low c

[jac]

Hi I have just joined this site and am finding it really helpful reading all the posts, it makes me feel better seeing other people are having the same problems as I am learning the flute.

I started in May as a total beginner, I am 43 so I am a bit of a late starter
I am finding it a real struggle as I am also learning to read music for the first time in my life and its all greed to me!

However with the flute I am having the biggest problem with the lower notes especially lower c, I cant seem to even make a sound.

Any tips would be gratefully recieved

Many Thanks

[Bo]

Hi and welcome.
I posted this viewtopic.php?t=3339 some time ago, maybe you can find some useful tips. In the meantime, I am finding it easier without even knowing why... Practice I suppose....

[jac]

[quote="Bo"]Hi and welcome.
I posted this [url]viewtopic.php?t=3339[/url] some time ago, maybe you can find some useful tips. In the meantime, I am finding it easier without even knowing why... Practice I suppose.... [/quote]

Thanks

I try to practise every day, but can only manage about an hour before I feel totally out of breath, just wondered exactly how long it takes before you can confidentially pick up your flute and just play, if you know what I mean, sometimes I pick it up and blow and nothing comes out at all, things I could do fine one day I cant the next and its so frustrating. Is this normal or is it me!!

Thanks

[fluttiegurl]

I teach adult beginners in my studio, and this is the same question they all ask at some point. The truth is, everyone is different. I understand that adults generally don't have time to practice hours a day and do not have the opportunity to play in band every day.

The best things you can do is keep your rehearsal times consistent. Try for the same time every day, and if you do have to take a day off, at least try to make a sound with the headjoint, maybe before bed or something like that.

As for low notes, there are several things you can do to help. First, make absolute sure your flute does not have a leak. If it does, low notes will be virtually impossible. Also make sure you are holding the keys down properly. Sometimes, with the low C, I have seen students allow the E-flat key (pinkey key you usually use) pushed down slightly causing a leak. And obviously, make sure you are using correct fingerings. A good fingering chart will help.

As for making sound, I have beginners of all ages play on the headjoint every day before putting the flute together for as long as a month. This insures that the proper muscle memory and placement is happening before adding the stress of remembering fingers. Remember that the air direction changes for all octaves. This is one of my favorite article I share with students is: http://www.jennifercluff.com/tone2.htm#angle. Also make sure you are not covering too much of the tone hole.

If you are serious about learning, the best thing you can do for yourself is invest in a teacher, if you have not done so. None of it is as easy as it seems and a teacher, even if for a short time, will be able to help you move along faster and with more confidence. Good luck and welcome to the board!

[jac]

Hi Thanks so much for that.

That article is really helpful.

I think your right about covering the e flat key slightly as well as I do struggle to reach the bottom c key as only have small hands. It has made me think about where my fingers are before i actually try to blow the note which helps.

I do have a lseeson for one hour every fortnight., which i expect is not enough but to be honest all i can afford at the mo, but they do help me such a lot.

I do try to practise an hour every night, and will continue to do so.

Thanks again

Jac

[Kleynan]

I too had problems reaching the low C at first, not because of my hands being small (my hands are quite huge i guess.. ) but my embouchure at the time just seemed to get very airy on Low notes. So i "fixed" it by directing my air stream more into the flute whenever I play low notes... This is probably not very good advice, in general you should have a good embouchure at all times that allows you to play all notes, but im self-taught so far and this worked for me, so it might work for you too!

Basically, move your jaw to direct the air stream more into the flute, or "aim" just below the opposite side of the embouchure hole. Hope it helps

[jac]

Thanks for that, I will certainly give it a try, as n othing else I try seems to work
I'll let you know how I go

Jac

[flutepower]

Hey Jac,

Welcome to fluteland! I actually have just began playing flute since December 2009. I am doing quit good, actually, and am teaching myself.
I already play some songs on the intermediate level, but still have a lot to learn. I give ALL the credit to the book "How to PLay the Flute" by Howard Harrison. It teaches you the three octaves, and how to hold the flute correctly, as well as a lot of notes! Every beginner must have this book!
~Melissa

[jac]

Wow you have done well, I have been playing since June last year and still feel like an absolute beginer, and thats with a flute teacher!!

