low notes and tone

zephyrr · Post by **zephyrr** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:10 am

Hey everyone it's me again. I just wanna ask how to improve tone, especially those low notes. I've tried many tone studies and even long notes, but the improvement in tone is almost negligible. And also, when I finally get a fairly strong tone on the low notes, my volume becomes real soft. I do use my diaphragm muscles and open throat, but somehow my tone is just stuck at this position! I'm desperate. =( I've been playing for 2 years now, and I've always tried to practise at least 3 hours everyday from day one, but my improvement seems to always lag behind my peers. It's healthy competition, but sometimes it can be quite discouraging.

Also, I'd like to ask how do you memorise minor scales and dominant seventh scales? I can play them by ear, but I can't name them by notes!

Thanks for your help! =)

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:17 am

Does your flute have any leaks? This can impair response. Without seeing/hearing you play, it's hard to offer more than very general suggestions. Which tone studies are you using? Some that descend chromatically, with no skips between notes, will help you gradually ease down to low C or B. Trevor Wye and Moyse are good. Keep the tone hole about 2/3 uncovered, use the center of your upper lip to change air direction, be sure your lip muscles stay relaxed, and allow the air to open your lips (think "poo" articulation). Try slowly descending from maybe third-line B, in half or whole notes (B-B-flat, B-flat-A, A-A-flat, A-flat-G, etc.) listening carefully to each note's tone. If you suddenly don't like the sound of one of the notes, go back up to the last note you think has the best tone and begin to work down again. Playing even one octave in this manner, really listening to each pitch (maybe also use a tuner), repeating notes which need improvement, can take a long time---20-30 minutes sometimes.

BUT, we can really determine the point in our range that starts getting funky and prevents us from playing smoothly into the lowest notes. P.S. Can you WRITE the scales?

kodalyflutist · Post by **kodalyflutist** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:58 am

I've tried many tone studies and even long notes, but the improvement in tone is almost negligible.

Can you give us an idea of *exactly* what you are doing when you work on low register tone? (Name of book or exactly how you practice them, amount of time spent in a single practice session specifically on low register tone, how many days per week on tone, which notes get weak and is it always on the same pitch?) I agree with MeLizzard; be sure that your flute is in proper adjustment. Do you have a private teacher? Have your local flute expert assess the instrument: maybe it is just not a great flute. But certainly, evaluate all possibilities in addition to assessing the capabilities of your flute.

Caroline_Fluter · Post by **Caroline_Fluter** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 3:18 pm

Something also might be a tiny bit off with your cork... my little sister attacked my flute a few years ago (:evil:) and twisted the cork around to a position it shouldn't have been in. After that, my low register felt really screwed up, but i finally figured it out and fixed it and it was fine again.

---caroline