Achieving that ellusive first note.

[Captain Beeflat]

With similar fingering, it seems, as a saxophonist, that flute playing should be added to one's skills.
However, folllowing weeks of huffing & puffing, I was unable to get a sound out of the thing. I am very grateful therefore to Gordon (NZ) for his detailed description. Many thanks Gordon, at last the beastly thing is beginning to make sounds.

[Gordon (NZ)]

Thank you so much for the feedback.

One offers something to the internet big black hole, and often one has no idea whether it was of any use to anybody.

:) :) Your feedback made it worth offering. :) :)

[Tully]

Take lessons, if possible. I am always able to help someone improve much more by working with them for ten minutes than talking/typing for an hour, but anything you can get helps. Flute tone can be intially daunting, to say the least, so do not get discouraged. In my opinion, flute makes up for having a difficult embouchure by having relatively easy and logical fingerings on many high notes.

Also, just like for saxophone, listen to great flutists and try to emulate their tone.

[SaxPlayer1004]

the only thing that is still a little wierd is keeping the D# key down and having to take it off for the d. its very wierd for me on pic because i have really large hands.

[Tully]

Yeah, the deal with the D# key is weird. I had the exact opposite problem when I was first learning sax: I always wanted to leave it down, as well as use my right-hand third finger for F#. Also, I'm still inclined to us 1--/1-- for Bb, because the normal fingering is just so un-intuitive for me.

[Gordon (NZ)]

The D# key actually doesn't need to be down for most notes, but seeing it must be down for E, the player may as well leave it down for the rest. If it were off for the notes that don't need it, then the player would have even more trouble putting it down for E.<P>On a sax the tone hole under the D key is made larger than its neighbours, especially so that the D# does not need to be pressed for E. I suppose a larger tone hole on a flute would intrude too much into the lower tenon socket area, and may have undesirable repercussions for some of the third octave notes.

[bpimentel]

Many flutists also consider the D# key to be a point of support and balance for the instrument, especially on, say, middle or high C and C#.

Personal opinion--you ought to be able to balance the flute while playing those notes without using the D# key, but then you should use if anyway as an extra precaution. And, as Gordon (NZ) points out, it does ultimately simplify the technique.

Bret

[SaxPlayer1004]

sorry, my post was a little misleading, i was reffering to picc only, i have no problem on flute, the picc is just so small compared to the bari and tenor that i'm used to. a lot like when i play Eb clarinet. so small takes a while to get used to.

[nickjones8]

Hi All -

I've been trying to play the flute - on and off, mostly off - for about 18 years, and have always stalled on the same thing. I know the notes, have had several (not very helpful) lessons, and can breath without falling over, but I can't play above second octave G .... now, what's wrong with me? How long should I expect this to take before i get it right. I've just picked the thing up again, and would love to crack it before I give up again in desperation.

Does mouth shape make a difference - I have a scar in my upper lip, and am wondering if that's making it difficult.

Many thanks - and Gordon, if you're still sending out your helpful email pack.....I'd be very grateful for a copy! nickandoscar at tiscali dot co dot uk.

thanks all
nick

[Harri Rautiainen]

Hi All -
.......................................
Many thanks - and Gordon, if you're still sending out your helpful email pack.....I'd be very grateful for a copy! nickandoscar at tiscali dot co dot uk.
thanks all
nick
Nick,
it is of course up to Gordon. However, we up-loaded Gordon's "e-mail lesson kit" so, that Gordon did not have to mail it several hundred times:
http://www.saxontheweb.net/Resources/FluteLessons.html

Also: First note from a Flute (http://www.saxontheweb.net/Resources/FluteLessons2.html) by Gordon Palmer

[nickjones8]

Many thanks - I should have checked whether Gordon's excellent notes were available - sorry.

I'd still be interested to hear from anyone with other thoughts on my 2nd octave problem...

best
Nick

[Gordon (NZ)]

Air speed, air speed, air speed! It is air speed that determines which harmonic you get.

To increase air speed you need two things:

1. More air pressure from the lungs. Some people simply may not have enough 'fitness' in their breathing mechanism to achieve this. Think blowing up balloons.

2. Sufficient strength and control of the muscles that support the lips to maintain a DECREASED embouchure hole size, in order to convert that air PRESSURE energy into air SPEED energy.

You'll find words to this effect in the above-mentioned links.