lips. To prevent this you must give them tension. The higher the tone, the greater this tension must be.
    The muscles between mouth and nose regulate the upper lip tension. Pull them in a downward-sideward direction. You will feel that mainly just below your nostrils, which are opening.
    The muscles between the lower lip and the chin in front of the canine teeth regulate the lower lip tension, which pushes that lip upwards. Pulling the muscles a little against these teeth will give support.
    Mention that lip tension is highest near the corners of the mouth.
  4. Full lips.
    If the airflow has a thin tubular shape it produces a much warmer tone with no leaking of air. So you must play with fleshy lips. This is accomplished by closing your mouth in a normal way and then turning the inner side of the lips outward.
    If you play with stiff lips, pulling the outside inwards and making the tension around the opening between the lips higher, the airflow gets a cone shape. This produces a thinner tone and leaking of air.

    Remind always: If you must press the lip-plate strongly against your lowerlip in order to get a tone, your embouchure is BAD, BAD, uuuh BAD!
  


 
PLAYING THE FLUTE: 4. positioning of the hands

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playing the flute
  
 Positioning of thumb and fingers of the left hand    
Remembering the fingering is easy if you start with the key for the little finger. You will find it halfway the body where it sticks out.
  
It is in fact a lever that opens or closes a key (see the drawing).
Contrary to the fingers the thumb can be placed either on one or two keys:
On the double-key (= a key and a lever are pushed at the same time) or on the B-key (= only the key is pushed). For the time being you must only use the B-key. 		  Positioning of the left hand
  
 Positioning of the left hand    
You must keep your left hand in such a position that the body of the flute rests on an elevation on the inside of your hand just underneath the forefinger. To do so you must place the wrist below the body of the flute while the palm of the hand is lifted straight up. This is not an easy task because the left forearm must be held in a more horizontal position.  
 
 Positioning of thumb and fingers of the left hand  
Here also the positioning of thumb and fingers is easy to remember when you start with the little finger. It is placed on thefirst key of the footjoint. In fact this is a lever which opens (when pressed) and closes a key (when released). In almost any case it must be pressed.
The other fingers are successively placed on the nearest big keys of the body.
The thumb is placed underneath the forefinger. This is tricky yet because the little finger is inexperienced. In this stage you may therefore place the thumb more to the right in order to support the little finger.

 Remind always: If you must press the lip-plate strongly against your lower lip to prevent that the flute slips off, the positioning of your hands is BAD, BAD, uuuh BAD!


 
PLAYING THE FLUTE: 5. fingering

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playing the flute
  
The flute has more keys than we have fingers. The system is designed in such a way that there's almost no need to move the fingers along the flute: almost any finger has its own key. So many keys are in contact with others.  
 
 Fingerings and the quickest way learning them 
The combination of fingers with wich a tone is played, is called a fingering. Many students move those fingers, that are not used with a certain fingering, far away from the keys. Try to avoid this from the start and keep the fingers as close to the keys as possible. By doing so you will learn to manage fast runs much sooner and you will prevent stress of the finger, hand and arm muscles. 
Because it's not possible to see the fingers while playing, it is very useful to practice each new fingering 'dry'. This is done in a sitting position by placing the flute on the right upper leg with the headjoint on the left shoulder. Then do the following:
  • Grab a tone you already learned and look very concentrated at the position of each finger. (Describing the position will help a lot). 
  • Make then a picture in your mind of the movement and position of the finger(s) necessary to get the new tone.
  • After that grab the new tone. Alternete the two fingerings in a slow tempo (but with fast movement of the fingers); keep looking! In case more than one finger has to close a key listen carefully whether they are closing together or not.
When you carry out 'dry practice' attentively you'll notice that 1. it takes only a moment of time, and 2. the fingers are doing there job automatically while playing. This is the essence of what I call the Fiepian Method. I will talk about that later. This method is not only useful for the beginner, but for the advanced player also. It works better, faster and will prevent you from getting RSI.
 
On the FingeringChart you'll find the most common fingerings.


NOTHING FOUND SO FAR?   
That's a pitty, but may be you'll find something to your liking here:
 Leffef Sheet Music.
   
HAVE FUN ! 
   
Frits Leffef
26 nov 2006
 


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