Search found 11 matches

by ObscureStar
Tue Mar 05, 2013 6:04 pm
Forum: Intermediate Flute Playing Tips and Questions
Topic: CLeaning sterling silver flute with alcohol?
Replies: 36
Views: 84756

Re:

It's called denatured alcohol. Rubbing alcohol contains water whereas denatured alcohol doesn't. Denatured alcohol or MET is different from rubbing (Isopropyl) alcohol in several ways. MET is Ethanol with a methyl group attached to it because we have prudish idiots in government. MET is poisonous t...
by ObscureStar
Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:35 pm
Forum: Flute Basics
Topic: Homemade Bamboo Flute Troubles.
Replies: 3
Views: 8007

Re: Homemade Bamboo Flute Troubles.

You're going to want to learn a little math if you really want to do this. The diameter of the inner wall of the bamboo and the length of the bamboo are very important to the size and spacing of the mouthpiece and holes. You'll also want to sand the far side of the inside of the mouthpiece at an ang...
by ObscureStar
Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:28 pm
Forum: Flute Basics
Topic: Some theory things that confuse me
Replies: 1
Views: 4330

Re: Some theory things that confuse me

A couple of tricks that can work. Put the flute down and ignore the notes for a little bit. Try just clapping out the rhythm. Sometimes it's also useful to look a little further than the first few bars and see if there's another bit that has a similar structure but is somewhat easier on your head, g...
by ObscureStar
Wed Feb 27, 2013 3:31 pm
Forum: General "Hang-Out" Place
Topic: Step up from Armstrong 80?
Replies: 6
Views: 6813

Re: Step up from Armstrong 80?

FWIW, West Valley Music in Mountain View turned out to have a pretty huge selection in-stock and I got to try a dozen or so different brands. Really liked the Miyazawa except the head joints were really loose (though the store said they'd set them up properly before purchase) on the 404 in particula...
by ObscureStar
Fri Feb 22, 2013 2:14 pm
Forum: Intermediate Flute Playing Tips and Questions
Topic: Playing by ear tips?
Replies: 7
Views: 17478

Re: Playing by ear tips?

Start with simple songs you know by heart. Twinkle Twinkle, christmas carols, Beetles, that sort of thing. If you fail to play what you want but you find a good groove, don't be afraid to go off on a tangent and noodle around. You'll probably learn something that will help when you're trying to play...
by ObscureStar
Fri Feb 22, 2013 2:08 pm
Forum: Flute Playing and Practicing Basics
Topic: Trouble with Playing Smoothly
Replies: 6
Views: 10466

Re: Trouble with Playing Smoothly

Something I've found made a big difference was the volume I have been playing at. Being in a shared house, I've been quite self-conscious of playing, which means trying to be quiet... which means my notes are a lot less supported and consistent. I've found it's worth making sure I'm playing at full...
by ObscureStar
Fri Feb 22, 2013 2:01 pm
Forum: Flute Playing and Practicing Basics
Topic: exercise
Replies: 1
Views: 4149

Re: exercise

How much should I exercise and what are the proper ways to exercise? I exercise like almost every 3 or 4 days a week, each time is different work-out. I did my abs work- out today and it cause me neck pain. How can I do sit-up without forcing my neck? + You could do leg-lifts instead of sit-ups. La...
by ObscureStar
Fri Feb 22, 2013 1:55 pm
Forum: Flute Playing and Practicing Basics
Topic: Need help with technique using open-holed flute
Replies: 12
Views: 20329

Re:

When I first started playing on an openhole, I tried something un conventional. I practiced on a Tranverse Bamboo flute. Not only did playing on these instruments improve my open hole playing, but they also help me gain better control of my embrochure. In order to play one of these flutes, you must...
by ObscureStar
Wed Feb 20, 2013 7:16 pm
Forum: General "Hang-Out" Place
Topic: Step up from Armstrong 80?
Replies: 6
Views: 6813

Re: Step up from Armstrong 80?

Okay, so follow up question! :) Where can I find flute stores in the SF Bay Area? I live down in Santa Cruz and oddly enough while there are at least a dozen guitar shops and two dedicated Ukelele stores, I found a grand total of 7 flutes for sale (all at a single shop and used) and not counting the...
by ObscureStar
Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:30 pm
Forum: General "Hang-Out" Place
Topic: Bamboo flute fingering chart?
Replies: 2
Views: 5807

Re: Bamboo flute fingering chart?

Fingering varies a lot on bamboo flutes depending on the bore of the bamboo, the spacing of the holes, the size of the holes, etc. That one looks like it will probably not be a standard european major scale. Your best bet is to get a cheap audio tuner (you can download lots of free ones for phone an...
by ObscureStar
Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:50 pm
Forum: General "Hang-Out" Place
Topic: Step up from Armstrong 80?
Replies: 6
Views: 6813

Step up from Armstrong 80?

Hi, I have been playing an old Armstrong 80 for some time and am now contemplating stepping up in quality, but the question is: What do I step up to? I know I would like to get a B foot. I have an irregular embouchure shape; I was hit by a drunk driver several years ago and lost my front teeth and h...