I have been playing the flute for 3 years
and I have just started playing more high notes in band class. For some reason I
can never play a high E Natural. No matter how hard I blow. I know there is
nothing wrong with my flute but maybe how I have my lips positioned. Can
somebody give me tips??? Meghan[:devil:]
Trouble with High E Naturals
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
Trouble with High E Naturals
"There is no too young
or too old person who's age should prevent them from playing the flute."
"Everyone needs a hobby. Some people pick flutes over sewing or cooking. Some
people do all three."
or too old person who's age should prevent them from playing the flute."
"Everyone needs a hobby. Some people pick flutes over sewing or cooking. Some
people do all three."
Trouble with High E Naturals
[quote] ---------------- On 6/14/2004
2:23:31 PM I have been playing the flute for 3 years and I have just started
playing more high notes in band class. For some reason I can never play a high E
Natural. No matter how hard I blow. I know there is nothing wrong with my flute
but maybe how I have my lips positioned. Can somebody give me tips???
Meghan[:devil:] ---------------- [/quote] Ah - I feel your pain! You're
struggling with what I believe is the fussiest note on the flute (get a tuner
and see how your D-flat is for a close second!) I'm not a flute teacher so
please bear with me, but I remember well how hard it was to learn the third
octave E - you are not at all alone! I suspect you are probably trying to blow
too hard to get the note out. I am sure you can play a third octave D and an Eb,
right? Using the same air flow, try bringing your lips forward a bit on the lip
plate - in other words aim the air slightly outward - don't "purse" too much or
you will squeeze the sound off, but try to aim outward a little more and see if
that helps. I wish I could suggest more but it's hard without acutally being
able to watch you play - there could be other factors to consider - e.g. when I
was first learning the third octave E 20 or so years ago, I had a mouth
absolutely FULL of braces! Lots of modifications were needed! [:bigsmile:] But
aiming my lips outward is how I learned to eventually get a lovely E (braces and
all!) and subsequently I mastered all the higher register notes up to the fourth
octave D. You might also look into a flute that has a split E mechanism which
makes this fussy note SOOOOO much easier to deal with! If you have an affinity
for the inline G, though, this option is not currently available to the best of
my knowledge. After years of playing an inline, I don't mind going back to an
offset for the benefit of the split E. Good Luck and please let me know if
anything I've suggested helped you or not, OK?
2:23:31 PM I have been playing the flute for 3 years and I have just started
playing more high notes in band class. For some reason I can never play a high E
Natural. No matter how hard I blow. I know there is nothing wrong with my flute
but maybe how I have my lips positioned. Can somebody give me tips???
Meghan[:devil:] ---------------- [/quote] Ah - I feel your pain! You're
struggling with what I believe is the fussiest note on the flute (get a tuner
and see how your D-flat is for a close second!) I'm not a flute teacher so
please bear with me, but I remember well how hard it was to learn the third
octave E - you are not at all alone! I suspect you are probably trying to blow
too hard to get the note out. I am sure you can play a third octave D and an Eb,
right? Using the same air flow, try bringing your lips forward a bit on the lip
plate - in other words aim the air slightly outward - don't "purse" too much or
you will squeeze the sound off, but try to aim outward a little more and see if
that helps. I wish I could suggest more but it's hard without acutally being
able to watch you play - there could be other factors to consider - e.g. when I
was first learning the third octave E 20 or so years ago, I had a mouth
absolutely FULL of braces! Lots of modifications were needed! [:bigsmile:] But
aiming my lips outward is how I learned to eventually get a lovely E (braces and
all!) and subsequently I mastered all the higher register notes up to the fourth
octave D. You might also look into a flute that has a split E mechanism which
makes this fussy note SOOOOO much easier to deal with! If you have an affinity
for the inline G, though, this option is not currently available to the best of
my knowledge. After years of playing an inline, I don't mind going back to an
offset for the benefit of the split E. Good Luck and please let me know if
anything I've suggested helped you or not, OK?
Trouble with High E Naturals
High E natural is definitely a hard note
to play. One of the more troublesome notes on the flute. You are right that
it's not really how "hard" you blow.. more like WHERE you blow. It seems like
it's harder to find the "sweet spot" for the high e. You just have to
experiment with your flute to find out what will be the best way to hit that
note. You can practice by doing long tones, starting from the middle register e,
and slowly making your way up the chromatic scale. You will get better at
reaching that note. Another good exercise is harmonics.. you play a low A
natural, and without changing your fingering, adjust your embouchure and air
speed/direction to play middle "A" and then high E. Then play E with the real
fingering. This will get your lips and mouth used to reaching for that note
without actually using the fingering. Also try to find etudes that contain a lot
of high Es. The more you practice, the more effortless it will become for you.
