Children Children's Flute Lessons: Facts & Ideas facts and ideas

• The flute is a woodwind instrument but produces its sound from the flow of air against an edge rather than through a reed.
• Someone who plays a flute is called a flautist or flutist.
• Early flutes were made from animal bones. Some examples of flutes found are thought to be from prehistoric times. The modern flute was created by Theobald Boehm in the mid-1800s.
• Some flutes are played vertically, for example, panpipes. Other flutes are held horizontally e.g. the modern flute used in an orchestra. These are known as ‘transverse flutes’.
• Beginners’ flutes are usually made from nickel, silver or silver-plated brass. Professionals use solid silver, gold or even platinum flutes!
• Flutes made from different materials produce different tones - wooden flutes produce a dark sound, silver flutes produce a bright sound- and the thickness of the material also changes the nature of the sound made.
• The flute creates one of the highest sounds in the orchestra but the piccolo (half-size flute) plays an octave higher.
• The largest playable flute is 3.25 m (10.66 ft.) long and 5 cm (1.97 in) in diameter and was verified in Fushun city in China, on July 14, 2009. It has to be played by 3 people but it does play music just like flutes in the more traditional size.
• The largest flute ensemble was achieved by 3,742 participants in Hirosaki in Japan, on July 31, 2011.  

If you are considering finding flute lessons for your child what should you be thinking about?

• Does your child want to play the flute ‘just for fun’ or would they like to take exams? Can the teacher accommodate either of these?
• Do you have to buy a flute for your child straight away or are instruments available to borrow short term until you and your child are sure they want to continue with lessons?
• Do you need to buy music books or are these included in the price of the lessons? Do these need to be purchased in advance?
• Do you have to commit to booking a term of lessons or can you pay half-termly?

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) – an internationally recognised education body based in London that provides examinations in music.

Trinity Guildhall-Trinity College London. 

LCM Examinations –a department of the London College of Music within the University of West London.

The National College of Music - specialises in external examinations in music and speech subjects in centres throughout the UK and in some countries overseas. 

Qualifications/grades - children

Graded music examinations; Grades 1–8, practical and theory - the international standard.

Qualifications of tutors/coach

There is no minimum qualification required to teach music at home. However, passing grade 8 practical and at least grade 5 theory will indicate an acceptable level of competence regarding playing ability and musical knowledge. A Music Degree would be advantageous.

• Fine motor skills
• Rhythm
• Focus
• Concentration
• Memory
• Discipline
• Relaxing
• Calming

Playing the flute is relaxing, improves co-ordination, concentration and self-discipline.

There are many chances to play the flute in groups. Every orchestra has a woodwind section and practising with other children is more fun and helps to improve a child’s social skills and confidence.

King Henry VIII (1491-1547) owned and played many, many instruments including 78 flutes, 76 recorders, 10 trombones, 14 trumpets and 5 bagpipes!

Hollywood legend Tony Curtis (1925-2010) played a rosewood and gold alto flute which was a birthday gift from Frank Sinatra.
 

North Korea Little Children Flute Solo - This little boy is only 5 years old! Amazing.

Mozart Flute Concerto in D Rondo - This boy is 10 years old. When this video was made he had been playing for 5 years. Very talented but does practice for 4 hours a day!

Dinicu Hora Staccato - Jonathan was 10 years old when he made this video – playing Dinicu Hora Staccato, with style.

And if you want to see real talent…. Look no further than Rachel Flowers performing Ambidextranata, a piece for flute and piano, one player!!

Or – the master – Sir James Galway. This performance was in Japan in 1998. ''Danny Boy'' was the encore.

Music and The Brain.  A very interesting article discussing lots of studies that link music to increases in brain function, etc.