will my performance be affected?

Lozzi · Post by **Lozzi** » Sun May 11, 2003 2:55 pm

hi i have a brace, and although i think
i sound alright at the moment, my high notes, especially ones higher than top e
(e3 i think)are hard to play, and sound screechy. is this cos of my brace, or
just because i need more practise. i have only tried up to top f sharp (f3
sharp) and can just about manage too make a sound. please help! lozzi[:((]

Starqle · Post by **Starqle** » Sun May 11, 2003 7:58 pm

I don't know whether or not your
braces are affecting your playing. However, I do know that people can sound
beautiful, even on the high notes, with braces on – the persun who sits next to
me does. If you practice correctly, you will be able to get those notes to sound
nice. Don’t give up!

boglarka · Post by **boglarka** » Sun May 11, 2003 10:19 pm

Dear Lozzi, Although your braces may
be affecting your playing, if they were, I think they would do so in all the
registers. When playing 3rd register notes, make sure to relax your embochure.
Instead of "smiling" (pulling the corners of your lips back), relax your lips.
Practicing in front of a mirror and playing long tones could be of great help as
well. Good luck and keep practicing!

Lozzi · Post by **Lozzi** » Thu May 15, 2003 3:42 pm

thank you. another thing. i've been
told im too quiet when i play.Any tips on how to be louder?? thnx. Lozzi

Starqle · Post by **Starqle** » Thu May 15, 2003 7:45 pm

Part of this is gaining confidence. If
you want people to hear you, you’ll probably make the changes necessary
subconsciously. Also, if your flute might be at fault – some flutes, esp.
student models, have a faulty embouchure hole and cannot be loud without being
fuzzy. Aside from that, make sure you are using enough air. You should be
inhaling deeply with your diaphragm and maintaining a fast, even airflow while
exhaling. This will not only be louder, but it will also improve intonation.
Drop your jaw a little and open up your throat and mouth for a fuller sound –
this will carry better. Lastly, making a large “hole” with your lips will
increase the volume.

BandSlave · Post by **BandSlave** » Thu May 15, 2003 7:55 pm

Make sure that you support your tone
from your diaphragm. To make sure you're breathing correctly, feel your stomach
when you breath, if it expands, you're breathing correctly, if it doesn't then
you want to try it. Lie flat on the floor and place a book on your stomach and
each time it rises and falls, pay attention to how it feels. Another thing,
someone told me that cold, quick air makes softer tones while warm, slow air
makes louder sounds, if you feel like experimenting with it, try it out, I find
that it sometimes works, but it's better to control it with your diaphragm.
Good luck! -Abby

boglarka · Post by **boglarka** » Sun May 18, 2003 3:58 pm

Dear Lozzi, If you're not loug
enough, you're not playing with enough air and air pressure. It's that simple.
Breathe into your diaphragm (make sure your shoulders don't move at all), and
keep your stomach hard as you exhale. Practice long tones (hold one note as long
as you can--at least for 10 seconds). Learning to breathe correctly takes a long
time, and one needs a good model. Take a few lessons from a professional,
perhaps. Watch singers and windplayers (professionals). A word of caution: no
matter what dynamic level you're playing at, your air pressure has to stay the
same!!!! If you play with less pressure to be softer, your pitch will fall. Keep
at it!

strawberryfields · Post by **strawberryfields** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 2:47 pm

Hey! About playing, the word here is
support! Ie use of the diaphragm. It takes a while to master but once you do
your playing improve loads! About your tone on the third octave notes, my friend
had braces and had the sam problem as you. She manages fine now, all you need to
to do is do lots of tone exercises every day.Spend extra time on the third
octave notes. This is because your teeth are moving every day and you need to
keep adjusting. Good luck! Let us know how u get on[:bigsmile:]