[:)]
to play. One of the more troublesome notes on the flute. You are right that
it's not really how "hard" you blow.. more like WHERE you blow. It seems like
it's harder to find the "sweet spot" for the high e. You just have to
experiment with your flute to find out what will be the best way to hit that
note. You can practice by doing long tones, starting from the middle register e,
and slowly making your way up the chromatic scale. You will get better at
reaching that note. Another good exercise is harmonics.. you play a low A
natural, and without changing your fingering, adjust your embouchure and air
speed/direction to play middle "A" and then high E. Then play E with the real
fingering. This will get your lips and mouth used to reaching for that note
without actually using the fingering. Also try to find etudes that contain a lot
of high Es. The more you practice, the more effortless it will become for you.
[:)]
Cheers,
Emily
Emily
Trouble with High E Naturals
I have been playing the flute for 3 years
and I have just started playing more high notes in band class. For some reason I
can never play a high E Natural. No matter how hard I blow. I know there is
nothing wrong with my flute but maybe how I have my lips positioned. Can
somebody give me tips??? Meghan[:devil:] ~Meghan: Miss Spinnella has tried to
help you with them, but you don't tend to pay attention to her advice. Silly
girl. You know I've tried to help you with them before. You can ask me for help
on everything. Put your fingering down, tilt your mouth peice more towards your
lips (roll it in), and blow. Make sure you hold your lips a little tighter when
you do that because you tend to leave them pretty loose during lessons. Also,
make sure you have your plugs in on your Yamaha when you do it, or use that new
flute you got the other day! [;)] [:bigsmile:] [:sun:] [:p] [:)]
and I have just started playing more high notes in band class. For some reason I
can never play a high E Natural. No matter how hard I blow. I know there is
nothing wrong with my flute but maybe how I have my lips positioned. Can
somebody give me tips??? Meghan[:devil:] ~Meghan: Miss Spinnella has tried to
help you with them, but you don't tend to pay attention to her advice. Silly
girl. You know I've tried to help you with them before. You can ask me for help
on everything. Put your fingering down, tilt your mouth peice more towards your
lips (roll it in), and blow. Make sure you hold your lips a little tighter when
you do that because you tend to leave them pretty loose during lessons. Also,
make sure you have your plugs in on your Yamaha when you do it, or use that new
flute you got the other day! [;)] [:bigsmile:] [:sun:] [:p] [:)]
SaraElizabeth
"I would have to be sick or physically unable, to not play the flute."
"You can
take away my freedom, but you can't take away my music."
"I would have to be sick or physically unable, to not play the flute."
"You can
take away my freedom, but you can't take away my music."
Trouble with High E Naturals
That E is certainly a hard note to play!
That's why they've come up with the split E, G donut, etc. The E on Boehm's
original design was much easier to play since he employed an open G# key rather
than the closed G# we all learn on. I would not reccomend tightening your lips
to play this note, or any other note really. E is finicky, but there is a
certain spot to blow which will bring it out well. It's important to have a lot
of open space inside your mouth to get notes out well, this really has a big
effect on the sound! I like the harmonic exercise, and I think it's the best
way to work up to playing high notes. Playing higher harmonics is similar to
playing high notes with their true fingerings, so it's a good way to learn how
to blow. Start with a low C and blow "past" the note, creating a C an octave up,
then G above that and so on, without changing your fingers (my appologies for
explaining harmonics again, I'm sure you've heard it all before!) Our E is the
third harmonic of A, so by playing up the A harmonics, you can get a good feel
for how to produce the high E. Have you been learning any other high notes
recently? I find F# to be a bit harder, like E (and of course those really
really high notes are hard). Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes!
