I don't know if "Proper Flute Playing" is the companion or not. My understanding was that the omnibus was supposed to be started after one year of training.
When I heard that teacher say to use a dollar bill I was ready to run out of there and not come back. She wanted a commitment but I wouldn't give it. I think she is used to using those kinds of things like "teach you how to clean your flute" with all her students, since most of them are probably elementary and middle school level.
Oh, I only use the cigarette paper to clean the pads. To clean the flute after use I also use a micro-fiber cloth to wipe the outside and I use these other cotton type clothes I got from fluteworld to clean the inside.
ABRSM
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Oops. This is one problem about not having a teacher. I really didn't know that, but I was really frustrated at all the other basic flute books out there. I haven't found a copy of Moyse, nor the double named classic. Coming to think of it - you're right. I was wondering how on earth the Omnibus was supposed to be mastered by someone with 1 month's experience with flute. I find the exercises really hard!Fox wrote:I don't know if "Proper Flute Playing" is the companion or not. My understanding was that the omnibus was supposed to be started after one year of training.
Lol. If I was in elementary or middle school grade, cleaning my flute would be the last thing that bothered me. I've never cleaned my pads before. Is this important to do?
Fluteworld looks really good. Have you any experience with Prowinds? I like family run businesses better than big businesses and am thinking of buying my next flute from there.
I just saw your Youtube uploads of Sur le pont d'Avignon and the others. You have a much sweeter tone than me. I don't have that book either, and I'm still struggling to get purity of the second and third octaves when playing. Most of the pieces I've started playing, I have never ever heard of so I have no idea if I sound completely off kilter. Your microphone is really clear too. My mobile phone can't record as well as that.
Oh don't worry - I did the same thing. I started with the omnibus from the beginning. I've slowly learned how to use it with the beginner's book. I'm now doing exercises in each section of the omnibus. I try and keep all the stuff I'm practicing in line with what I'm working on in the beginners book. So right now I can play notes in the third octave but am holding off till I get to it in the beginners book.
I only clean the pads when they start making sticky sounds. Otherwise I just clean the flute inside and out.
What kind of flute are you planning on getting next?
And thanks. A couple people have commented that they can hear a HUGE difference from my first video and the latest one I posted. The first two are pre-teacher and the last one is after going to a teacher a couple times.
I only clean the pads when they start making sticky sounds. Otherwise I just clean the flute inside and out.
What kind of flute are you planning on getting next?
And thanks. A couple people have commented that they can hear a HUGE difference from my first video and the latest one I posted. The first two are pre-teacher and the last one is after going to a teacher a couple times.
That's pretty cool - have you got any repertoire spanning 3 octaves up on youtube yet? 
A few weeks ago, I hired an alto flute out. I really love the sound of the alto flute. The looseness of the embouchure and the tones I was making really made me enjoy living every day, waiting to get it out to play. It wasn't very hard adapting to it - bear in mind I've never been taught to play C concert flute either - the transition isn't as difficult as I had imagined and the normal limits of playing a heavier instrument apply.
Maybe it's me, but I find the C concert flute earpiercing/ shrieking from the D above the upper ledger lines. I love the alto flute sound; it has a richness which is really special. Although its sound is not very penetrating, it suits me better. I like the low down pitch timbres. In contrast to my current flute, I found it 'harder' to overblow in the alto flute. For example - with my C concert flute, I can get 3 different sounds for the basic low octave E fingering without splitting notes. The highest pitch sound shouldn't be there! I still have huge imprecisions in my embouchure.
I've been looking around at different flute brands and feedback - Pearl, Jupiter Dimedici, Sonare. I've tried the Trevor James Performer and Recital series - I can't afford the Recital series (a no-brainer for someone who can just about play Haydn's Surprise Symphony). The Performer series is good, but after being spoilt playing higher end ones, I notice it lacks penetration. it is low on volume compared to cheaper unbranded college flutes. I'm saving up for a Dimedici 1319SE series flute this Christmas. Maybe I'll get there quicker since I won't be paying for lessons
When I do, I won't be playing C concert flute anymore!
Anyway - thanks for showing your Youtube clips. It's great to see that progress is possible!
A few weeks ago, I hired an alto flute out. I really love the sound of the alto flute. The looseness of the embouchure and the tones I was making really made me enjoy living every day, waiting to get it out to play. It wasn't very hard adapting to it - bear in mind I've never been taught to play C concert flute either - the transition isn't as difficult as I had imagined and the normal limits of playing a heavier instrument apply.
Maybe it's me, but I find the C concert flute earpiercing/ shrieking from the D above the upper ledger lines. I love the alto flute sound; it has a richness which is really special. Although its sound is not very penetrating, it suits me better. I like the low down pitch timbres. In contrast to my current flute, I found it 'harder' to overblow in the alto flute. For example - with my C concert flute, I can get 3 different sounds for the basic low octave E fingering without splitting notes. The highest pitch sound shouldn't be there! I still have huge imprecisions in my embouchure.
