From Novice to Maestro: The Journey and Benefits of Learning the Flute
Flute as an instrument has a wide-ra impact on the player and the environment where it is being operated. Especially after the emergence of the COVID epidemic, where people are suffering from mental health disorders and respiratory problems, research shows that there has positive progress in health conditions. The flute is considered one of the most diverse instruments in music where just bamboo and cork can produce a diverse range of melodies. Considering the essence of this instrument, this blog shall cover the fundamental aspects of the flute.
Flute as a dynamic instrument
Flute refers to a woodwind instrument that produces sound from the flow of air across its openings. It is generally composed of bamboo or PVC pipes. India calls its version of the flute Basuri which has its historical significance. The earliest dates back over 35000 years ago when it was made up of bird bones and mammoth ivory.
Later bamboo became the fine and most popular raw material to make flutes. In addition, the first known flute was a three-holed instrument fashioned from a mammoth tusk that existed some 35,000 years ago. Excavated from a tomb in Jiahu, in the Central Chinese province of Henan, are bone flutes with five to eight holes each, crafted from the bones of red-crowned crane wings. They were approximately nine thousand years old. Chinese women were proficient flute musicians during the Song Dynasty (12th century). When it comes to flute history, they are the most ancient musical instruments.
Types of flutes
- Concert flute:– It is a kind of flutes used in western concerts and orchestras. It is typically made of silver, nickel, or gold and has a range of about three octaves.
- Alto flute:– It is comparatively larger than concert flute and produces more deeper and mellow sound.
- Piccolo:- It is a smaller version of concert flute and produce a high pitched sound.
- Bass flute:- This flute is even larger than the alto and produces a deep, rich sound. It is often used in flute choirs and contemporary music compositions.
- Ethnic flutes:- Every culture do modify this instrument in their own way. such as the bamboo flutes of Asia, the pan flutes of South America, and the Native American flutes, each offering distinctive sounds and playing techniques.
Health benefits of playing flutes 
- Promotes good posture:- Playing this instrument in a correct melody do require a straight posture to produce the sound. Thus it tend to improve the body posture of individual that enhances the further productivity
- Breathing efficacy:- Playing flutes tend to improve the lung capacity of an individual as it requires frequent breathing. Thus a part of ‘Pranayam’ is also there in this practice making it an efficient tool in having good respiratory health. However, we must care about the environment where we play this instrument . It must be pollution free.
- Promote finger dexterity:- When we need to use the dynamic finger patterns to play the flute, it enhances our finger dexterity. Also the visual and motor ability increases with further practice.
- Mental health:- Frequent breathing fulfils the regions of brain with oxygen which is considered as an immune for mental health conditions. The music produces through it is also a soothing one.
- Improves the patience:- Learning flute is a long lasting activity which sometimes requires years. Thus it teaches us the to enhance our patience that will act as a tool to learn something new.
- Expands Cultural Awareness: The flute is used in various musical traditions around the world. Learning this instrument can introduce students to different cultures and musical styles, fostering a broader appreciation for global music.
Tips to master flute for beginners:
- Start slow:- Beginners must not instantly jump to play the songs. Once must start with the fundamentals and should pursue a slow process.
- Use a metronome:– A metronome is an instrument which helps us to get idea about beats and timings of the notes. Thus it will provide the basic foundation to play the it.
- Start with Alankars:- Playing saptak and alnkars must be the starting line for beginners. First they must master the hand dexterity and correct blowing , then they can move towards ear training.
- Maintain perseverance:- One must practice daily and consistently to master it. Discontinuity in the practice can alter the learning process.
Thus in a nutshell we shall conclude that flute is one of the important instrument with diverse benefits. It will not only enhance the skill but will have the holistic development of the individual.
References
Pexels, https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2309476.pdf