I sometimes think that at 44 I am to old to try something this new, I have never done anything musical before and couldn't even read a note of music when I started, I am getting there a bit but there is such a lot to learn.

However I do enjoy it and will stick to it.

I will have a look and see if I can order that book as I need all the help I can get

Thanks a lot

Jac

[m3the01]

Hey don't be so hard on urself. Ur learning to read music, and the flute.


Practice really does make perfect, u wouldn't believe where ur at in a year.

One big point of advice I can give is u must realize that we all have good days playing and bad. There are a couple opinions on if u should really play when ur having a bad playing day after 10-15 minutes. My thought have always been to continue my 2-4 hr practice sessions, cause u never really know where or what ur going to need to play some day and it may be an off night. I find near the end Of the practice session I feel great knowing I successfully made it through a bad pracice day,

last but not least, please respect a proper warmup. Start off on :A: and try long tones and variations of the note. This gets u in tune. Moving on to some perfect fifth exercise really warms the mouth up. Then reach to that third octave.

Good luck,

ps overall I have about 7-8 years of instructed exerience, just taking the flute up again last sept. 2009, after a 12 year or so grace period. I've surpassed my previos playing ability. However, for the life of me some days I can't blow an E4 or F4, and somedays it's a joke and easy. It use to bother me, but now I just accept it. Lol

[jac]

You make me feel so much better, but how do you find so much time to practise??

I practise fo 1 hour a day, and I have to really be stern with myself to get that time, I have one lesson with a proffesional teacher once a fortnight, and I have just joined a auxillary flute choir which I really enjoy.

What i am aiming for ans what would make me feel that i had suceeded as a flute player is to just pick my flute up and the right sound comes out!!

Sometimes it does and I think i have cracked and and then I try again with exactly the same scale and the notes just sound pathetic and airy!

You have inspired me tho

and I will keep ati it

Thanks

[m3the01]

Its impossible for me to just pickup the flute and start playing really well in an instance if i havent played in the last day. I really need about 10 minutes to warm up to get the tones and such that i want.

However, if say i practice at 10am till say noon. Take a few hours off and grab the flute at say 6pm i can usually just play.

Everyone is different, i think the absolute most talented flutists ive seen have been in south america. Amazing guys, play flamenco, salsa, jazz on yamaha 221's. They are not that good at the lower octave, but have tons of skill.

As for having so much time to practice, i have a very different work ethic and have the ability to stay home a lot, actually most of the week, visiting the office seldom. As long as my work is done, which actually usually exceeds expectations, all is well with my supervisor. Very lucky!!!

[flutepower]

Hey jac,

I actually have a VERY tight schedule, and I can only play the flute
one hour each day. Since their are no teachers or courses in my
school, I teach myself with a friend. I suggest making your hour fun.
Find some really fun beginner songs, or find some other beginner flute player to play with you for that hour. Two beginners together for an hour
can make it really challenging - and fun!!! Competition does work, in
a way.
Don't Give Up!!!
~Melissa

[jac]

Thanks melissa

I had my lesson today and my tutor gave me some peices to practise to a cd backing, which I really enjoyed so will be working on those now.

I wont give up, as its something I have wanted to do for many years and have only now got the chance to spend the time on me doing something that I want.

Guess anything worthwhile take some working on hey!

Thanks again

Jac

[Mindermast]

I have started taking lessons about half a year ago, and I still have trouble with the low C as well. But I noticed, that it becomes better slowly. While I am sure, that it would be possible to put all important information into a short description, it still takes a lot of time for a learner, to put all this info into action. I am getting new helpful advise every few weeks, and then I have another few weeks to incorporate that into my playing. Getting all this advise right away would probably take me months, if not years, to use it well. Furthermore, a teacher can only tell you which "controls" you can use, but you have to find out, how to apply this to your own body. This is very time consuming!

I have to say, flute playing seems to have a pretty tough learning curve, since you need to be able to produce proper sounds at all before starting to play music. But then, take a fairly simple piano piece, lets say "Für Elise", and try to find a nice beginner's recording on youtube - you probably won't (family and friends don't count!). Other instruments have their own horrible challenges and only patience and persistance can help (and a good teacher of course).