I've been looking around at different flute brands and feedback - Pearl, Jupiter Dimedici, Sonare. I've tried the Trevor James Performer and Recital series - I can't afford the Recital series (a no-brainer for someone who can just about play Haydn's Surprise Symphony). The Performer series is good, but after being spoilt playing higher end ones, I notice it lacks penetration. it is low on volume compared to cheaper unbranded college flutes. I'm saving up for a Dimedici 1319SE series flute this Christmas. Maybe I'll get there quicker since I won't be paying for lessons
When I do, I won't be playing C concert flute anymore!
Anyway - thanks for showing your Youtube clips. It's great to see that progress is possible!
Dsharp is plentyFox wrote:No I have not gone into the 3rd octave yet. I am up to D# so far, so I got a little bit more to go.
Wow, you sure like the alto flute. I'm going to have to see if I can find one and try it out. I was planning on getting a thick wall C flute. I tend to like the lower bass sounds on flute.
Any further up - it's not all it's cracked up to be! I can tolerate the E/F above the 3rd D ... and then my eardrums really hurt. Today I ended up practicing with earplugs. No idea what I was playing lol. The upper G (no thumb - 3xLeft Hand fingers) is really taxing me (and my neighbours).
If you like the lower bass end of the flute, I'd definitely say get your hands on one to try it out! I was a bit naughty and hired one for a week, just to learn how to play a few tunes, and then took a 150mile journey to the city flute store and ravaged their demo alto flutes all day. They even had sightreading music to play with - definitely one of the most enjoyable days out in the city I've had!
Here's one sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tet3Z8nkOk
Mellow or what?!
Will a thick wall flute make a bigger difference to tone than a solid head, or having a B foot joint?
Lol poor cat.
I know mine has his ears twitch all over the place and then he gets restless and starts walking all over me as if to tell me to stop.
Today I actually hit top G. Well, not very well. It was rather painful. I think I have industrial deafness after getting the highest octave on the flute now.
Most people like 'easy listening music'. I seem to be specialising in 'hard listening music'. I am incredibly hard to listen to. I wish I could find a natural embouchure pathway to channel air without splitting notes.
Can't wait to get a new alto flute. I'm still waiting...
I know mine has his ears twitch all over the place and then he gets restless and starts walking all over me as if to tell me to stop.
Today I actually hit top G. Well, not very well. It was rather painful. I think I have industrial deafness after getting the highest octave on the flute now.
Most people like 'easy listening music'. I seem to be specialising in 'hard listening music'. I am incredibly hard to listen to. I wish I could find a natural embouchure pathway to channel air without splitting notes.
Can't wait to get a new alto flute. I'm still waiting...
I'm still working on my embouchure. I generally get a good one, but there is this elusive one that improves my tone exponentially, but I can't seem to figure where it is - I usually just happen on it by accident. Oh and my teacher seems to know where it is. He'll make minor adjustments and BAM I got it. I try and memorize how it feels but no luck.
The sweet spot of my basic student flute is supposed to be 'free-blowing'. The thing is ... when I move up a notch to a more intermediate flute, I find it much nicer in general.Fox wrote:I'm still working on my embouchure. I generally get a good one, but there is this elusive one that improves my tone exponentially, but I can't seem to figure where it is - I usually just happen on it by accident. Oh and my teacher seems to know where it is. He'll make minor adjustments and BAM I got it. I try and memorize how it feels but no luck.
I don't know if it helps to share my recent (!) numptie experience but here's what I do when I find that I stumble on the embouchure by accident, I go through a drill to work things out.
1: Follow the James Galway method for basic flute placement. It's uploaded here so there's no excuse for not being able to blow first time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcXRzZZv1mE
2. Now that the flute is placed properly, alter the embouchure [lips/teeth/palate] until the sound is at its yellow (full recorder tone) or purple tone as desired.
3. Keeping the embouchure position to the flute rock steady, start moving your head gently up and down and see if it makes a difference to desired tone.
4. No? Return to centred embouchure position and check flute position to embouchure is identical. Now turn head slightly left or right and work out if this affects the tone in a good way.
5. Now that you've done all those adjustments, use the 'diaphragm punch' by sharp breathe in, to get the right attack speed.
6. Try a basic note, like treble clef B. Blow like Trevor Wye says in his Tone Practice book using a downward airflow for the treble clef B. When this is smooth and sweet, then go for upper staff B (same fingering) and channel air upwards. Work out the difference in angle between upstream and downstream, and roll the flute lip outward a single degree if necessary until there is no splitting of the B note between octaves.
7. Hey presto! If this doesn't work, then take up the piano
Interested to see what your method is. Mine is still imprecise. That's why I need the drill to try and improve my consistency. I'd hope others could rip holes in my drill and advise better, because I'm still far from happy with the sound I'm producing.
