Flute

Flutes from Different Countries

The flute really is the oldest musical instrument known to humans, except for drums. In this context, it is also an instrument that is globally used and lends itself to different genres of music from different parts of the world. Here, we’ll see a little about flutes from different countries, which are still in use. If you want to get a better idea of the world of flute or learn how to play the flute, check out www.flutelessonssingapore.com.

Western Concert Flute

The most commonly learnt flute nowadays, the western concert flute has a tradition of more than thousand years. Nowadays, flutes are classified on the range of their keys. The flutes are mostly made of metal with silver plating. Nickel and gold plated flutes are also available. Some flutes are also made in wood, though these are no longer very common. For more information on beginner flutes in this genre of music, refer to http://flutelessonssingapore.com/types-of-flutes-beginners-can-use-for-flute-lessons/.

Indian Flutes

India has a long tradition of flutes and even Hindu epics make mention of the instrument. It developed independently of the Western flute and is generally made of bamboo and don’t have keys. There are two main types of flutes in India. The one used in the north is called bansuri and has eight finger holes and one embouchure. The venu is a flute with eight finger holes, used in south India. The bansuri is typically used in Hindustani music and the venu is used in Carnatic music.

Chinese Flutes

There are many types of Chinese flutes. The most used material for making flutes is the bamboo, but there are also flutes made of wood, jade, and iron. Though a number of flutes are in use in China, the most commonly used ones are the dizi and the xiao. Dizi is a bamboo flute with six holes and tightly wrapped threads to prevent cracks. The xiao is made of bamboo is an end-blown flute with eight finger holes and four vent holes.

Japanese Flutes

The Japanese flute is called the shakuhachi and is made of bamboo, ABS or hard woods. It is a very old flute and has survived up to modern times, though with a few variations. It is used to play classical Japanese music, traditional folk music, and zen music. Another flute from Japan is called hotchiku, which is only used for zen music.

Irish Flutes

The Irish flute is a simple system, transverse flute with six holes without keys. It is excellent for playing traditional Irish music because this genre of music doesn’t have much use for keys. The flute is made of wood and has a more reedy tone when compared to the more common western concert flutes.

North American Flutes

Many of the North American tribes have a rich history of traditional music and flutes were a common instrument. North American music is still very popular. The flutes are usually rim-blown and made of wood. Some tribes also use the duct flute, also made of wood. The tunes played are traditional music, not too complex, so doesn’t require many keys.

You can thus see that if you want to learn the flute, you have a number of options available. Of course, you need to find a good teacher and learn to appreciate the different genres of music, but it’s very rewarding once you get the hang of it.

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Benefits for Children Learning the Flute

There are many reasons children or adults want to learn a musical instrument, and many reasons why they might want to learn the flute. The most common reason is that they either know someone who plays it or have developed an interest in flute music, usually introduced through someone who is already into it. However, while the flute is a great instrument for all ages, there are also reasons why it can be beneficial for children to pick up the flute much earlier in life. For more reasons to take flute learning lessons, please check out:http://flutelessonssingapore.com/take-flute-lessons/.

Have fun

No child will stick with something that is simply no fun to them. If flute lessons are made fun, then the children will be learning something useful while at the same time, enjoying themselves. It is a great use of their free time and gives them a direction and purpose in life at a much younger age. For children who are hyperactive, the music can even help them calm down a little, especially once they pass the beginning hurdles. Overall, sending your child off to learn the flute can contribute something joyful and fun to their lives.

Learn to time

For children who take flute lessons early in life, learning how to time their playing can become an invaluable asset. It helps them do better in other fields of life such as studies, sports, and develops their life skills. Children who learn to play the flute find that their emotional and physical health develop and improve over time. The side effect is that this will give them a lifelong appreciation for rhythm, punctuality, and organization.

Improve coordination

Children who start learning the flute show a marked and obvious improvement in body coordination as well as hand and eye coordination. Playing the flute is a multitasking skill since the child has to learn how to play while concentrating on their breathing, while looking at the notes and finger patterns as well. This improves their motor skills, which in turn leads to better coordination, which shows up in all aspects of the child’s life, making them a better all-around in the long run.

