Dear Ingrid, I have been learning the flute for a bit more than a year and am finding it more difficult than I perhaps expected. I’m quite a good pianist so have no problems reading music, but controlling my breath is a real nightmare! So I need all the help I can get!

I have heard talk about something called ‘throat tuning’ and am not sure what it is exactly or how it might be useful to my playing. I am an adult student and wonder is this something I should be aware of? ...yes, ‘throat tuning’ is definitely something of which you should be aware as a player since working with this concept is very helpful in developing richness and resonance in your flute tone.

I have a new flute which is a silver model. Can you give me any tips on the best way to clean it? ... Thank you for your question, Heather. It is easy to take for granted that we all know just what to do, or not to do, in the care of our flutes – so perhaps this is a good time for a reminder. First of all, keeping the inside of the flute dry after playing is essential. Moisture collected inside the tube can damage the keypads, and it is not so healthy either!