Hello all…
I’ve been happily playing Recorders (alto mostly) and whistles for several years now. From time to time I’ve really wanted to try a Baroque flute for the chromatic capability, interesting quiet tone and historical accuracy for the Baroque music I like. Every time I seriously consider “taking the plunge”, I get nervous about having wrist problems with flute playing. I now seem to have wrist pain from time to time when playing the alto Recoders for more than about a half an hour.
I was wondering that if one were to learn how to hold a flute with the correct posture, if they are any more likely to cause wrist problems in holding and fingering them than an Alto Recorder?
If they (Flutes) are no worse if held correctly than Recorders then does anyone know of a good tutorial book which explains proper posture. It would be especially helpfull to have a book on Baroque flutes as it’s the Aulos plastic Grenser that I’ve had my eye on lately.
As far as holding the flute with the proper posture/grip, I would think there is no difference and a tutor book for any flute would be helpful. The baroque flute though would have different fingering patterns and possibly different embouchure techniques than other Irish/Boehm flutes.
My main concern though is weather a 50 year old person with somewhat questionable flexibility learn to play Flutes without asking for trouble in the pain department.?
You’d be wise to take a look at Grey Larson’s book for flute and whistle players. He addresses ergonomics and has had pain issues himself over the years.
Even a PM to him via his website may help in investigating your particular problem. http://www.greylarsen.com/store/books.php
I find that the flute is generally a little easier on the hands than the low whistle, which is the equivalent of the alto recorder. I’d think the flute would be much easier on the right wrist than the alto recorder, and I’m not sure if there would be any additional stress on the left wrist. Holding the flute properly both wrists are pretty close to straight.
For holding the baroque flute, I’d recommend J. J. Quantz’s book. Larsen’s book is also good (very detailed), and if you peruse the archives of this board, you’ll also find many options, although many of those aren’t optimal for the baroque flute.
Thanks all for the replies,
Grey Larsen’s book is still available. Reprints of Quantz’s book might be tougher to find? Is that the same Quantz as in Baroque era composer and Flautist?
If so, how neat is that to have written something which is still in use for advise three centuries after it was written!
Any one else out there have experience with both recorders and Flutes to compare the ergonomics on?
Quantz’s book is available online at Google Books. A quick read of chapter two, “Of holding the Flute, and placing the fingers” should help answer some of your questions.
I can only speak of accidently teaching myself to play whistle and then simple flute left-handed and not even knowing this until I was given a silver flute. I started playing whistle in my mid 40’s and flute shortly thereafter. Learning how to play, well actually just hold, a silver flute right handed added an extra year on to that process. My hands and arms kept cramping but that went away. I can play simple flute left and right handed but prefer left handed.
I can’t speak at all about perfect posture. I was laying on couches, floating in swimming pools, and slouching all the while I practiced.