Trouble with F# above the staff

muzikislif3 · Post by **muzikislif3** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:51 am

Hey. First of all, I'm not a beginner lol. I've been playing flute for almost 7 years and I am the woodwind captain this year in my high school's marching band. I am having lots of trouble getting the high F# out. It is usually very airy or shrill and nasty sounding, or both. HHHHEEELLLPPPP!!!! I have 2 of them in one of the woodwind features in our show. Thanks :)

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 2:33 pm

Yes, that is a nasty note.

There is an alternate fingering that I use, especially when it needs to be ppp ...

Instead of T xox|oox D#, try T xox|oxo D#

Makes it a lot easier and less sharp too !!!

Of course you need to support with more velocity too.

muzikislif3 · Post by **muzikislif3** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:08 pm

hey thanks. huh and i guess that would be an easier transition. it's F# 8th note, followed by and E natural 16th note, followed by another F# 16th note, Down to a D and then an down an octave D. I'm sorry lol there's 4. But yeah, Ive been using the crappier fingering and didn't know there was a better one lol. Thats the same fingering on alto sax too so awesome :). Thanks a lot!!!

c_otter · Post by **c_otter** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:33 pm

Also, make sure you are not use the Thumb Bb key. That key will kill the high F#.

stewyflute13 · Post by **stewyflute13** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:28 pm

I don't know if this will help, but try to think about staying 'open' and not getting pinched on notes such as those. Also try not to force it or blow too hard (rather try to imagine you are blowing out a candle) and DEFINITELY support as c_otter said. For ways to help achieve these goals, try to imagine someone is opening your aperture with a toothpick- Another interesting idea that may seem strange but that I have heard from a lot of well-respected professors is to try to stay loose and leave space/ air between ur lips and your teeth (almost like there is a fish hook in your lip and someone is ever so effortlessly tugging away at your lip). Think of "kissing" the notes rather than "punching" them. Also try to play from the moist, red inside of your lips and keep your air-stream focused, direct and INTO the flute rather than "spraying" across the plate.

I have played for 13 years and am still working on that high register- so don't beat yourself up!

muzikislif3 · Post by **muzikislif3** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:43 pm

Hey, thanks! New fingering is sssoo much easier :) going to take some time getting used to but it is sssooo much better