Boost  confidence

Playing the flute requires a lot of commitment because it involves a lot of regular practice, and the child needs to know how to take care of their flute properly. This teaches children responsibility and self-discipline. They realize that things are not handed to them on a platter and that they need to work for it. At the same time, the thrill of mastering a tune can lead to an immense sense of achievement for having their hard work rewarded.

Socializing

When a child starts learning the flute, they are only concerned with the fun aspect of it or they might have great dreams of becoming a master player. Both of these are of course achievable, but there are some other advantages as well. One of the inadvertent advantages of sending your children to flute classes is that they develop a social circle with other children who might end up sharing a lifelong passion. This can be a very important aspect for your child’s social growth.

For more information on flute lessons in general, please refer to the site: http://flutelessonssingapore.com/.

Qualities To Look Out For In A Good Flute Teacher

Finding a flute teacher is easy but making sure that they are good and the perfect fit for you can be very difficult. Flute is a very versatile instrument and there must be a number of teachers in any given locality. However, you need to consider a few teachers before settling on one, so that you know a little about how it works. If you want to learn how to play the flute with a good teacher who will help you realise your goals, there are a few things you can do to help the process along, which will be explained below. You can also consult http://flutelessonssingapore.com/ for more information on this subject.

Check out music schools

This is pretty obvious but many people don’t do this because of the mistaken assumption that music schools only give out information on their own schedules and classes. This is not the case, since a lot of people who teach there also teach privately. The people in the music school can help recommending decent teachers to you, irrespective of whether you are a beginner or at an advanced level, or whether you seek a teacher for your child or an adult.

Call the university’s music department

The people working in the music department tend to have knowledge about the teachers teaching in the area. They also know advanced students who are trying to set up their own teaching practice. In fact, since they work with musicians and flute players day in and day out, they have a pretty good idea of the flute culture in your locality and will be able to assist you with names and other details tailored to your requirements.

Flute associations

A great way to get in touch with flute players, teachers and students is to contact the local flute association in your area. Flute associations are basically organisations formed to cater to the needs of flute players and to help interested musicians to network with each other, provide opportunities for learning, teaching and playing the flute, and bring many other benefits to its members. Such an organisation can easily help you by recommending some of the best teachers in the area for you.

Personal recommendations

If you are already networking with flute players and know a few people who are into this, you can ask them for recommendations. The positive thing with personal recommendations is that you can discuss your requirements in detail with your friends and acquaintances and seek their advice. Make sure you explain your own level of learning and your goals to them, that is, hobby, career-oriented, etc.

Google

Failing all the above, the one ubiquitous resource that will never fail you is Google search. Enter a search and you will receive many results. You can also consult different sites like Craiglist, etc. for your needs. There are numerous forums on which you can discuss with fellow music lovers on finding good teachers for flute. You can even check out what other students and flute lovers have to say about any teacher you are considering.

With all the methods described above, you are likely to find a good flute teacher of your choice. You can learn more about how to assess whether a teacher would be good or not in this article: http://flutelessonssingapore.com/makes-good-flute-teacher/.

The Four T’s of An Effective Flute Lessons Teacher

Did you know that the playing flute was invented way before man started farming, domesticating animals, and doing metal works? The flute is an ancient instrument, initially made out of animal bones. But teaching flute students to play this rather fragile and austere-looking instrument has definitely gone a long way. From its humble beginnings, the flute is now a shining work of craftsmanship. It’s enchanting sound could be heard in classical and contemporary recordings, music ensembles, orchestras — captivating the emotions of music lovers through the years.

Learning to play the flute may just be a hobby or a career investment. Either way you ought to find a teacher who is effective in teaching flute lessons. Singapore aspiring flautists are very discerning in finding a flute teacher.

Here are 4 “T” – tips to remember in helping you find an effective flute teacher:

1. TALENT: Playing a musical instrument requires skill and giftedness. A talented teacher can inspire and motivate you. And most likely, he will be able to pass on to you helpful techniques that will enable you to improve and progress as a flute player. Ask him to perform for you during the interview. Or you may ask for links to his website or social media where you can check out videos of his performances.

