How to "break-in" a flute of another model?

Exeneva · Post by **Exeneva** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:17 pm

I have recently started marching band, and I purchased a used flute for marching; I use a Yamaha Allegro for Concert Band and an Armstrong for Marching Band. However, I'm still not "used" to playing the Armstrong, and it is insanely hard for me to play my marching band flute. On my Yamaha Allegro I can play fine, like it's a tamed animal, but my Armstrong is outta control; whenever I try to play a note sometimes the note produces and sometimes it doesn't.

The flute was checked just a couple of weeks ago, and my Armstrong hasn't been dropped or damaged in any way; does anyone know how to "break-in" an Armstrong flute?

Thanks,

Yang

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:32 pm

Assuming it's a metal flute (which any Armstrong should be), there should be no need to break it in. Practice is the key here. Though it's only a marching instrument, you have to play it to get used to it. You may be having trouble going back and forth between the different headjoints, but practice doing so enough, and it will cease to be a problem (you might even consider putting the Yamaha head on the Armstrong if it fits so that you bypass this problem). Also, wind can keep you from playing if you're outside, so if it's been particularly windy where you live, that could be why the notes don't always sound.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:36 am

Being a person that owns many different flute, here are a few pointers.

1. Treat every instrumetn like a new instrument.
every instrument has a "sweet spot". The only thing you can do is play on it and figure out what it is. Then you just get use to setting up instrument how you like. You will find that not all flutes play well with everything setup the same.

2. Rotate between your instruments.
Always try to rotate between your instruments. If you practice an hour a day, at least take 10 minutes to play your other flute.

3. Warm up routine.
I general do a 15 to 30 minute warmup before a performance. This gives me a chance to get the instrument warm, and adjusted.

4. Try swapping headjoints.
This is a good trick when you are having trouble with at particular instrument. A lot of instrument heajoints are interchangable with others. Maybe you can put your Yamaha Head Joint in your Armstrong it might work.

5. Keep in mind that the mechanisims are different.
Every instrument has its own limitations. All you can do is learn how to exploit them. For example, you may not be able to play some passages as smoothly on one instrument as the other, however the stiffer instrument may have better projection. One headjoint may have more dynamic range than the other.

Hope this helps

Phineas

briolette · Post by **briolette** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:05 am

It'll get easier with time. It's interesting that you ended up purchasing a flute for marching...when I was in school the tendancy was to upgrade the flute for concert purposes. Hence, the marching instruemnt was the one most flautists were used to. I'm kind of old though, so I'm not sure what current trends are.

I agree with the posts above that switching instruments will help. I'll also add:

-While practicing with your marching instrument on your own time, hold it perfectly parallel to the ground as you would when you're marching. I'm assuming your band director has you in a very erect and square position while on the field which could also contribute to why you are having difficulty playing while outdoors.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:17 pm

In addition to Briolette's suggestion, do not allow this stance to become your default. In other words, don't transfer it over to practicing concert music, as it really is not a natural position for flute playing, and can affect breathing (and thus tone), as well as finger facility (by introducing unnecessary stress into the arms/hands), which likely is not a huge deal for marching music (though if at all possible you should learn to play just as if you were in a concert group while marching), but will cause problems for concert music.

briolette · Post by **briolette** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:08 pm

That's a very good point flutepic06.

The marching stance is very unnatural (and uncomfortable) and it is possible to suddenly acquire that as your default posture as that is what happened to me when I was in highschool since my band director was very strict about haveing a very square stance on the field. Once you get used to your marching instrument, don't practice with marching stance excessively. It does eventually cause stress on your wrists--especially the left wrist and back. The ramrod straight posture also looks kinda silly on stage in my opinion as well. .

I do like Phineas suggestion of using the same headjoint on and off the field. That will certainly make it easier since your lips will sort of "remember" your usual embouchure while marching. However, if your concert instrument is very nice, I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable taking that outside. I still have a dent in my old marching instrument when a color guard member accidentally whacked it with a sabre.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:38 pm

I actually suggested the headjoint thing first, but it should not be a big problem. The Allegro Series, while certainly nicer than some flutes out there is by no means a hand made, irreplaceable instrument, and does not have a handcut head or anything. Of course, I'm not the one who would be responsible if it got damaged, so Exeneva, depending on how comfortable you are with the whole idea, you may or may not want to do this.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:44 pm

yeah... I would really hesitate with swapping headjoints...... I would never swap my headjoints on my flutes or piccs (but that is mostly because I have a really bad piccolo, and then a wooden picc that is wonderful *the headjoints are both double barreled so they are interchangeable*, and I dont want to risk my only good flute headjoint getting damaged).

But it is your decision........

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:59 pm

If a player can't afford to go out today and buy another one, whatever the brand or model, then it's irreplaceable. One of my students is experiencing this problem as we speak (just that time of year, I guess), and commented that, based on the clutziness of her band's guard, there's no way she'd take any part of her better flute outdoors anytime soon. Is it possible to locate a student Yamaha (200 series), or maybe a student Yamaha head from a music store, if you'll use it beyond this season?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:13 pm

If you want a student Yamaha head (or any other part of one), they come up pretty often on eBay. I would keep an eye out there.

Exeneva · Post by **Exeneva** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:12 pm

Thanks guys

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:04 am

No problem!

Good luck!