About breathing and greater blowing capacity

As with all wind instruments, producing a beautiful sound on the flute depends greatly on your breathing technique. Good breathing involves two key elements: lung capacity (the amount of air you can take in) and control over air emission (how you release that air when playing).

Developing lung capacity means being able to inhale more air, while control involves knowing how to direct, dose, and regulate the volume, speed, and pressure of the airflow. In the early stages of flute study, it’s common for beginners to feel dizzy—this happens because they’re not yet used to inhaling deeply. Over time, with regular practice, your lung capacity will increase and this sensation will disappear.

To help with this development, here are some simple breathing exercises. But first, let’s quickly review two essential terms:

Inhalation (Inspiration): The act of drawing air into the lungs.
Exhalation (Expiration): The act of releasing air from the lungs.

To play the flute well, both inhaling and exhaling must be done with awareness and control.

Simple Breathing Exercises

Exercise 2 – Fast and Forced Inhalation

Steps:

• • • Stand upright: Keep your posture straight and relaxed.
      
      

    • Inhale quickly and forcefully: Take in as much air as possible in a short time, expanding your chest forcefully.
      
      

    • Place a hand on your ribs: Again, observe and feel the movement of your rib cage.
      
      

    • Exhale forcefully: Expel the air in a steady, quick motion, letting your body relax afterward.