I have a new student that absolutely LOVES playing flute and is constantly trying to learn new music, but she is stuck at last chair because she is always flat (I don't think this is going to be too hard to fix, she never pushes her head joint in for enough haha) and because she has an airy sound. Actually, some notes sound great, but higher notes (above staff G) she gets a very airy tone unless she plays ffffffff .... her band director calls her the "power section" in the flutes.
I have tried teaching her how to play softly on higher notes, but they always come out very airy, or not at all. I've never had difficulty teaching this before, so running into this wall is quite frustrating. Any suggestions?? She is african american (she constantly says "its just my big, beautiful lips getting in the way again" haha), but she can produce a nice tone on the lower octave... help?
Lessons - bad tone
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wsFltePicmb09
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- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:42 am
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I'm assuming you've checked the flute for leaks. Here are a few suggestions just in case you haven't tried them.
My first guess is that her air speed isn't fast enough. A good thing to try for this is harmonics. (Ex. Finger C1, play C1, C2, G2, C3, E3, G3 - I think) Once she's got good air speed then maybe the dynamics will be easier. (i.e. keep the air speed the same, but use a smaller embouchure so that there is a smaller amount of air)
As for the poor tone in the high register, are her embouchure and mouth too tight? Dropping the jaw may help the tone. Otherwise for long tones/slow pieces, start with where her tone is good and slowly work on getting the notes just above the good ones to sound better.
Another thing to check: Is the flute rolled too far in or too far out? This could also create problems
My first guess is that her air speed isn't fast enough. A good thing to try for this is harmonics. (Ex. Finger C1, play C1, C2, G2, C3, E3, G3 - I think) Once she's got good air speed then maybe the dynamics will be easier. (i.e. keep the air speed the same, but use a smaller embouchure so that there is a smaller amount of air)
As for the poor tone in the high register, are her embouchure and mouth too tight? Dropping the jaw may help the tone. Otherwise for long tones/slow pieces, start with where her tone is good and slowly work on getting the notes just above the good ones to sound better.
Another thing to check: Is the flute rolled too far in or too far out? This could also create problems
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wsFltePicmb09
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:42 am
- Contact:
the flute plays fine... I have played it on several occasions just in case
it sounds like she is using way to much air, but when I tell her to use a smaller appachure and/or to puch her chin out just a bit the note usually doesnt come out or sounds very bad
in case it does tie in to air support, etc. I have her doing breathing exercises every night to help with her air support as well as air volume.
I havent tried harmonics... I might work with her on them during her next lesson... that just might help
thanks =]
it sounds like she is using way to much air, but when I tell her to use a smaller appachure and/or to puch her chin out just a bit the note usually doesnt come out or sounds very bad
in case it does tie in to air support, etc. I have her doing breathing exercises every night to help with her air support as well as air volume.
I havent tried harmonics... I might work with her on them during her next lesson... that just might help
thanks =]