Nasty notes on the flute

[tubbycub]

After playing the flute the about six months, I can play most of the notes on the three octaves with ease. However, I noticed that certain notes like B2, C2, C#2 and F#3 are particularly hard to produce, even when slurring from neighboring notes. What I normally get are either dropping to a lower octave or a cracked note.

What can I do to over come this?

[sax_appeal]

Firstly you have to look at why they're not coming out properly- is it because of support, air stream, embouchure, the flute itself, etc. In order to remedy the problem you need to know what is causing it

[Gordon (NZ)]

With certain notes being relative exceptions, the higher you go, the more speed you need in your airstream, and this applies especially to F# and G# in the third octave (and also E if the flute does not have a 'split E' or equivalent.)

It is this speed that gets you into a higher harmonic. There are other factors such as the angle at which this airstream impinges on the far wall of the embouchure hole, i.e. it is actually the air's REBOUND speed after hitting this wall that is significant, and this rebound speed is higher when the airstream is more at right angles to the wall's surface.

To achieve more airstream speed, you need more air pressure from your lungs, i.e. in simple terms, blow harder. To translate this increase of pressure into airstream speed, the lips have good support (pressing together rather than pulled tight against teeth). The higher you go, the more you will need to reduce the lip aperture in order to translate air pressure to faster airstream speed.

Try getting a good sound on D3 or G3, which are relatively easy notes, with high air pressure, and then slur (or tongue) DOWN to the troublesome notes, to get the concept of what pressure is needed. Those troublesome notes need roughly the same air pressure as G3. For F#, try slurring (or tonguing) down from A3, which is relatively easy, but not as easy as D & G.

[tubbycub]

Thanks Gordon for the great advice :)

I have another question here. As there is no support from the right pinkie when you finger D2, how do you position your hands/fingers when you move to and fro between C2/C#2 and D2?

I have a rough idea on how to do it but it is so difficult to remember to finger the Eb key quickly when I move back to C2/C#2.

[Gordon (NZ)]

If you are holding your flute appropriately, then the three supports - chin, left finger between 2nd & 3rd joint from the end, and right thumb (beneath first finger) - are sufficient to stabilize the flute.

[Tully]

Although the flute is obviously supported by your chin, be careful not to push it in hard, as that tends to detract from the quality of your tone, and it can make high notes way less stable. It may feel weird at first, but you'll get used to having minimal pressure against your mouth. Exactly how much pressure you need seems to depend on the shape of your mouth. Some notes, such as high E and F#, are simply harder than others to play, but you will eventually get to the point at which you can easily play every note--it just take practice, a good embouchure, and time. Also, as a general playing tip, try to keep your fingers as light and close to the keys as possible--take advantage of the fact that a flute's action is much lighter than that of a sax.

[Gordon (NZ)]

it is so difficult to remember to finger the Eb key quickly when I move back to C2/C#2....

It was once SOOO difficult for you to get that spoon into your mouth while eating, rather than up your nose, in your ears, or in your hair. It just takes practice, then becomes totally automatic. :P :roll: :( :D

[martysax]

My toughest note seems to be E3. I play an Armstrong 80B, and I really have to focus on that note or it just doesn't come out. It's like squeezing out G3 on a sax.

I'm not familiar with the "split E" Do I have a flute that has it?

[martysax]

The guys in my band say the nastiest flute notes are the melody line to the hustle. I play it whenever I want to impose pain upon them.