Wow, I'm going to try that tomorrow.
I ALWAYS forget to use the diaphragm when attacking a note. I'm doing exercises for it, but only use my diaphragm when I do those exercises.
My usual technique to find my embouchure is mostly by feel. I put the lip plate to my lower lip and adjust it and my lips slightly till I get the "right" feel for it.
I ALWAYS forget to use the diaphragm when attacking a note. I'm doing exercises for it, but only use my diaphragm when I do those exercises.
My usual technique to find my embouchure is mostly by feel. I put the lip plate to my lower lip and adjust it and my lips slightly till I get the "right" feel for it.
I find diaphragm attack doesn't come naturally to me, unless I am suddenly descending from the second octave and have a low C. All my Trevor Wye exercises are great when I'm practising, but then like you say, me too - I forget to import them into regular playing lol.
I'm stuck mostly at point 6). I can channel air downwards fine for the first octave; or channel air upwards for the second octave. It's the in between note 'E' which really makes me split E between bottom octave E and second octave E. I can't quite control the airflow. Now third octave - the air channel goes upwards, and I'm tightening my embouchure to hit the notes.
Problems with this approach: I can split same fingered notes like 'B' into middle B; second octave B, and a third squeaky sound that shouldn't be there! Relaxing embouchure helps...but then splits between B1 and B2. Pushing airflow more upwards with a more relaxed embouchure seems to be the key.
The best advice I got was from my Sally Basics book. "Attack the second/third octaves, as if you are trying to blow a fly off your nose". It's written for children and numpties lol. It works for me. All the confusing talk about 'embouchure' position means little if the air flow isn't directed at an angle consistently up or down.
Hope it helps! I live in the woods so I can wander out at night and practice trying not to split B's
Relying on 'feel' is good once you're experienced. I have to use vaseline on my lips to stop them going numb - it does make my lips glide all over the lip plate although enables me to practice for longer. I'm still a numptie lol. In danger of becoming a numb numptie.
When I'm better, I'll change my username and come back like I was never a numptie. At the minute, I'm very much a numptie at flute playing. Im' really not happy with my self-taught standard! I am so bad at playing that I put on pre-recorded Mozart solo flute sonatas on my hi-fi, and my flat mates think I'm a genius who's learnt to play the flute professionally in a month!
I'm stuck mostly at point 6). I can channel air downwards fine for the first octave; or channel air upwards for the second octave. It's the in between note 'E' which really makes me split E between bottom octave E and second octave E. I can't quite control the airflow. Now third octave - the air channel goes upwards, and I'm tightening my embouchure to hit the notes.
Problems with this approach: I can split same fingered notes like 'B' into middle B; second octave B, and a third squeaky sound that shouldn't be there! Relaxing embouchure helps...but then splits between B1 and B2. Pushing airflow more upwards with a more relaxed embouchure seems to be the key.
The best advice I got was from my Sally Basics book. "Attack the second/third octaves, as if you are trying to blow a fly off your nose". It's written for children and numpties lol. It works for me. All the confusing talk about 'embouchure' position means little if the air flow isn't directed at an angle consistently up or down.
Hope it helps! I live in the woods so I can wander out at night and practice trying not to split B's
Relying on 'feel' is good once you're experienced. I have to use vaseline on my lips to stop them going numb - it does make my lips glide all over the lip plate although enables me to practice for longer. I'm still a numptie lol. In danger of becoming a numb numptie.
When I'm better, I'll change my username and come back like I was never a numptie. At the minute, I'm very much a numptie at flute playing. Im' really not happy with my self-taught standard! I am so bad at playing that I put on pre-recorded Mozart solo flute sonatas on my hi-fi, and my flat mates think I'm a genius who's learnt to play the flute professionally in a month!
Cool!
Let us know how you get on.
I was blowing first octave perfectly. Then I started doing second octave and I was less perfect. Then I started third octave and it all crumbled apart.
Btw - here is a list of the ABRSM repertoire if you are interested in using it as a set of personal goals.
http://www.allflutesplus.co.uk/shop/pages.php?pageid=17
You said you were interested in some broader repertoire too. If you or anyone is interested, here are some free online solo flute scores to wet your palate:
http://www.flutetunes.com/
I can play them all perfectly.
Sigh. Whilst I'm dreaming, I'd like a new alto flute asap!!!
Let us know how you get on.
I was blowing first octave perfectly. Then I started doing second octave and I was less perfect. Then I started third octave and it all crumbled apart.
Btw - here is a list of the ABRSM repertoire if you are interested in using it as a set of personal goals.
http://www.allflutesplus.co.uk/shop/pages.php?pageid=17
You said you were interested in some broader repertoire too. If you or anyone is interested, here are some free online solo flute scores to wet your palate:
http://www.flutetunes.com/
I can play them all perfectly.
Sigh. Whilst I'm dreaming, I'd like a new alto flute asap!!!