Is it healthy to play the flute?

Question:I just got flute, have never played it before, and while practising I'm getting very light headed and tired pretty fast so I have to stop and rest every 10 minutes. So does flute playing somehow improves our lungs, or anything else?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I just got flute, have never played it before, and while practising I'm getting very light headed and tired pretty fast so I have to stop and rest every 10 minutes. So does flute playing somehow improves our lungs, or anything else?

Playing the flute (or any instrument) is a healthy activity, when done properly. It is also deeply relaxing and lots of fun.

The number one cause of dizziness (or feeling light-headed) in flute players is over-blowing. Playing the flute requires the same amount of air as blowing bubbles. Practice blowing bubbles and then playing your flute. You will notice that playing requires a lot less air than most people believe.

Another added bonus to the bubble method is that it also improves your lip strength. You use a very similar lip position for flute playing as blowing bubbles. Your air has to be relaxed to get bubbles to come out. When your air is relaxed while playing you will get a rich tone (sound).

Your stomach should go out when you breathe in. A great exercise is to take a deep breathe in for 4 then exhale, through your mouth, for 8. Slowly build up the length of time you exhale, add a count every two or three days.

Practice long tones. Start out in the lowest register you can play. Sustain each note as long as you can. While you are playing the note pay close attention to how hard you are blowing. Take a few deep breathes between each note. work your way from the bottom up. This will also improve your tone.

Practice in front of a mirror. Many musicians lose their air to poor posture habits. Keep your spine straight and your shoulders square. This will help your air flow better.

If you are still struggling, get a private teacher. He/she will listen to you play and be able to tell you how to correct any problems you are having.

Good Luck

It'll take time to get used to the breathing. Any breath-powered instrument is going to take practice to get used to. Give it time- you'll be fine...or take up the accordian.

It will improve your lung capacity. The longer you play, the light-headedness will go away.

It can be difficult to play an instrument in the beginning. I play French horn, and I used to get so lightheaded I thought I was going to fall out of my seat.

You get used to it, and you begin getting more strength in your body to play longer and harder. Keep practicing, and if you keep getting lightheaded, talk to your instructor. They might have some better hints for you.

There are several breathing excercises you can learn to do that will not only help you to sound better later on, but increase your lung capacity and keep you from becoming lightheaded and tired. It's hard for me to explain without being able to demonstrate, but you'll notice if you lie down on your back, and place your hand on your stomach, that instead of your chest rising and falling as you might expect your stomach will do so instead. Try to achieve this type of breathing while standing up and holding your hand on your stomach. Inhale through your nose, filling your diaphragm with air. After inhaling start to slowly and steadily blow onto your hand in front of your face. Count to yourself in your head as you do so. Once you can reach up to 30 seconds then you'll be ready to learn vibrato, but for now if you can get to 15 or 20 it will greatly help your lungs. Once you figure out how this is done, you can take deeper breaths and hold the notes longer without having to take as many breaths. Then your lungs won't be as tired and it will improve your playing. For further information about this, and advice if you can't figure it out on your own, ask your music teacher or private instructor. I highly suggest getting private lessons if you're serious. They'll help immensely if you have a good teacher. I was recommended to my teacher by the top flutist in band, so I knew I had the best.

Your music instructor should be teaching you breathing techniques using the diaphram instead of the chest for breathing. It's all a matter of breath control. The flute is one of the most difficult instruments to master because of this.

Playing the flute could maximize your lung capacity.

i have been playing the flute since fifth grade and now im in 9th grade. i remember in 5th grade i got light headed at first. it's normal to get light headed. just keep practicing and you will get used to it. it does improve your lung capacity. hope i helped.and have a nice day.

Yes - it really improves your breathing. You may be light-headed because you have never used your lungs' full capacity.

Healthy yes, think yoga or deep breathing it's relaxing-lots of oxygen to the brain... I play the flute myself and what I was taught when I first began was to put your head between your legs and that will get the blood flowing there.