Every flute player wants to have complete control over their sound and master the ability to make small adjustments and get a big effect. A well-trained flute embouchure is at the core of this mastery, but breath control also plays a vital role. All flute lessons should begin with exercises that strengthen these foundational skills on which to build.

Although “whistle tones” seem like a bit of a parlor trick, students of any skill level can use these to good effect when they learn to play the flute. When I was sitting in the hallway outside the door of my flute teacher at Penn State, I would practice my whistle tones to warm up my embouchure.  

The sound is very hard to control and by practicing them before my flute lessons, I was able to make fine adjustments and gain new muscle memory with these subtle changes.

Every flute player wants to have complete control over their sound and master the ability to make small adjustments and get a big effect. A well-trained flute embouchure is at the core of this mastery, but breath control also plays a vital role. All flute lessons should begin with exercises that strengthen these foundational skills on which to build.

Although “whistle tones” seem like a bit of a parlor trick, students of any skill level can use these to good effect when they learn to play the flute. When I was sitting in the hallway outside the door of my flute teacher at Penn State, I would practice my whistle tones to warm up my embouchure.  

The sound is very hard to control and by practicing them before my flute lessons, I was able to make fine adjustments and gain new muscle memory with these subtle changes.