Correct playing position and posture are essential for any player, and a skill that must be learned from the start. It is all the more important for younger players, where muscles and bones are still developing.

A standard flute measures 66 cm and is played horizontally to the right of the body. The left hand keys are placed 24 cm from the lip plate. To make it easier for the smaller/younger player to reach the keys without over stretching, some flutes come with curved head joints.

If you are looking to start a child under the age of 11 playing the flute, it is important that you select the correct instrument for them to learn on. Your child's music teacher should be able to advise on this. Unfortunately I have seen a number of cases recently where the correct advice hasn't been volunteered, and a young/small child has been given a standard straight head flute, where a curved head would be more appropriate. Below are some pointers on what to look for, but if you are in any doubt you should speak to your child's music teacher.

How to tell if your child is over stretching.

First you need to fully assemble the flute. With the lip plate held under the bottom lip, the flute should be held straight, pointing out to the right of the body with the player's neck, shoulders and back straight. If the flute starts to drop at the end, it is a sign that the player is over stretching - this will cause the right shoulder to drop, and put undue pressure on the neck and back.

With fingers on the keys, the left elbow should be bent and under the chin. If the left elbow is positioned across the right side of the face, this is another sign of over stretching.

If you see either of the signs above, your youngster will in all likelihood need to start with a curved head joint.

Curved head flutes can be expensive and are usually only required for a small amount of time, say 6-12 months, depending on how quick the player develops or grows. You should speak with your teacher or local music service, as one may be available for hire.

If you are unable to hire a curved head flute, they are available on eBay, but please be careful - check out my advice on buying used flutes from eBay. Some curved head flutes have straight heads with them too, which will give them a longer life span for a growing player (though these command a higher price). These instruments are always popular, so one that is well cared for, could have a similar re-sale value if you wanted to sell back on later to fund an upgrade.

Whatever you do, don't be tempted to go out and buy a curved head joint by itself. Every make/model of flute has a slightly different gauge, and unless the head joint is specifically designed for the model of flute you have, it is unlikely it will fit.

Some places on the web offer children's flutes, these have the curved head joint, and are lighter. But unlike standard flutes, they only go down to low D (same as a piccolo). I wouldn't recommend these, as they don't have the same resale value as curved head flutes to low C, and I'm not convinced of their suitability for ABRSM graded exams.