2. TRAINING: Once you’ve found a talented teacher, find out if he has the ability and the qualification to teach. Talent and teaching are not like two peas in a pod. A great flute player is not automatically an effective teacher. Find someone who has had any considerable teaching experience. Or someone who had a undergone music teaching course. For young students and children, find someone with experience in handling kids. Or if you are already at an advanced level, your teacher should be playing more advanced skills and has reached mastery levels.

3. Learning to play the flute requires regular sessions with your teacher. Ask your prospect the following questions to help you gauge whether he can commit to a firm schedule with you:
   1. Are you teaching part-time or full-time?
   2. How many students do you have so far and how much time do you spend per student?
   3. Do you do shows, onstage performances, concerts?

4. TRANSMITS LOVE FOR MUSIC. A teacher’s love for music should be infectious. He should keep that music fire burning inside of you. Love for playing the flute will motivate you to reach for your goals and help you get through difficult moments.

Bonus “T”:   And yes another ‘T’ is for transportation or travel time. Whether you or the teacher will be travelling to and from the place where sessions will be conducted, travelling may take a toll on either one of them if the place is too far or not easily accessible.

Finding a flute lessons teacher that’s right for you may not be that easy. Apart from all of the above, you also have to consider the teacher’s asking fee vis-a-vis your budget. It is rather impossible to get a perfect teacher. But with careful considerations based on the aforementioned guidelines, you’ll definitely find someone who is fit to a T!

Why are Flute Lessons Appealing?

Flutes are immensely popular and have been so for a very long time. In great demand in the musical circles, flutes are often also chosen by many musical novices as one of their first instruments. There are several reasons why flute classes are so popular among all sections of music lovers. Let us take a look at why flutes are so appealing, sometimes so much more than many other instruments that sound just as good.

Melodious music
There is no denying that flute produces melodious music that is a pleasure to the ears. Even the most music-hating person will not dislike a flute. Simple yet complex at the same time, flutes just sound good. Even beginners can easily make a good sound with the flute, which probably speaks for its popularity. As long as you manage to understand the embouchure and get the knack of blowing, you can immediately learn without spending too much time on theory.

Flexibility
The flute is an instrument that can be used in many different genres of music. Though generally associated in the public mind with classical music, the flute is far more versatile than just that. By taking flute lessons, you can learn to play jazz, classical, pop, baroque, rock, hip hop, avant-garde, etc. It is also an instrument used extensively in Eastern classical music. You can also play solo or in a music ensemble with other flute players or players of different instruments. So it really does not matter what kind of music you want to play because the flute can be adapted to most genres.

Expense
In comparison with many other instruments like drums, saxophones, guitars, etc., flutes are relatively inexpensive. A brand new beginner flute is quite affordable, though you might have to shell out a bit more for a professional flute. If you choose to buy a used flute, it is obviously much cheaper. It is also more likely that you will get used flutes in good condition than any other instrument. Renting flutes for beginners also reduces the overall cost. If you are strapped for cash but still want to learn an instrument, a flute is a great choice.

Health benefits
When you learn to play the flute, you also learn how to breathe properly. Blowing on the instrument on a regular basis will expand your lungs, tone your diaphragm muscles, strengthen your jaws and lead to a much improved respiratory health overall. In addition to the physical benefits, the psychological benefits cannot be overstated. Research has showed that flute players enter a slightly meditative state when they play, which has a direct correlation with their state of mind.

Portability
The flute is probably the lightest of all musical instruments which makes it extremely easy to transport around for playing at different venues. With a flute, you can practise at a moment’s notice because it is that easy to carry around with you. It is not a very complicated instrument and can be easily maintained and cleaned, without taking up too much time, money or effort.

Connection with the past
Flutes are an important aspect of humankind’s musical history. Flutes have been found dated more than 43,000 years ago, and we know that a large number of ancient civilisations used the instrument. Indian, Chinese, Native American, Sumerian, Egyptian and many other notable cultures had flutes. It is one of the instruments that has survived for a long time, and is popular in modern times as well.

Considering all these points, it is no surprise that if you are in Singapore, flute tutorials appeal to a wide audience. It is especially a great instrument for a child or a beginner, but even professionals can enjoy flute music.

