Wendy Reed's D Flute Finger Chart

Notes:

Place left hand on top 3 holes and right hand on next 3 holes. The 2 bottom holes are not covered. Use 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers on each hand.(forget about thumb and smallest finger). The important thing to do is to make sure that all the hole is covered.

For the higher octave use the same fingering but air flow must be excellerated. Upper D does not require all holes covered but use top 2 holes only. To play C natural, either half cover the top hole or cover only the 2nd and 3rd holes from top. If you practice half holing you can achieve some lovely bent notes. I especially enjoy moving my 2nd finger of the right hand bending up to the F# note. For G# half cover the 3rd hole from top with the ring finger. Another beautiful effect can be achieved on that note bending from G# to the A.

Some hints for Beginners

Embouchure:

Aim for a small stream of air to hit the far side of the embouchure(blowing hole). Try not to waste air over the top of hole or to the sides so adapt your lips to narrow your stream of air. I have designed the embouchure so that the affect is rich and easy to blow. If you get giddy to begin with, put your head between your legs for a moment. Truely this is no joke. It is a bit like skydiving - that tilting of your head as you free fall down and the rush of sensory overload.

WOW!!

Did you ever think playing a flute would give you such a buzz? You have probably been expelling too much air and wasting your energy if you got dizzy. If you find the exact position, it should be easy to play and require little effort. You should also be aware of a slight vibration under each finger pad. I designed the flute to achieve this. Start to think of each finger and be aware of it's position, making sure that each of the holes is fully covered.

Check your Lips in the Mirror

Get yourself a mirror on a stand, no, not for checking how beautiful you look but to check your lips and the horizontal position of the flute. The flute should be level with your lips and at a right angle to you neck so lift it up if you have let it drop down. If you are a beginner, you may need to look in the mirror for a few weeks to check your playing position.

Use diaphramatic breathing.

Have Fun and make some Lovely MUSIC!

Why don't you record yourself each week and then play the recordings back in a few weeks time. You will be pleasantly surprised at just how much your playing has improved. You could even make tape recordings or burn a CD and give them for presents to your friends.

Surprise your grandmother The sky is the limit!

I forgot to say just play in short bursts in the beginning, gradually increasing your practice time. It will take a while to master this instrument. Keep perservering!