Students must envision creating the smallest possible aperture in the flute embouchure in order to eliminate excess “air” noise when playing.  Unfortunately, envisioning something that one cannot see easily for oneself is difficult.  Using a milk straw to demonstrate the GOAL of aperture size is an effective tool, especially for tactile learners. 

Place the straw between the lips, holding it as loosely as possible without losing one’s grip on the straw … while keeping the straw parallel to the ground and keeping one’s head lowered into playing position.  Then EVER SO GENTLY use a thumb and index finger to tug at the straw  … GENTLY … so that one’s brain may experience the sensation of the goal size of the aperture in your lips.  Do not attempt to blow through the straw, as muscle control of air elimination without the straw is quite different than muscle use that keeps the straw in place.  The goal is simply to experience the SIZE of the aperture.  Then, moving gently while concentrating on the memory of the straw sensation, pick up JUST the headjoint, place it on the lower lip AT THE ANGLE it should be placed when using the entire instrument,  and blow gently across the embouchure plate to create the lowest tone occurring naturally when you blow across the flute aperture.  All movements must be controlled and gentle so that one’s brain may process the memory and apply it to creation of sound with the headjoint.

Another way to work on the size of one’s aperture is to consciously do breathing exercises during exhalation with lips shaped to hold a milk straw.