Getting Ready For Your Flute Classes

The flute is a very popular instrument choice in a band because a lot of music genre utilizes the flute, and so even a beginner has a lot of opportunities to play either in bands, jazz ensemble, or even on orchestra groups. But before you start on your flute classes, it is important that you pick your very first flute appropriately. There are numerous choices in terms of types, make, and price, and it can be a bit overwhelming. To help you make that choice, we’ve listed several suggestions below.

1. Cheap flutes are bad flutes

Because of the popularity of flute, a lot of places have started carrying them in their shops. Flutes are now being sold even in places not considered as music shops, like supermarkets, malls, and even online. Most of them offer the instrument at surprisingly low prices. What they do not tell you is that the quality of their flute is very poor. They do not even have resident experts or experienced flautist that can give you sound advice on what to buy.

These low-priced flutes usually prove to be tough to play, often producing sounds that are not pleasing. This may wrongfully lead you to think that you cannot produce a decent note out of it, but the real culprit is your low-cost flute.

Get on the right track and go to a respectable music shop, or even better to a dedicated flute shop. You will get your money’s worth, and you’ll even get expert advices.

2. Choose simple

When you walk into a reputable music shop you will learn that there is more to the flute than meets the eye. The specifications and variety of different types of flute may overwhelm you.

As a beginner, go for the basic flute specifications: straight head joint, C foot joint, detachable extensions, plays down to D, weighs around 240-250 grams. Again, decent shops will have resident experts that can guide you with these. These terminologies may seem confusing for you now, but once you are deep into your flute classes you will understand the meaning of these words.

3. The size is right

You should have enough arm length to reach the keys, otherwise you cannot play the notes properly and you will easily tire and get head and neck strain. If for some reason the length of the flute is a problem for you, you should go for the curved head joint, which is a little bit shorter than the standard, but still sound as good.

4. Bring in an expert

Most shops are more concerned about selling to you than actually giving you sound and practical advice on what to buy. They are there to make a profit first and foremost. That is why if you are a beginner and this is your first flute, it is good advice to bring along an advanced flautist who can give you practical and unbiased guidance on what to buy.

Do not rely on your own knowledge, or information you retrieved from the Internet. The actual feel of the instrument is very important, and the expert can tell you if it feels right. More importantly, they can test it out for you.

Hopefully, these pointers will enable you in your decision on what flute to buy for your flute classes. Singapore will be able you a fine plethora of classes to choose from. And with a good choice and good use, you can expect many years of delight and satisfaction with your flute.

Getting Ready For Your Flute Classes

The flute is a very popular instrument choice in a band because a lot of music genre utilizes the flute, and so even a beginner has a lot of opportunities to play either in bands, jazz ensemble, or even on orchestra groups. But before you start on your flute classes, it is important that you pick your very first flute appropriately. There are numerous choices in terms of types, make, and price, and it can be a bit overwhelming. To help you make that choice, we’ve listed several suggestions below.

1. Cheap flutes are bad flutes

Because of the popularity of flute, a lot of places have started carrying them in their shops. Flutes are now being sold even in places not considered as music shops, like supermarkets, malls, and even online. Most of them offer the instrument at surprisingly low prices. What they do not tell you is that the quality of their flute is very poor. They do not even have resident experts or experienced flautist that can give you sound advice on what to buy.

These low-priced flutes usually prove to be tough to play, often producing sounds that are not pleasing. This may wrongfully lead you to think that you cannot produce a decent note out of it, but the real culprit is your low-cost flute.

Get on the right track and go to a respectable music shop, or even better to a dedicated flute shop. You will get your money’s worth, and you’ll even get expert advices.

2. Choose simple

When you walk into a reputable music shop you will learn that there is more to the flute than meets the eye. The specifications and variety of different types of flute may overwhelm you.

As a beginner, go for the basic flute specifications: straight head joint, C foot joint, detachable extensions, plays down to D, weighs around 240-250 grams. Again, decent shops will have resident experts that can guide you with these. These terminologies may seem confusing for you now, but once you are deep into your flute classes you will understand the meaning of these words.

3. The size is right

You should have enough arm length to reach the keys, otherwise you cannot play the notes properly and you will easily tire and get head and neck strain. If for some reason the length of the flute is a problem for you, you should go for the curved head joint, which is a little bit shorter than the standard, but still sound as good.

