The flute is the oldest instrument that’s still widely used today. Records show that it’s been used by our ancestors from around 43,000 years ago – and this reveals how much our ancestors also loved to entertain themselves with music. 

The question that is often asked is this: how to decide if flute is the right instrument for you? 

In this article, I’ll discuss the determinative factors that will help you in ultimately making your decision. I’ve also added a list of advantages that you’ll enjoy when you’re playing the flute.  

How to Decide if Flute is the Right Instrument For You?

Factors to Consider

I completely understand the dilemma that budding musicians feel when they’re planning to start taking lessons. Whether it’s the flute or any other musical instrument, you always want to make sure that you’re investing your resources into the perfect instrument. 

After all, you’ll end up buying an instrument, paying for lessons, and spending hours of practice time – so you might as well spend it on something you know you’ll love. 

To help you in making that decision, here are some of the factors that you have to consider to know if flute is right instrument for you. 

Interest

When it comes to playing any musical instrument, the very first thing that you have to consider is how interested you are in playing it. 

This interest or passion may stem from different reasons. Maybe you want to learn more about this age-old instrument and imagine the kind of music that captivated our forefathers. Or perhaps you simply love the sound of the playful tones produced by the flute.

In some instances, it may not be the flute itself that caught your interest – but the flute may be a part of something that interests you. For example, maybe you dream of performing in an orchestra someday or just join an Irish traditional music session, but all the other instruments seem too intimidating. 

Some professional flutists even recall that they simply wanted to join their school’s band when they were young, and the flute seemed like the easiest instrument to learn to play. 

This goes to show that your interest in the flute may stem from another dream of yours. Use that dream to ignite the flame of passion for playing the flute – and once you develop this passion, there’s no turning back. 

Discipline

Another quality you must have is discipline. Although learning to play the flute only requires around 30 to 45 minutes of your time per day, being able to strictly follow your schedule requires discipline. 

The flute isn’t as demanding as other instruments, so you may have to fight the urge to procrastinate with your lessons. You must be able to have a decent amount of self-discipline to keep you focused on your goal.

But on the bright side, this might be your opportunity to develop your self-discipline

Center Stage

If you love being under the spotlight, then there’s no doubt that the flute is the right instrument for you. 

The flute is one of the most resonant instruments out there. Because of this musical quality, it often takes the center stage – right in front of clarinets and horns. And because it requires flutists to stand straight while playing it, they’re bound to stand out in a sea of violins and violas. 

For this reason, most band or orchestra managers prefer people who love the spotlight on them. These are the people who can play the flute comfortably even with the immense pressure bestowed on them. 

But this doesn’t mean that only extroverts make the best flutists. Bear in mind that the flute is an instrument that you can play from wherever because of its compact size. With that said, anyone can play the flute to help them relax and unwind after an exhausting day – and not just in front of a crowd. 

But in any case, being able to play the flute can improve your self-confidence, and this helps you to take the center stage in all aspects of your life. 

Advantages

Fortunately, the flute is one of the simplest instruments that you can learn to play. This makes it a great beginner instrument for young kids who have shown an inclination for music. 

To keep you interested in the flute, here are some of the advantages that you might want to consider. 

Health

First of all, the flute helps you improve your health. Bear in mind that the flute is played by breathing air into its opening. Because of this, flutists are inclined to develop proper breathing techniques that ultimately strengthen the lungs. And not to mention, this also strengthens your core muscles by giving your diaphragm a nice workout. 

Additionally, playing the flute requires you to stand up straight. This helps you keep your back straight while making sure that your eyes, hand, and mouth are working with each other harmoniously. As a result, you’re not only improving your posture – you’re also improving your body coordination. 

Portability

Another thing I love about the flute is how portable it is. Being a relatively small musical instrument, flute bags and cases are also on the petite side, and can even fit inside bigger backpacks and travel bags. This means that you can take it with you anywhere without having to pay extra seats or storage fees. 

Budget

And finally, flutes are more affordable than other musical instruments. 

Although flutes used by professionals can go as high as 5,000 euros, beginners can start practicing on decent flutes that only cost around 100 euros. As you gain mastery of this instrument, you can upgrade to more expensive flutes. 

Conclusion

The flute is an inexpensive instrument that’s easy to learn. With its unassuming exterior, it’s understandable that a lot of people are drawn to learning how to play this instrument. But the real question is this: is the flute the right instrument for you?

Fortunately, the flute does not require a lot from its players. First of all, it requires you to have an interest or passion for learning how to play the flute. Second, you must have the discipline to motivate yourself to keep practicing. And finally, you must love being in the spotlight. 

These factors guarantee that you’ll truly enjoy playing this simple instrument. If you have all these, then there is no doubt that the flute is the right instrument for you.