1) Even though your flute looks really cool and shiny, resist the urge to take it out of the case yet- read this first. Whenever you aren't playing it, especially when you're putting it together or taking it apart, make sure you hold it by the ends or the neck (the space between the lip plate and the keys.) Never hold your flute by the keys. Never twist the keys while putting your flute together or taking it apart. This can cause key leaks, which are a pain and cost $$$ to repair. Just get in the habit of putting together and holding your flute correctly now. You'll be glad you did.
2) Making a first sound is probably the hardest thing anyone ever has to do on the flute. Try this- Put your finger on your lips, parallel to the floor. Now run your finger down to your chin. There is a slight depression there, and that is where the embochure plate on your flute goes. The hole in the middle of the plate should line up with the bump in the center of your top lip. It is important to get the hole exactly centered. Looking in a mirror may help you to figure out what centered feels like. Avoid rolling the flute in, sticking your tongue in the hole, "kiss and roll," "brush and roll," or any other techniques like these to get your flute centered. Although they may be helpful to you now, they are bad habits that you will have to break at some time. Believe me- I've been there, too.
3) Hand position- It is important to curve your fingers, with the pad of the finger resting on the key. The right-hand thumb should rest between the first and second fingers under the flute, so that the right hand makes a C-shape.
4) Tonguing on the flute does not mean physically stopping the airstream with the tongue. To simulate tonguing, put down your flute and say "ta." Notice where your tongue touches your mouth- right where your front teeth and gums meet. Now take your flute, blow some air, and say "ta." That's tonguing.
5) Breathing on the flute is very different from regular breathing. When you pant like a dog, you use your diaphragm muscles, located between your lungs and stomach. To breathe for the flute, take deep breaths from the diaphragm. To practice, sit in a chair, bend over at the hips, and put your hands just above your hips. Take deep breaths, expanding the area by your hands first.
Fingering Chart - for the complete range of the flute!
I hope these tips will help you to avoid some of the bad habits I had when first learning to play.
1) Starting the Flute and/or Piccolo- Basic information about how to blow air into the flute, where to put your fingers, etc. Very thorough.
2) Learning to Play the Flute- Pianist and singer David Wheeler wrote an article about what it was like when he tried to play the flute. Very in-depth, and he makes some good points (but it's a good idea to have a teacher when learning to play).
3) Getting a Sound- Pictures and descriptions of flute embouchure.
4) How to Play the Flute- Steps for learning to play and making a sound.
5) Lessons- Basic music theory and learning to play.