4. Bring in an expert

Most shops are more concerned about selling to you than actually giving you sound and practical advice on what to buy. They are there to make a profit first and foremost. That is why if you are a beginner and this is your first flute, it is good advice to bring along an advanced flautist who can give you practical and unbiased guidance on what to buy.

Do not rely on your own knowledge, or information you retrieved from the Internet. The actual feel of the instrument is very important, and the expert can tell you if it feels right. More importantly, they can test it out for you.

Hopefully, these pointers will enable you in your decision on what flute to buy for your flute classes. Singapore will be able you a fine plethora of classes to choose from. And with a good choice and good use, you can expect many years of delight and satisfaction with your flute.

Basic Flute Lessons for Beginners

The flute is a beautiful and melodious instrument that also happens to be one of the oldest musical instruments in the world, since humans harnessed wind to create music which gradually developed into a major art form. The versatility and simplicity of the instrument make it a great favourite with music lovers. You can play the instrument with a band, an orchestra, with singing accompaniment as well as all on its own. Let us see what kind of basics you will have to learn while taking flute classes for the first time.

Holding the flute

How you hold your flute depends on the type of flute you have chosen to rent or buy. There are basically two main types of flutes – those with holes at the end of the flute, known as end blown, and those with holes at the sides, known as side blown. Your fingers will play a major role in playing the flute, so learning how to hold the instrument properly is of the greatest importance. Expect to spend a couple of lessons in learning how to do it in a way that is both comfortable and technically sound.

Producing sound

While it looks easy to blow on a flute and produce sounds, it actually is not. You cannot just blow anywhere and expect to make a sound. The right way to do it is to raise the flute in front of your lips and blow into the blowing hole, covering only about 1/5^th of the hole during the attempt. You will have to vary your blowing intensities until you get it right. Don’t puff up your cheeks when you blow. You need to sustain the playing for a while, so the air must come from the diaphragm directly. This technique can be picked up quickly, but it is essential to get it right before moving on to learn how to actually produce music.

Fingering

The flute produces music when you learn how to blow on it and finger the holes properly. This is one of the basic techniques you will learn in your flute lessons. Without learning this, you simply cannot proceed with learning to play the flute. It is advisable to use fingering charts during your flute tutorials so that you avoid making mistakes in your finger placements. It might take some effort to learn how to read the chart first, but it drastically improves your performance and will enable you to learn far quicker than otherwise. Covering and releasing the different holes in the flute at the right time and synchronizing it with your blowing will take quite some time to master, but it will produce results.

Posture

Posture is very important while learning the flute. It is important that you maintain the correct posture because it will help you to produce more consistent sounds, and also improves your air capacity. You can sit or stand according to your convenience. The important thing is that your breathing is not affected and you are able to sustain the position over a long period. Your posture must also be developed properly in order to ensure that you don’t develop aches in your muscles and joints after practice.

Flute teachers generally recommend that you use flutes classified as beginner flutes for best effect when you start learning. Over time, you can graduate to a more professional flute! If you are considering flute lessons, Singapore has a large number of opportunities for learning, teaching and playing the instrument, making it a good choice for most people.

Types of Flutes Beginners Can Use For Flute Lessons

When it comes to buying a flute, there are so many choices that it boggles the mind. It is far easier for advanced learners to know exactly what they are seeking in a flute, but for a beginner, things become rather difficult. If you are planning to begin flute lessons, here are some basic points you might want to consider before going ahead and buying a flute.

There are two main types of flutes – side blown and end blown. The former is held horizontally and you blow into it from an opening on the side. The end blown flute is played by blowing at the end of the pipe. The flutes can be open at one end or at both ends. The flutes are made of different materials including metals such as silver, gold, nickel, copper and platinum in different proportions, each producing different sounds. There are also flutes made of bamboo and wood. Your own preference as well as the kind of music you want to learn will play a large role in making a decision on the type of flute you purchase or the materials of which they are made.

Depending on the kind of flute you want to play, you should consider the following points before buying one for a beginner taking flute tutorials.

Beginner’s flutes can be useful: There are flutes that are specifically designated as beginner flutes, meant for people who have just begun to learn. These flutes make air flow easier and sounds are produced without too much effort. It is specifically designed for beginners since they don’t have any practice. The flute also needs to be easy to hold and to use. It’s best if you can rent or buy a beginner’s flute so that you will learn the basics easily before switching to a professional flute.