-Bradford
That's why they've come up with the split E, G donut, etc. The E on Boehm's
original design was much easier to play since he employed an open G# key rather
than the closed G# we all learn on. I would not reccomend tightening your lips
to play this note, or any other note really. E is finicky, but there is a
certain spot to blow which will bring it out well. It's important to have a lot
of open space inside your mouth to get notes out well, this really has a big
effect on the sound! I like the harmonic exercise, and I think it's the best
way to work up to playing high notes. Playing higher harmonics is similar to
playing high notes with their true fingerings, so it's a good way to learn how
to blow. Start with a low C and blow "past" the note, creating a C an octave up,
then G above that and so on, without changing your fingers (my appologies for
explaining harmonics again, I'm sure you've heard it all before!) Our E is the
third harmonic of A, so by playing up the A harmonics, you can get a good feel
for how to produce the high E. Have you been learning any other high notes
recently? I find F# to be a bit harder, like E (and of course those really
really high notes are hard). Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes!
-Bradford
Trouble with High E Naturals
[quote] ---------------- On 6/14/2004
2:23:31 PM For some reason I can never play a high E Natural. No matter how hard
I blow. I know there is nothing wrong with my flute but maybe how I have my lips
positioned. Can somebody give me tips??? Meghan[:devil:] ----------------
[/quote] I assume you are talking about E in the third octave? Do you use
alternate fingerings? I don't seem to have much problem with E3 using alternate
fingering but it is a bit sharp, F3 is not too bad but G3 is very sharp as is
A3. Fortunately, based on what others have said, a lot of music does not require
those high notes.
2:23:31 PM For some reason I can never play a high E Natural. No matter how hard
I blow. I know there is nothing wrong with my flute but maybe how I have my lips
positioned. Can somebody give me tips??? Meghan[:devil:] ----------------
[/quote] I assume you are talking about E in the third octave? Do you use
alternate fingerings? I don't seem to have much problem with E3 using alternate
fingering but it is a bit sharp, F3 is not too bad but G3 is very sharp as is
A3. Fortunately, based on what others have said, a lot of music does not require
those high notes.
Trouble with High E Naturals
Reply to>>> "I assume you are talking
about E in the third octave? Do you use alternate fingerings? I don't seem to
have much problem with E3 using alternate fingering but it is a bit sharp, F3 is
not too bad but G3 is very sharp as is A3. Fortunately, based on what others
have said, a lot of music does not require those high notes." A lot of music
does not require those high notes?? I beg to differ. Maybe if you're talking
band music... but as you progress to more difficult music (solo music
especially), you will find those high notes much more frequently. You need to
know how to play the upper octave just as well as you do the middle and lower
octaves. In fact, if you have problems with the upper octave, it's good to
practice that even MORE than the other octaves so that when you have pieces that
are all over the range of the flute, you will have smooth transitions (and sound
dynamite!!). Ideally it should sound like the upper octave is as effortless as
the middle octave.. I know, easier said than done. But when you have a piece
that maybe only has a couple of "high" notes, you don't want them to *sound*
like they're high notes.. if you know what I mean. Your audience shouldn't
have to know that you are doing anything special or trying really hard to get
them out. I hope that makes sense.
about E in the third octave? Do you use alternate fingerings? I don't seem to
have much problem with E3 using alternate fingering but it is a bit sharp, F3 is
not too bad but G3 is very sharp as is A3. Fortunately, based on what others
have said, a lot of music does not require those high notes." A lot of music
does not require those high notes?? I beg to differ. Maybe if you're talking
band music... but as you progress to more difficult music (solo music
especially), you will find those high notes much more frequently. You need to
know how to play the upper octave just as well as you do the middle and lower
octaves. In fact, if you have problems with the upper octave, it's good to
practice that even MORE than the other octaves so that when you have pieces that
are all over the range of the flute, you will have smooth transitions (and sound
dynamite!!). Ideally it should sound like the upper octave is as effortless as
the middle octave.. I know, easier said than done. But when you have a piece
that maybe only has a couple of "high" notes, you don't want them to *sound*
like they're high notes.. if you know what I mean. Your audience shouldn't
have to know that you are doing anything special or trying really hard to get
them out. I hope that makes sense.
Cheers,
Emily
Emily
-
whsmusicguy05
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 5:02 pm
Trouble with High E Naturals
Try picking up the pinky on your right
hand... it made worlds of difference for me until i figured out my own mouth
problems on that note.
hand... it made worlds of difference for me until i figured out my own mouth
problems on that note.
