Playing Flute?

Question:I play the flute. I was assigned the instrument for band class and I cant change it. I first had trouble with making a sound on the flute but now I can do that. My problem is that I cannot remember the fingerings for all of the notes (E G B D F, F A C E, and the flats) It takes me a while to figure out where I put my fingers and when the class is playing together. (We are practicing to play AT OUR GRADUATION) Its always me getting in trouble for hitting the wrong notes. I hate when this happens because the teacher makes the whole class start over and over until we get it right. The other kids get aggravated so I asked the teacher to take my flute home to practice. What are the fingerings for the notes (be very specific which buttons because im confused on some whether you put your pinky down or not) and how can I master them?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I play the flute. I was assigned the instrument for band class and I cant change it. I first had trouble with making a sound on the flute but now I can do that. My problem is that I cannot remember the fingerings for all of the notes (E G B D F, F A C E, and the flats) It takes me a while to figure out where I put my fingers and when the class is playing together. (We are practicing to play AT OUR GRADUATION) Its always me getting in trouble for hitting the wrong notes. I hate when this happens because the teacher makes the whole class start over and over until we get it right. The other kids get aggravated so I asked the teacher to take my flute home to practice. What are the fingerings for the notes (be very specific which buttons because im confused on some whether you put your pinky down or not) and how can I master them?

Learning this way works for some people and not for others. Your mileage may vary but give it a try.

If you put down all of your fingers (including the the right pinky on the bottom two rollers - you will be playing a low C. Note, this is a hard note to play for most flutists. Left thumb is covered through this all.

If you lift your pinky, D
lift the next finger, E (support the flute with the pinky on the little key and keep it there for next notes through C)
lift the next finger, F
lift the next finger, G (at this point you're only using your left hand and your right pinky)
left the next finger, A
lift the next finger, B (now we only have 1 left finger and the right pinky)
lift off that B and you have a C

Going up the flute one finger at a time is CDEFGABC (C major scale) ?

What we're doing here is the mathematical/science approach to the instrument. What's happening is that as the instrument gets shorter (by letting air out of holes closer to your mouth) the sound gets higher.

Every woodwind instrument works this way and so people who have a math/science brain with the music tend to pick up learning a lot of instruments easily. If this is confusing to you then this method won't work but if it is clear to you this way then tell me and I'll share some more math/science flute playing with you. The flats and sharps get a touch complicated but not impossible. But this only works well if you just said "OH! that makes so much sense, now I understand" if you're saying "huh???" then the fingering chart method is the way to go.

Either way is "right" just that different people learn things different ways.

You need a fingerine chart--many are available online. Check the link below. Print if off for reference!

You havn't been practicing at home!? WHY WOULD THEY DO SUCH A CRUEL THING!

Practice an hour every night. Its as simple as that. If you don't have a fingering chart buy "essential elements" for flute. Its a good book for beginners and intermediates. [Also good sight reading] or google it.

Fingerings are just the basics. If you want to be a good flute player you'll have to practice...alot...yea...emphasize the word ALOT

Ok! Well the basic fingerings go from all fingers down (D) to no fingers (C sharp) The best thing to do is get a fingering chart and try and memorise/ try them without the Flute. Try using a ruler or other long thing! That way your muscles can get used to the fingerings wihout the flute! Or try and borrow the flute for a weekend. The fingering chart i use with my students is http://www.fluteinfo.com/Fingering_chart...
OR use http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/flute/

Good Luck with your playing