Pressing the flute against the lower lip?

[sinebar]

How hard should the flute press against the lower lip? If it presses too hard can this effect playing?

[kodalyflutist]

Hi sinebar,

It needs to be snug, but too tight is a possibility and can affect the playing result.

The left hand can become too tense and hinder facility. It is also possible to create a tender spot on the left hand by pressing too much.

The lip can also be compromised with too much pressure and become somewhat inflexible. This is more likely to happen if the player is young and hasn't established an embouchure where the lip covers the hole (rather than vice-versa, which is often the case). You don't want the lip plate hindering the movement of the lower lip, and putting it too high on the lip and pressing too hard will indeed give this result.

Galway advocates pressing quite hard with the left hand to create a very snug feeling against the chin. In masterclass I have seen him ask students to press the flute on the chin firmly enough that if another person tries to pull the flute away, it is not possible. I don't advocate a position this firm, but I'm a woman. It's possible that a man might use a different amount of strength with less effort. Also, Galway wears a beard, which creates a bit of slippage of the lip plate on the face. This was discussed in another thread recently. Perhaps he advocates a tighter hold for this very reason. Sometimes when the face is clean-shaven and dry, the flute actually 'sticks' on the skin and less pressure may be needed. Even so, as a woman, I like a little lip balm to allow the lip plate to slide to the 'just right' spot quickly and easily. I press firmly enough that I need the lip balm to help the flute slide smoothly to the spot that feels right. If I only very lighly placed the flute on my face, then I think the lip balm would not be needed. However, a certain amount of pressure is definitely called for. The force of the left hand is counter-balanced by the chin and the right thumb - so the final result is one of balance rather than force or strength. These three support/balance spots allow the player to be free and facile with the other fingers and the embouchure.

Best, Ann

[Hoshi_Flute]

How hard should the flute press against the lower lip? If it presses too hard can this effect playing?

Just enough for you to feel secure, but aiming for a relaxed holding posture. With too much tension, you can lose flexibility in control and available tone colours. But relaxation can be overdone as well! I find that if I visualise a relaxed posture (regarding the lower lip) my tone truly sings in a way that it does not have the freedom to do otherwise.

If you are not comfortable holding your flute, and C# to D is a good way to check this, you might press harder than necessary. This may not be your situation at all, but I will suggest in case it is helpful: perhaps the way you put your flute together is affecting how hard you think you need to press against the lower lip? Especially if you have been taught that the embouchure hole must only be "perfectly centered" to the keys. If a player feels awkward holding the flute, sometimes he will compensate by pressing harder against the lower lip. Oftentimes a minor adjustment in the headjoint's alignment will do wonders.

[kodalyflutist]

If you are not comfortable holding your flute, and C# to D is a good way to check this, you might press harder than necessary. This may not be your situation at all, but I will suggest in case it is helpful: perhaps the way you put your flute together is affecting how hard you think you need to press against the lower lip? Especially if you have been taught that the embouchure hole must only be "perfectly centered" to the keys. If a player feels awkward holding the flute, sometimes he will compensate by pressing harder against the lower lip. Oftentimes a minor adjustment in the headjoint's alignment will do wonders.

To add to Hoshi_Flute's comment - if when playing C#-D you find that the balance of the flute seems off and rolls toward you - try assembling the flute by moving the embouchure hole a little bit toward your face (toward the long rod on the body). The heaviest part of the flute mechanism is near the rod. I often find that student flutists do the opposite with assembling (if not 'in-line' with the keys, then the embouchure hole is forward - away from the rod), therefore the flute wants to roll off-balance toward you because the rod - the heaviest part - is quite a bit behind the flute while playing rather than more on top as you hold it. Then the flutist will compensate by holding with the other fingers or pressing harder. This is where a good private teacher is very helpful! But as Hoshi_Flute said, try the C#-D, and even try the C# with no fingers down - this will really tell you if your RH thumb, LH and lip are doing the balancing job they are supposed to do. If the flute rolls toward you, try adjusting your RH thumb position by pulling it back and if that isn't enough, then perhaps readjusting the assembly alignment.

[andy957]

I have a beard (goatee to be more precise). I know there are plenty of flute players in the world who have the same (Galway!) but I'm wondering if part of the problems I'm having in producing ANY sound sometimes (I'm a beginner) are due to having a beard. Any advice/experience?

[Iolaus]

I have a beard (goatee to be more precise). I know there are plenty of flute players in the world who have the same (Galway!) but I'm wondering if part of the problems I'm having in producing ANY sound sometimes (I'm a beginner) are due to having a beard. Any advice/experience?

I'd say the problem is more likely your experience than your beard. As you say, lots of us (including me) have beards; it doesn't seem to be a factor. Practice and a developed embouchure should solve that problem.

[andy957]

<I'd say the problem is more likely your experience than your beard. As you say, lots of us (including me) have beards; it doesn't seem to be a factor. Practice and a developed embouchure should solve that problem.

<WHEW> I thought I'd have to shave off my trademark goatee Thanks for confirming what I thought was the situation. Cheers.