Trouble with High E Naturals
[quote] ---------------- On 6/16/2004
9:49:26 PM Reply to>>> "I assume you are talking
about E in the third octave? Do you use alternate fingerings? I don't seem to
have much problem with E3 using alternate fingering but it is a bit sharp, F3 is
not too bad but G3 is very sharp as is A3. Fortunately, based on what others
have said, a lot of music does not require those high notes." A lot of
music does not require those high notes?? I beg to differ. Maybe if you're
talking band music... but as you progress to more difficult music (solo music
especially), you will find those high notes much more frequently. You need to
know how to play the upper octave just as well as you do the middle and lower
octaves. In fact, if you have problems with the upper octave, it's good to
practice that even MORE than the other octaves so that when you have pieces that
are all over the range of the flute, you will have smooth transitions (and sound
dynamite!!). Ideally it should sound like the upper octave is as effortless as
the middle octave.. I know, easier said than done. But when you have a piece
that maybe only has a couple of "high" notes, you don't want
them to *sound* like they're high notes.. if you know what I mean. Your
audience shouldn't have to know that you are doing anything special or trying
really hard to get them out. I hope that makes sense. ---------------- I agree
with you Emily, except for the band part. To clue you in, we have so many band
parts in our school that call for High E naturals. Meghan and I are in the same
school and band.
9:49:26 PM Reply to>>> "I assume you are talking
about E in the third octave? Do you use alternate fingerings? I don't seem to
have much problem with E3 using alternate fingering but it is a bit sharp, F3 is
not too bad but G3 is very sharp as is A3. Fortunately, based on what others
have said, a lot of music does not require those high notes." A lot of
music does not require those high notes?? I beg to differ. Maybe if you're
talking band music... but as you progress to more difficult music (solo music
especially), you will find those high notes much more frequently. You need to
know how to play the upper octave just as well as you do the middle and lower
octaves. In fact, if you have problems with the upper octave, it's good to
practice that even MORE than the other octaves so that when you have pieces that
are all over the range of the flute, you will have smooth transitions (and sound
dynamite!!). Ideally it should sound like the upper octave is as effortless as
the middle octave.. I know, easier said than done. But when you have a piece
that maybe only has a couple of "high" notes, you don't want
them to *sound* like they're high notes.. if you know what I mean. Your
audience shouldn't have to know that you are doing anything special or trying
really hard to get them out. I hope that makes sense. ---------------- I agree
with you Emily, except for the band part. To clue you in, we have so many band
parts in our school that call for High E naturals. Meghan and I are in the same
school and band.
SaraElizabeth
"I would have to be sick or physically unable, to not play the flute."
"You can
take away my freedom, but you can't take away my music."
"I would have to be sick or physically unable, to not play the flute."
"You can
take away my freedom, but you can't take away my music."
Trouble with High E Naturals
Meghan, I figured out what you usually do
wrong! You forget to take off your left ring finger when you play it. You take
it off a little bet, but your finger still holds the key about half way down.
Try to correct this and you'll be able to play it.
wrong! You forget to take off your left ring finger when you play it. You take
it off a little bet, but your finger still holds the key about half way down.
Try to correct this and you'll be able to play it.
SaraElizabeth
"I would have to be sick or physically unable, to not play the flute."
"You can
take away my freedom, but you can't take away my music."
"I would have to be sick or physically unable, to not play the flute."
"You can
take away my freedom, but you can't take away my music."
Trouble with High E Naturals
[quote] ---------------- On 6/15/2004
5:23:06 PM I have been playing the flute for 3 years and I have just started
playing more high notes in band class. For some reason I can never play a high E
Natural. No matter how hard I blow. I know there is nothing wrong with my flute
but maybe how I have my lips positioned. Can somebody give me tips???
Meghan[:devil:] ~Meghan: Miss Spinnella has tried to help you with them, but you
don't tend to pay attention to her advice. Silly girl. You know I've tried to
help you with them before. You can ask me for help on everything. Put your
fingering down, tilt your mouth peice more towards your lips (roll it in), and
blow. Make sure you hold your lips a little tighter when you do that because you
tend to leave them pretty loose during lessons. Also, make sure you have your
plugs in on your Yamaha when you do it, or use that new flute you got the other
day! [;)] [:bigsmile:] [:sun:] [:p] [:)] ---------------- [/quote] I would
respectfully disagree with this advice. The position of the flute on the chin
should remain the same for every note (ie you should never roll in or out to get
certain notes!)... if you roll in it will be "easier" to get the high E, but it
will be extremely flat in pitch and your tone will be very thin and reedy. Keep
your flute in it's regular position, and just aim the airstream higher. You can
do this by moving your bottom jaw forward and up a little - a sort of diagonal
movement. Imagine that a lower note creates and "ahhhhhhhh" shape in your mouth,
the higher notes have more of an "ooooooo" shape. Try saying these vowel sounds
and notice the difference inside your mouth. Good luck! ...edited to say one
more thing... I try to avoid using terms like "tighten" especially when
referring to the embouchure (lips). We should aim to keep our whole body as
relaxed and natural as possible when playing. Considering we're standing in
such an un-natural way when playing flute, it's important not to put any
further stress on any part of the body. Instead of saying "tighten the lips" you
could re-phrase it as "create a smaller aperture (hole) in your lips when
blowing. I use the concept of drinking straws... a large straw like those you
might get at McDonalds (!!!) would be the size for low notes. A regular drinking
straw would be the size for "middle" notes, and a small tetra-pack juice straw
(not sure if you have these in the US - like what kids take to school for lunch,
a small carton of juice with a mini-straw attached) for higher notes.
