Trying to stand up straight when playing, or telling students to hold their flutes up doesn’t last for very long; people forget and revert to their usual habits. Instead try lining up these six points of balance (see previous blogs) while holding the flute down in front of your body. Now turn the head slightly to the left and bring the flute up with minimal alteration to the body’s position. Now with a long neck and chin tucked in you’ll be in an optimal playing posting, angling the air slightly downwards over the left forearm.