Tips or Tricks for Hitting Low & High Notes

[collie]

Just wondering if any of you advanced flutists know of any tips or tricks for hitting notes on the opposite ends of the flute spectrum. I'm an intermediate level flutist. Last week in a rehearsal, someone gave me a tip for getting out first (low) octave C every time. I'm usually pretty good with low C, but occasionally when I need it, I either get a weak note or just air. (I'm always working on embouchure, air speed and direction, etc.) The tip I was shown last week was to finger low C (but do not put down the left ring finger). Smack the left ring finger down firmly just as you begin to play low C. You will really belt it out then! Works every time. We were all trying it in band and laughing like a group of hyenas over how easy it was!

Just wondering--do any of you advanced flutists know of any other tips or tricks to make playing the more difficult notes (especially the low and high notes) a little easier? There have to be other tricks out there! I was surprised that no one had ever shown me this tip before. Thank you!

[Chris Carr]

Are you using an open hole flute? Personally, my fingers don't splay very well, so when I go to hit low C, it'll pull my right ring finger slightly off of the tone hole. Finger the note, then take a look at your finger position and see how they're sitting.

[collie]

Thank you, Chris. I do have an open hole flute, but currently I have the plugs in it. I wanted to wait until I conquer my low and high note issues before going with the open holes. I know that is a matter of personal opinion. I'm almost there though. I never had problems play 4th octave C when I was in high school, but I do now without the gizmo key. Someone just told me that it is harder to hit 4th octave C with a B footjoint...so now I know what the problem is!

[Chris Carr]

Well, I definitely have a harder time hitting low C with my b-foot flute than my c-foot flute. I have to really pay attention to how I align the footjoint on the b-foot flute to make sure I can easily get to the low C without hitting the B.

[pied_piper]

Practice long tones descending to the low notes. That will help you center in on the lip position to get strong low notes.
Try that for a couple of weeks. If you still have problems getting the low notes to come out, get your flute checked by a flute technician. Many times, the difficulty with producing good low notes is caused by small leaks in the flute. You will never hit the low notes if your flute is leaking.