Inspired by Lizzo’s Flute Solo in “About Damn Time”? Here’s How to Learn to Play the Flute Yourself

Lizzo, a famous contemporary singer and performer, is also one of the most prominent flute players of our time. She made the news when she played a 200-year-old crystal flute on stage in Washington, DC’s Capital One Arena, but that’s not the only time she’s made waves with her flute playing. 

In this performance, she was loaned the crystal flute, which was once owned by former president Madison, who at the time of his inauguration had been a slave owner. It’s only right, then, that she continued her performance in typical Lizzo fashion, twerking on stage and bringing this instrument back into the modern era. 

Flute music frequently makes it into Lizzo’s music, so if you’ve heard the flute solo in “About Damn Time” and were generally inspired by Lizzo’s flute-playing prowess and wanted to try it out for yourself, these tips will help you out:  

What You’ll Need to Get Started 

To get started, you’ll need a flute that’s within your budget. You’ll also want to get flute sheet music. When picking songs, try to choose something you enjoy, since you know how it’s supposed to sound. You can even choose a Lizzo song! 

Optional but recommended accessories that you’ll want include: 

– A tuner to help you match pitch accurately

– Mutes to help you practice quietly if in a shared space

– Cork grease to help prevent leaks and keep your flute working smoothly

– Cleaning supplies to keep your instrument sanitary

How to Play the Flute

Flutes are known as aerophones, which means it isn’t just about the buttons that you press, but also the way in which you breathe into the instrument. That’s why you need more than just a flute to get started; you also need to learn: 

• The Correct Posture and Embouchure 

Curl in, and your breath is shortened; stretch out, and it’s weak. That’s why it’s so important to maintain correct posture. To do this, stand or sit up straight, while keeping your shoulders relaxed. When you hold the flute, it should be held almost parallel to the floor. 

As for the embouchure, which is the position of the lips and jaw, you’ll want to create a small oval with your lips. When you come in contact with the flute, you want it to be firm, but you also don’t want to be gripping it with your lips. Instead, think of your lower lip as a gentle cushion for it to rest on. 

• Learning to Breathe 

Learning to control your breathing is a very important element of playing the flute. If you can already hold your breath for a minute or more, you’re on the right track. To start, you’ll want to work on breathing from your diaphragm. To play the flute, you need to maintain consistent air pressure, so control is essential. 

• Finger placement 

Keywork is next. Every one of your fingers has its own hole, officially known as a key. You will want to work on building up your finger strength and dexterity in order to hit the notes at the right tempo, but this can be done slowly by starting with simple songs and working your way up. 

• Practicing Pitch 

How you breathe, how you press your lips, and how you press the keys all change the tone and pitch of your instrument. Using a tuner, or ideally working with a teacher, will help you learn how to adapt your pitch, tone and intonation in all conditions.