The moment of your performance or audition has finally arrived.
Your heart might be racing, your palms may be a bit sweaty—but no need to panic.
There are many things you can do as a flutist before you even begin playing to set the groundwork for success. With a few simple habits, you can ground yourself in a world of confidence. Here’s a streamlined checklist to help you settle in and focus on what really matters: making music.
Stand, Stand, Stand!
Standing is often better for flutists as it allows for better breath support and more freedom of movement, especially for solo performances. I highly recommend standing while playing rather than sitting! When you arrive at your place of performance, ensure that your music stand holding your music is at an appropriate height. A stand too low makes you roll your shoulders inward and collapse your posture. Not great for tone—or your back. On the other hand, a music stand too high strains not just your eyes but also your neck—far from ideal. Aim for a stand height where your eyes naturally meet the page while your head remains relaxed. It may be a small detail, but it can have a big difference on your playing. If you’ve memorized your music, that’s even better!
Feet First!
Your feet are your foundation, so do not shuffle into performance with them glued together. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, knees relaxed, and your weight balanced—not locked or rigid. Don’t plant your feet like you’re bracing for a storm! Think steady but malleable, grounded but ready to move with the music. Center your weight and ensure that your body is not tense but instead responsive. This simple stance supports better air flow, posture, and most importantly, confidence.
Get Ready!
This step is often forgotten in the nerves of performance, but it is a powerful cue. If you are able to, play a ready note—a pitch you use to center your embouchure, your air, and your focus. Oftentimes this is the first note of the passage you are just about to perform. It is especially helpful after long periods of rest or when your flute is noticeably cold. In fact, in cold environments or seasons, blowing warm air through your flute at regular intervals can ensure that your tuning remains accurate. The ready note serves to not only help remediate this issue, but also reconnects you with your instrument and reminds your body how it feels to produce a resonant, controlled sound.
Take a breath—you’ve got this. Preparing for a performance is not just about the scales and passages you practice weeks in advance; it is also about the setup you build in the heat of the moment. It’s about the supportive space you create so your technique can shine.
Ready to start? Contact us to set up your first lesson today!
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Hi, I’m Devon! I play the flute and enjoy writing music in my free time.