Buy branded: Buying a branded flute is a good investment, even if you are just a beginner. While non-branded flutes might be of good quality, it is something of which one cannot be sure. Brands have built up their reputations by consistently selling good quality flutes. Besides, flutes from renowned brands are easier to replace or repair in case they get damaged. Some good brands are Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, and Selmer.

Rent or buy: This is definitely a question you need to ask yourself. Flutes can be expensive and if you don’t think you are convinced that you will stick with your new passion, you might do well to rent. On the other hand, with your very own flute, you will assured of good quality and long lasting durability. It’s also nicer to work on a single instrument. Whatever you choose, pay some attention to this decision.

Ultimately, what really matters is that you should be comfortable with your flute. You should be able to play on it and produce good sounds. It might not be as professional, but that’s not really a problem with a beginner who is just starting with flute classes. Your beginner flute must help you develop a decent posture and pave the way for a musical future by enabling you to learn the basics. Once you learn how to play the flute, you can always switch to a more professional flute.

A Teacher’s Guide In Giving Effective Flute Lessons For Beginners

Flute players who have reached a certain level of mastery in flute playing may choose to pursue a career in teaching. Or a flautist could have additional income as a teacher giving flute lessons to beginner students.

If you intend to pursue this, whether as a career path or as a supplemental income stream, you should be prepared. It is not enough that you ‘just know how to play the flute’.  You have to equip yourself with tools and resources, as well as the right attitude for teaching.

Here are some pointers on how to get started:

1. Wear a ‘student hat’.  You were once a student taking flute lessons , right?  You’ve been there, done that.  You felt the growing pains of a beginner struggling to make the flute sound right.  You once were awkward and slow in finger placements.  Your students would also go through those experiences.  Exercise patience and understanding.  Share with them pointers on how you overcame those stages.  Apply methods that your former teacher used to help you progress with your skills.

2. Show and tell.  Students learning by doing.  As a teacher, you’ve got to show them how and the right way to do it.   Demonstrate the correct lip position in blowing air into the mouthpiece.  Be ‘hands-on’ in doing correct finger positions.  Let them hear how a note should sound.   This is more effective than lectures or by reading instructions from a manual. Your students could achieve results in a shorter span of time.

3. Parents’ involvement.  Students would be spending a great amount of time practicing, and they usually do this at home.  A child may not have any music stimulation at home.  If parents are not musically inclined,  the child could not get the level of support needed when they are left on their own.  Hold frequent chats with your student’s parents.  Let them know his/her progress and areas of difficulties.  Give them pointers on how they can encourage their child to practice regularly at home.  Share books and video materials about children who are learning to play musical instruments.  Allow them to sit-in in one of your lessons so they can get insights on some teaching and motivation methods.

4. Invest in sheet music.  Expand your music books library.  Your students will have various tastes in music.  Of course, the ‘classics’ are often the basic foundation of learning. However, students are more enthusiastic to play when they like the kind of music that they play.  Read-up and keep abreast on new teaching and playing methods. Supplement your lessons by showing video clips of tutorials, concert and performance footage.

5. Share your flute music collection or playlist.  Suggest playlists and share cds or music files that your students can listen to.  If you’re ‘friends’ with your students in their social media sites,  post songs or videos and engage them into a discussion about it.  This only not serves to expose and inspire them to flute music.  It opens up communication lines and forges a healthy student-teacher relationship.

Flute lessons should not feel like that ‘it’s-all-in-a-day’s-work’. Make it more fun and engaging.  Foster a learning environment that is interesting and inspiring.  Radiate love for teaching and playing the flute.  Your students would definitely follow suit.

Read This If You Are A New Flute Teacher

The saying that you can be an engineer via YouTube is not really that far-fetched anymore. There is now a lot of content available online for free that practically everything you need to know, you can download, or watch and learn online. The same applies to the music industry, particularly on instrument lessons, where players are posting tips and tricks faster thank you can download them. If you are a beginning flute teacher, you have to have an advantage over these online contents to succeed in your chosen path.

There are several ways to stay ahead, and in here we provide you a few pointers that can really help you survive despite of these free online contents.

