When you play a high C# does it feel like you can’t quite hold onto the flute?
How do you stop that flute bobble?
By using the correct hand positions which give you 4 balance points, and enables you to hold the flute with confidence.
Balance Point 1 – Left Hand Shelf – Outside Pressing Toward You
One of the places where you need to check to see if you’re holding your flute properly is on your left hand. In between your knuckles on your first finger there’s a shelf that holds your flute.
To find this shelf, take your right index finger and run it down your left index finger between the first and second knuckles until you feel an indentation.
That indentation is the shelf where you place your flute. Your flute is going to rest right there.
You don’t put your hand horizontally underneath your flute. You are not holding up the flute from underneath. It’s rests gently on top of that knuckle.
When the flute is in the correct spot, you will be able to hold your flute up with little issue.
I help my younger students find their shelf by running my finger down their left index finger and pointing out the exact spot to rest their flute. Then I demonstrate how to put their left hand up to their flute, making a stop sign and putting their first finger second knuckle against the flute and sliding that finger down until the flute fits right on top of that shelf.
Balance Point 2 – Eb Pinky – Pressing Down From Above
Your second balance point is your Eb pinky. This pinky holds your flute from above and gives the counter balance to the right hand thumb.
Balance Point 3 – Right Hand Thumb – Holding Up From Below
Your right hand thumb is your third balance point holding your flute from below. Make sure your thumb isn’t sticking out too far or sitting back too far. It needs to be centered under your flute for good balance.
Balance Point 3 – Your Lip – Inside Pressing Away From You
Your lip is the fourth and final balance point giving pressure pointing away from you out toward the audience. You don’t want to have a lot of pressure on your lip because that will cause you to play flat. Keep it very loose so that the flute can be easily pulled away from your lip. You’re just providing stability with the other three points.
With the proper hand positions providing 4 balance points, you can play any note with the confidence that you will hold your flute securely!
Have fun!
DoctorFlute
Watch me demonstrate this: FluteTips 33 Stop Flute Bobble with 4 Balance Points
More on your hand positions: