i’m playing the flute form about 3-4 month, and all the time, when i play for more then one hour (so everytimes XD) my thumbs start hurting. i’m not shore, but it might be becouse the upper part of my thumbs (sorry i dont know that word) can go back A LOT, a bit over 45° when i force it… so when i play my flute the upper part of my thumbs go naturally back, and to stop the flute well i have to make them go to their limit… do u think its normal and i have to hold on untill i get used to that or i should change my thumbs potition? and how should i change it?
What sort of position are you using to grip the flute?
The grip you are using may be the problem.
Is it ‘piper’s grip’?
Do you have access to a teacher? Do you have access
to Grey Larsen’s instruction book?
well, mine is not an irish flute, but its an indian keyless bansuri flute in D, so its like an irish flute…
so, the potition… i cover all the holes with the middle part of my finger, but not the G hole, that i cover with the upper part of my finger. i saw people that cover the B hole with the upper part of the finger, but i feel to unconfortable like that…
my right thumb its opposite to the other fingers, under the flute, and the upper part of it its bend (or fold, i dont know the right word) 45°. the left thumb its on the side, and make the flute go to my lips. even that one its bend (or fold) obuot 45°…
I dont know how is “piper’s grip” like. i dont have access to a teacher and neather to grey larsen’s book. i’m learning on the internet…
If holding the flute causes you pain, I would try diffrent ways of holding it. You don’t want to risk damage to your thumb or hands. Is there a way you can use the joint of your thumb to hold the flute…so the tip of your thumb is not bent back?
Actually you are using Piper’s Grip. Try different thumb positions, it may feel like the Flute will slip, but you will get used to it over time. Try to find the least painful one.
“Hey Doc, It hurts when I do this!”
“Well stop doing that then”
Here is a link to the Whistle Shop’s page on the Pipers grip and then Dale’s page.
http://www.thewhistleshop.com/beginners/lowd/lowd.htm
http://www.chiffandfipple.com/pipers.html
Its for low whistle not flute but the concept is similar.
Everyone has different size hands so no one way is the right way. If you hurt its probably wrong.
Keep your thumbs straight out and see where you can hold it best.
Just my humble opinion. I hope that helps some.
Sorry, I’m exhausted.
Will somebody please describe classical grip, three points,
to our friend. Just plain old standard flute grip?
May be the solution as it minimizes thumbs.
Here’s Mr Nicholsons take on the subject. Pillaged From Terry McGee’s site, which has more from the great man that is well worth the reading.
"This is one of the most essential requisites, and of the greatest consequence to the pupil; for unless the flute is held properly, elegance of position, facility of execution, steadiness and freedom of tone will become materially affected.
The position I recommend my pupils to adopt in their practice is to keep the head and body as upright as possible; by which means the chest is rendered more capable of expansion, and the performer is enabled to produce a more full and free tone than would result from a stooping as well as an ungraceful posture.
The position of the flute should be nearly horizontal, being supported by placing the second joint (about an inch above the first hole) against the side of the first finger of the left hand, resting it nearly as high as the knuckles. By this means, that finger will have free action, and the second and third fingers can be more easily brought over the holes, than if the flute were placed lower down on the joint of the finger.
The first and second holes should be covered with the points of the first and second fingers; and the third hole by the third finger, using the broad part immediately under the nail. By which the first and second fingers become properly curved, the little finger will find its place exactly over the G# or Ab key, and the thumb will be over the A# or Bb key.
The thumb of right hand must press against the third joint of the flute, being placed nearly under the fourth and fifth holes, but nearer the fourth. The fingers must be curved, particularly the second. Great care must be taken to avoid the third being straight, for to this fault may be attributed the difficulty experienced by many amateurs in the use of the F natural and lower C keys. The little finger should be over the D# or Eb key.
This being understood, place the mouth-hole of the flute at the centre of the under lip, resting the instrument between that and the chin. With the pressure of the thumb of the right hand acting against the pressure of the first finger of the left, and the flute being placed to the lip, as here described, the instrument will obtain the proper and only support it should depend upon. This will be fully experienced when the pupil is sufficiently advanced to play in the keys of B with five sharps, or A with four flats. (Snip)
[We can thus see that Nicholson favoured what has become inappropriately known as the Rockstro Grip; Nicholson came a long time before Rockstro and Nicholson makes no claim for having invented this approach. It requires that the right thumb be applied more to the side of the flute than the bottom. You will see below that this grip is essential in order to use Nicholson’s embouchure approach.]
As this position of the instrument will be found somewhat difficult, it may in a great measure be relieved by pressing the thumb of the left hand on the second joint of the flute, just above the Bb key. So convinced am I, from long experience, of the necessity of the instrument being held with great firmness, that in order to accomplish it, I have a groove cut out of the second joint (a bout half the thickness of the wood) to receive that part or the finger on which the pressure lies, which brings the hand closer, and at the same time gives additional support to the instrument.
The third joint I have also grooved out on the part where the thumb presses and inserted a piece of seal-skin; which prevents the thumb from slipping and gives great firmness to the right hand. "
The rest is here: http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Nicholson_on_Tone.htm
Relax. To relax, find a position in which the flute is well balanced (see the other posts in this thread), and then use as little strength as possible to actually hold it there. Chances are that you need far less that you thought you would. (This has the added advantage that moving your fingers very fast is a lot easier with a relaxed grip.)
Actively use your brain. Your hands are unique, we can’t tell you over the internet how to use them. So, find out for yourself how many, and which, different hand positions are possible for you. Find out which variables can be changed: angle between hand and arm, arm and flute, fingers and flute, amount of wrist-bending, which parts of your hands touch and which support the flute, bending of the fingers, which part of the finger closes the hole… the list is endless.
Experiment. What else can you change in your posture? Does it feel better or worse? Does it still feel better or worse after 30 minutes of playing? Listen to your body, not to strangers on a message board.
peace,
Sonja
well, actually the advices helped me sonja, even if they cant see me 
thank you everybody, i’ll work out and see which its the best solution
Also, if you’re new - like never played any flute before - you may get some amount of muscle soreness from doing something new. Try practicing for shorter amounts of time several times a day. Also, carefully warm up before and then stretch out your hands after each practice. Like any other activity, it may take a while to “get in shape”.