Deep and sustained breathing is essential to creating perfect tone with a flute. In contrast to other woodwind instruments, such as the clarinet and alto sax, you create flute tones by blowing across a tone hole on the mouthpiece rather than blowing air directly into the mouthpiece. As Cyberflute.com notes, developing flute breathing techniques that produce correct tones requires time, practice and patience. Completing a series of daily breathing exercises is a good way way to train your lungs and develop the breath control necessary to play the flute well.
Open Throat Exercise
Keeping your throat open as you inhale allows you to take in more air and exhale more efficiently. According to Cyberflute.com, you will know your throat is open if you can feel a hollow space at the point where your jaw ends and your ear begins. Place your tongue on the bottom of your mouth, flat against your soft palate. Open your mouth approximately 1 inch and begin inhaling, paying attention to how the air feels against your throat. Get accustomed to keeping your throat open by extending the time you inhale by counting to four, then six, then eight and beyond.
Breath Control Exercise
The strength of your airstream determines whether your tones sound rich, or as Cyberflute.com notes, "puny." Exhaling in short, mild "puffs" results in a poor tone. In contrast a strong, steady stream creates rich tone quality. Cut a piece of paper approximately 2 inches square, hold it against a wall, and keep it there for as long as you can using only your breath.
Belly Breathing Exercise
Developing the ability to inhale enough air to sustain longer notes means you must learn to breathe in and out using your diaphragm. Cyberflute.com recommends creating a mental picture to help you grasp the concept of pushing your stomach out as you inhale. Before starting this exercise, be sure to sit up straight and relax your neck and shoulders to allow for deeper breathing.
Begin inhaling and as you do, think about an object, such as a hula hoop, around your waist. Breathe in as deeply as you can, while at the same time pushing your stomach out to hold the hula hoop in place. Exhale slowly as you count to 30, or play a single tone on your flute as you slowly exhale, holding the note steady for as long as you can. Complete this exercise two or three times per week.