5:23:06 PM I have been playing the flute for 3 years and I have just started
playing more high notes in band class. For some reason I can never play a high E
Natural. No matter how hard I blow. I know there is nothing wrong with my flute
but maybe how I have my lips positioned. Can somebody give me tips???
Meghan[:devil:] ~Meghan: Miss Spinnella has tried to help you with them, but you
don't tend to pay attention to her advice. Silly girl. You know I've tried to
help you with them before. You can ask me for help on everything. Put your
fingering down, tilt your mouth peice more towards your lips (roll it in), and
blow. Make sure you hold your lips a little tighter when you do that because you
tend to leave them pretty loose during lessons. Also, make sure you have your
plugs in on your Yamaha when you do it, or use that new flute you got the other
day! [;)] [:bigsmile:] [:sun:] [:p] [:)] ---------------- [/quote] I would
respectfully disagree with this advice. The position of the flute on the chin
should remain the same for every note (ie you should never roll in or out to get
certain notes!)... if you roll in it will be "easier" to get the high E, but it
will be extremely flat in pitch and your tone will be very thin and reedy. Keep
your flute in it's regular position, and just aim the airstream higher. You can
do this by moving your bottom jaw forward and up a little - a sort of diagonal
movement. Imagine that a lower note creates and "ahhhhhhhh" shape in your mouth,
the higher notes have more of an "ooooooo" shape. Try saying these vowel sounds
and notice the difference inside your mouth. Good luck! ...edited to say one
more thing... I try to avoid using terms like "tighten" especially when
referring to the embouchure (lips). We should aim to keep our whole body as
relaxed and natural as possible when playing. Considering we're standing in
such an un-natural way when playing flute, it's important not to put any
further stress on any part of the body. Instead of saying "tighten the lips" you
could re-phrase it as "create a smaller aperture (hole) in your lips when
blowing. I use the concept of drinking straws... a large straw like those you
might get at McDonalds (!!!) would be the size for low notes. A regular drinking
straw would be the size for "middle" notes, and a small tetra-pack juice straw
(not sure if you have these in the US - like what kids take to school for lunch,
a small carton of juice with a mini-straw attached) for higher notes.
-
saiphrigel
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Jun 23, 2004 8:25 pm
Trouble with High E Naturals
Yeah, the E is for Evil. And thank you,
noseflute! No one should roll in or out to try to hit a note...rolling in will
make you go flat and rolling out will make you go sharp. I set my emboucher,
keep my airstream moving steadily across the mouthpiece and open my throat
almost as if I were yawning. It's all about the air flow...keep practicing and
you'll get it. I'd get a flute with a split E, but they are pricey and I am
too cheap right now!
noseflute! No one should roll in or out to try to hit a note...rolling in will
make you go flat and rolling out will make you go sharp. I set my emboucher,
keep my airstream moving steadily across the mouthpiece and open my throat
almost as if I were yawning. It's all about the air flow...keep practicing and
you'll get it. I'd get a flute with a split E, but they are pricey and I am
too cheap right now!
Ohh i LOVE those notes the high high E and high F are my favorites!! I love highnotes anywho you need to make your lips very tiny and blow at a medium rate and if you practice enough you will know just how to do it. Its hard at first and its hard to explain because everyone is different so you might have to move your mouthpiece more or adjust you lips!
~Vanessa~
Hope I was of some help!
~Vanessa~
Hope I was of some help!
Re: Trouble with High E Naturals
Your advice worked for me just now, Ick27. Thank you.ick27 wrote:Our E is the third harmonic of A, so by playing up the A harmonics, you can get a good feel for how to produce the high E.
-Bradford