• Never stop learning

Keep your materials fresh and your flute lessons updated by going for continuous lessons yourself. You can even take advantage of these free online stuffs and learn from them, and mix it in with your own knowledge.

New and better knowledge in any field is always out there, and you cannot and should not teach what you do not know. If you remain stagnant, you will do a disservice to your students, and maybe even teach them bad habits instead.

• Equip yourself with lots of materials

Invest on audio CDs, video DVDs, books, and lots and lots of music sheets. You never know what you are going to need, or what your students will ask from you. Sure, you might have read one great flute instructional book, or watched an excellent video tutorial by a flute expert, but do not stop there. Include in your collection materials about teaching methods, because there are always newer and better techniques.

You do not have to build your knowledge library in one go. Slowly and carefully make these acquisitions, and before you know it, you have more materials than your students can get their hands on. If budget is tight, your local library be able to help with free materials.

• Charge small for now

Do not think about charging the right fee for now. Remember, you competition is FREE content online. Start small, maybe $10 – $15 per hour for now. The small fee is a great incentive for new flute students, and once they enroll under your tutelage, the income from them will be steady and sure.

When you already have a year or two of teaching experience, or if you have earned your Bachelor’s degree in music, or have acquired a teaching certification, then maybe you can start to think of increasing your fee.

• Engage the parents

No matter how good your materials are, or how efficient your teaching methods are, if your student does not practice the flute at home, the progress will be disappointing. This is where you should involve the parents. Give them the responsibility of monitoring and encouraging their children to repeat at home whatever they learned from you for the day.

An effective way to engage them is to have them sit in during your lessons. Have them see the enthusiasm of their children when you are teaching them, so they will know how to excite them to practice. Allow them also to borrow materials from you, whether it be books, DVDs, etc, to use at home.

The actual and personal interaction of flute teachers with their students is what sets them apart from free content on the Internet. Take these pointers with you and watch your flute students succeed!

Advantages of Home Flute Lessons

If you have been learning the flute for a long time already, you might want to prepare for grading. While group lessons are fine for children or for beginners seeking to build a network, those who approach their playing more seriously would find private one-on-one flute classes more useful, especially if you are preparing for a certification or an exam.

Personalised attention

A private teacher will be able to give you personalised attention, which means working on a class schedule that goes into detail and focuses on your strengths and weaknesses. During group lessons, it is possible that the teacher might not realise if you have not mastered some aspect of playing. Unless you are completely incompetent with some piece, they generally tend to move on with the next thing on the agenda. With one-on-one lessons, the teacher will be able to point out all your problems and work on them until you get it perfect. This is essential to improve your skills and prepare for exams.

Focus is on the student

Group lessons concentrate on all the students and keep an average pace. In private tuition, you can be assured that the lessons will progress at your own pace. The teacher will also be able to pinpoint your weaknesses give you sufficient time in order to improve the areas in which you are weak. If you are playing at an advanced level, this is important because an experienced teacher will be able to guide you on your career choices, based on your flute playing style, which might not always be possible in a group setting.

Discipline

While group lessons can be motivating and it is fun to play with others, solo lessons will ensure that you don’t shirk your responsibilities as far as your flute lessons are concerned. You might get away with not preparing a piece for your group lessons and hide behind the music of the other students, but that is simply not an option with solo lessons. You will have to practice and do your best, putting the onus on you to progress.

Flexibility

If you opt for solo lessons, you can discuss with your teacher about the schedule and fix something suitable. Group lessons will always be fixed on the demands of the majority, and you might not always find the timing suitable. If your work takes you away from home on a regular basis, you can plan out a schedule with your teacher around your trips, so that your progress is not affected. In addition, you can also consider online flute tutorials, conducted through applications such as Skype. While preparing for grading, this is very useful since it is important not to lose touch with your playing.

Combination of group and solo lessons

Even if you are already taking group lessons in order to further your networking in the music world or to gain access to certain openings, taking solo lessons as well can only enhance your learning experience. Even the best student can only improve with one-on-one private lessons with a dedicated teacher as it helps in smoothing out your rough patches.

Different people prefer different ways of learning and what suits someone else best might not suit you at all. Evaluate your needs, your options and consider your goals, then make a decision whether or not to opt for private solo flute teachers.