How vocal training can help flute players improve their sound and vocal health
In flute playing, we tend to focus on things that we can easily see and feel like the lips, tongue and fingers, but what happens in the larynx and the vocal tract is also very important for both your sound and vocal health.
From his unique perspective as a trained flute player, opera singer, voice teacher and certified Estill Master Trainer, Stefan Holmström has developed an approach that makes vocal training accessible and relevant to flute players.
Stefan said: "It's not immediately obvious, but flute players are actually heavy voice users. They can benefit hugely from more vocal awareness and targeted voice training."
Inspired by Estill Voice Training, a scientific, evidence-based system for vocal development, flute players can use isolated, conscious control of structures like the true vocal folds, false vocal folds, tongue, velum and larynx height to progress faster and play with more consistency.
Stefan said: "I often hear flute players say they should take some singing lessons, and that can of course be a great thing. But there are physiological differences between flute playing and singing that need to be considered. I think it's more effective to work directly with structures that are especially helpful for flute."
See, hear and feel your voice - and your flute playing - in a new way
Join Stefan for Vocal Training for Flute, an inspirational, practical three part course that will help you gain an understanding of how your voice works and begin to train specific parts of your voice that are especially beneficial for flute playing.
The course begins on Thursday 13th June 2024.
Watch Introduction to Vocal Training for Flute
Stefan was delighted to have been selected to take part in the National Flute Association's Spring 2024 Online Event Series. You can watch the recording below.
Stefan Holmström is a professional opera singer and voice teacher who works with a diverse range of clients from speakers and singers to flute players. He offers online and in-person vocal coaching and workshops from his studio in central Brighton in the UK. As an Estill Master Trainer (EMT), Stefan uses Estill Voice Training (EVT) as a baseline for safe and sustainable voice use.
