Trouble with high notes!

George · Post by **George** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:25 am

Hello everyone, I've been having trouble producing good sounding high notes on my flute, particularly B flat and A flat (the ones that appear on their own line above the staff, the book I'm practicing from does not denote them through any other marking). The notes I produce for these two notes sound very shrill, and I end up using a lot of air to produce them. Are they supposed to sound like this, or am I doing something wrong?

Tarandros · Post by **Tarandros** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:16 pm

I've got to start off by saying I don't think I've got a clear answer to this. For me, top A flat and B flat have never been a particular problem - top A natural and even more so of course, top B natural are usually much more problematic, so what I would say is you've got an unusual difficulty here, to my way of thinking. Therefore, I'm just wondering, could it by any chance be your flute? Have you tried the problem notes on another instrument? If they're easier on another flute, then chances are, there could be a regulation problem with your flute, or maybe you could do with a different headjoint.. Otherwiise, I have to say, I really don't know wha't's going on! Kind regards, T.

George · Post by **George** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:59 am

Thanks for the suggestion, I will try the same notes on a friend's flute, and see what I can manage. Hopefully, it is just a matter of practice, and getting my embouchure correct.

MathWizard · Post by **MathWizard** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 2:38 pm

While air has something to do with getting the high notes, it's not the most important thing. The one thing you want to do is adjust your embouchure. Too many times are flute players just trying to blow harder to get higher notes out and this is probably the worst way to do it because it will make you sound airy and you will probably have a lot of breaks in the sound and you will probably go sharp.

What I would suggest doing is working with maybe going from a Bb in the middle of the staff, and going to the Bb two spaces above the staff, without getting louder or blowing harder. You do this by tightening your lips slightly, and this won't come overnight, so don't feel band.

Once you got that down, I would then suggest gradually working up to those very high notes, except you will have to change fingerings.

George · Post by **George** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:15 pm

Thanks for the suggestions! I have been practicing the high notes I was having difficulty with, and I'm starting to get the embouchure I need to get the sound without a lot of air.

Bo · Post by Bo » Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:20 am

I only manage to play up to B6. I am practicing C7, but it still doesn't come out right... Not even on my new flute...

Arianna · Post by **Arianna** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:58 pm

Here are a couple of hints:
Practice octaves (lower A to the A above the staff) several times in a row. When you play the higher note go down into a squat. This will ensure that you are using proper ab support. Do that several times (lower note=stand and higher note=squat).
Also, practicing on a Pilates exercise ball can help you use more core ab muscles when playing.
A workshop I attended with Patricia George mentioned that for low notes your embouchure will form like you are saying "see". Then middle range will be more like "sue" and high range will be more like "pooh". I also find that the higher I go the higher my air stream will be aimed.
I imagine there are a ton of different ideas on how to teach high notes, so just take this as one. Try and see what works for you

Bo · Post by Bo » Sat Oct 24, 2009 2:40 pm

Yes, good advice!

Bo