what is you biggest struggle?

flutytooty91 · Post by **flutytooty91** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:11 am

I think my largest struggle is getting a pure tone on the high notes and being afraid to mess up ...which causes me to mess up. and how do I get a pure tone on the high notes. I know that the ombasure must be smaller...but how do you do that. Also, what do you guys struggle with and what are your strong points?

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:26 am

Actually, I struggle with the same things that you wrote. When I play flute with my friend (who's also a flute player), I have a lot more confidence and I can reach high notes with a good tone. But when I'm alone, I feel a bit uneasy so my tone sounds easy and I mess up...

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:10 pm

You must relax and stay open (keep your jaw open as well as your throat), and be sure not to tense your embouchure. You really don't need a smaller embouchure. You should have the ability to form a very compact airstream. A faster airstream, directed upwards more is how you should be hitting the higher notes. After that it's just a matter of practice (you can do tone exercises in the 3rd and 4th octaves as well!), and eventually you'll learn to keep a nice full, open sound.

Band_Geek · Post by **Band_Geek** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:17 pm

Its not really a struggle, but currently Im focusing on adding tone color to my sound. Also, Im struggling on playing my music an octave higher just so learning the 3rd and 4th octave fingerings become more natural like the 1st and 2nd.

suckmykiss · Post by **suckmykiss** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 6:34 am

My biggest struggle is feeling like I'm not progressing as much as I would have wanted. Sometimes I feel like I'm practising correctly and so much yet nothing is coming out of it =( Oh well I'm so used to it! Yeah and I have that high notes confidence problem too. My high notes come out easily and sounds strong and open but I keep thinking they sound too shrill. I record my playing sometimes and I think my high notes sound too open that's why.. My throat and mouth are open, everything's relax not tensed except for diaphragm.. Anyone got tips on how to make high notes sound sweeter?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 8:11 am

suckmykiss wrote:My biggest struggle is feeling like I'm not progressing as much as I would have wanted. Sometimes I feel like I'm practising correctly and so much yet nothing is coming out of it =( Oh well I'm so used to it! Yeah and I have that high notes confidence problem too. My high notes come out easily and sounds strong and open but I keep thinking they sound too shrill. I record my playing sometimes and I think my high notes sound too open that's why.. My throat and mouth are open, everything's relax not tensed except for diaphragm.. Anyone got tips on how to make high notes sound sweeter?

It sounds like you've got the right idea. Since we can't observe you playing, it's really impossible to give any specific advice. If you like the sound of your lower register, work to match the tone from the low and middle registers with the upper register. You may also experiment with new flutes or headjoints, as the instrument may be preventing the sound that you want. However, openness is very important to good high notes, and you seem to have that. If you're not already, working with a professional teacher could very well give you a major jumpstart, so you feel like you're accomplishing more, and help with those high notes.

auwon · Post by **auwon** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 4:05 pm

i think my biggest struggle right now is my breath control/range. i just can't seem to play more than a few measures without having to stop for air! i'm hoping that long tone exercises and relying more on my embouchure to support me in the high/low registers will help some. i'm also seeking out that little breathing instrument with the ping ping ball. has anyone else found it useful?

my instructor suggested when going up in the high register to kind of "pout" the lips a little more (try pushing your bottom lip out a bit) and to drop your jaw...kind of hard to do both at once but it works! also, keep your upper body/shoulders/neck relaxed...it will do wonders for your playing! don't rely so much on pushing as much air as you can through the flute to produce the high notes but more on your embouchure to pull the notes out, if that makes sense. =) i hope this helps and doesn't sound confusing.

squints · Post by **squints** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 12:44 pm

My biggest struggle is practicing. I tend to switch to differnt instruments for no real reason other than whim.

flutendrum57 · Post by **flutendrum57** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:33 pm

Just one thing: it's all about the pyschology for me, especially preparing for a lesson/audition. But once I put the flute to my lips, everything's cool.

sherbert789 · Post by **sherbert789** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:50 pm

I think my biggest struggle is getting myself to stand up and get my flute out. Once I get it out and start playing everything is great, but sometimes it's hard to just get myself going!

concertino · Post by **concertino** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:03 pm

My biggest struggle is Low C to E fast, because the d# key is really stiff.
My advice: never buy a Gemeinhardt 2sp!
I can't wait for my new Brannen, but unfortunately I have to wait until April

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:28 pm

concertino wrote:My biggest struggle is Low C to E fast, because the d# key is really stiff.
My advice: never buy a Gemeinhardt 2sp!
I can't wait for my new Brannen, but unfortunately I have to wait until April

Gemeinhardts are fine student and intermediate instruments. If your D# key is causing problems, a tech can almost certainly put it right very easily. most likely it's an issue of lubrication or excess spring tension.

drumajorchick · Post by **drumajorchick** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 8:48 am

My greatest struggle is that I tend to rush the slower pieces. I really cant help it sometimes. I get into the music so much that I just have at it. What can I say I love to play. I am not as bad as I use to be though. But that is my biggest struggle.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:53 am

Concertino-- Congrats on your new Brannen! Even though I know it seems like it will never come, it will definately be worth the wait! My most recent teacher plays a Brannen and she loves them.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:56 am

Drumajorchick--- a metronome could really help with that problem. Also, it would help to think that if you concentrate on making the music as beautiful as possible, so using as much expression as you can would probably help as well. I know I sometimes tend to rush things, but it is usually on a piece when it is already Allegro/ vivace/ presto. But, I guess I just like playing/listening to REALLY REALLY fast runs. So, now that my juries are coming up, and the university concerto competition, I am having to slow some things down.

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what is you biggest struggle?

what is you biggest struggle?

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