Low notes on Flute

[Vortex]

Hi, I'm working on doubling on flute - I already have a list on instruments under my belt including alto sax (primary), clarinet, guitar, piano, electric bass. I can get the whole middle register pretty well and play with control up to a high G, but I have a difficult time playing low notes, lower than a G or so - the lowest I've hit with decent clarity was an F. I understand loosening the embouchure for this, but what can I do to get a nice decent-volume on the really low notes?

[Gordon (NZ)]

I don't believe there is any single magic solution.

If you are having trouble with F to D, then either your have an embouchure that needs expert attention from a teacher who can listen and watch, or your instrument is in a sad state, or the instrument is of VERY low quality.

Even a single, minute leak affects the low notes on flute - dramatically!

One issue is the length of the windway, from behind the lips to the front. If this is not long enough, then the airstream produced is sufficiently turbulent that by the time it gets to the other side of the flute embouchure hole, most of it is facing a direction where it is incapable of contributing to sound production.

If you pull your lips tight around your teeth then the length of this windway is greatly shortened, so a certain degree of relaxation of the lips is vital. Note that length of windway is also important for high notes, even though the cross-sectional area of it is a lot smaller. Take a look at a recorder - to assist with those nice clear low notes, the windway is a couple of centimetres long!

If the wind way is short, then there is much turbulence in the airstream, and this causes a dominance in high frequencies, similar to the sound of water rushing through a constriction, say filling a bathroom cistern. Some players want this sound, but still the main body of sound relies on most of the3 airstream being non-turbulent.

IMHO

[gary]

Vortex, instead of thinking of loosening your lips, try thinking of making the opening larger (and oval).

[Vortex]

Ahh, I think I understand now. It's almost certainly an embouchure problem on my part since my Gemeinhardt has had a recent setup/regulation. I've been getting improvement, now getting to that low F isn't as uncommon - my lips are pretty relaxed when I play and don't go around my teeth. Gonna keep fighting the good fight and I'll post whenever I make some more progress.

[Gordon (NZ)]

Get the flute checked by an accomplished player, or do leak tests on it yourself, unless you KNOW that your technician has an excellent reputation.

There are many so-called technicians who are not capable of setting up a flute without leaks.

[Vortex]

Thanks guys, I think you're both right in both regards. My embouchure is improving and I'm having an easier time getting results now, but also part of the problem is indeed the flute. I played a different (inferior by model) flute earlier today and was able to get to a low C much easier than on my own Gemeinhardt 3B. I know an excellent technician nearby that I'll take it to soon.