Hello again everyone! And thank you to all those who responded and helped me pick out my first flute! (i really wanted the pearl 505, but ended up witht he yamaha 221 mainly because of lack of funds aha).
So i know i'm being really impatient (since i bought the flute only yesterday) but i used to play in high school (cough about 6 years ago) and i played exceptionally well if i may say so myself. Well i've been playing nonstop now since i bought it and all the notes and techniques are coming back to me.
But despite all this i'm having a problem with airy sounds. I know its not the flute because its brand new and because i can actually hear the air coming from the sides of my mouth or when i play a note i say like tut (my old flute teacher told me to do that) i can hear that too and its just annoying, but if i dont say it the notes sound ill defined.
I read a milion forums saying to practice in a mirror (which i did) checking my embrochure, changing the angle of the flute, opening my throat. But no matter what i do i can't fix it. I dont mean that i expect to play perfectly on my 2nd day, but if i could just hear one note be perfect i'd be motivated to work out what i did and try to replicate it. but its like no matter what changes i make nothing is fixing the airy sound. particularly on the higher registers. not to mention my high d and e particularly sound screechy and i've tried playing them long separately to practice but i can't seem to get a really decent sound out of them.
Any advice would be really appreciated! i love playing the flute, but everytime i hear the airyness it just kinda ruins the experience.
PS ~ i only want to play at home as a hobby, so i dont have a flute teacher (and can't afford one either since im just a poor uni student)
PSS ~ im that desperate that if anyone thinks hearing/seeing me play would help them to help me (honestly and sincerely and not just coz they think it'd be funny) i'd be willing to make a quick video.
Thank you!
Airy Tone
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
Re: Airy Tone
It's really a problem not being able to see you playing. The issue is that the most detailed is your writing, still it's not enough to describe exactly what's happening to your playing.
Well, if a flute teacher (the best idea) is not possible, for any reason, a recording of your playing might help, even in a limited way, but could be a good start point.
Well, if a flute teacher (the best idea) is not possible, for any reason, a recording of your playing might help, even in a limited way, but could be a good start point.
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simonce011
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 5:36 am
Re: Airy Tone
well here's the first recording (the song with the high screechy notes (towards the middle/end mainly)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBlXFISA6bA
it's really embarrasingly bad please don't laugh =(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBlXFISA6bA
it's really embarrasingly bad please don't laugh =(
Re: Airy Tone
Nothing to laugh about, really. Everybody was a beginner at some point 
Your recording gave a good idea of what you're doing at the moment and also about your doubt.
Some things you might be able to change now that you're beginning and that will make a huge difference in your playing in the future (not necessarily related to the embouchure):
1) Better positioning of the right thumb: it seems to me that you might use the portion more at the tip of this finger. That's because the best role for this finger is to make some counter force with the left hand resulting in a firmer positioning of the headjoint at your chin.
2) General movement of the fingers: It will be better if you learn now to move less your fingers. It's not really necessary to open a key and put the finger alway of it. The closer your finger is to the key, the easier it is to play quick passages, so it's better to learn it now when you can think about the movements, until it's conditioned.
3) About the embouchure, it seems to me that the hole from which the airstream comes out is too big. Maybe a reason to that is the fact that you are using less your upper lip muscles (the portion that is located just below the nose). We often talk about a relaxed embouchure etc, but it's rather a relative discussion. We really have to use muscles to make the embouchure work. Just that we don't use the ones located at the sides of the mouth, but those located in the middle portion of the upper lip. The reason for that is the need of focusing the airstream. That's probably why you feel too much air coming from the sides.
This is a starting point for you to think about what could be changed. I will watch your video closer and try to observe more details that might help you improve.
It's important though that you concern to various aspects of flute playing. Attention to details is important, but you must think about the whole thing. One of the most influencing aspects is positioning, rather it's the hand, arms, shoulder, legs, etc. We may discuss it later if you want.
Your recording gave a good idea of what you're doing at the moment and also about your doubt.
Some things you might be able to change now that you're beginning and that will make a huge difference in your playing in the future (not necessarily related to the embouchure):
1) Better positioning of the right thumb: it seems to me that you might use the portion more at the tip of this finger. That's because the best role for this finger is to make some counter force with the left hand resulting in a firmer positioning of the headjoint at your chin.
2) General movement of the fingers: It will be better if you learn now to move less your fingers. It's not really necessary to open a key and put the finger alway of it. The closer your finger is to the key, the easier it is to play quick passages, so it's better to learn it now when you can think about the movements, until it's conditioned.
3) About the embouchure, it seems to me that the hole from which the airstream comes out is too big. Maybe a reason to that is the fact that you are using less your upper lip muscles (the portion that is located just below the nose). We often talk about a relaxed embouchure etc, but it's rather a relative discussion. We really have to use muscles to make the embouchure work. Just that we don't use the ones located at the sides of the mouth, but those located in the middle portion of the upper lip. The reason for that is the need of focusing the airstream. That's probably why you feel too much air coming from the sides.
This is a starting point for you to think about what could be changed. I will watch your video closer and try to observe more details that might help you improve.
It's important though that you concern to various aspects of flute playing. Attention to details is important, but you must think about the whole thing. One of the most influencing aspects is positioning, rather it's the hand, arms, shoulder, legs, etc. We may discuss it later if you want.
Re: Airy Tone
Zevang ... I think you nailed it! Just would like to add a couple of things.Zevang wrote:Nothing to laugh about, really. Everybody was a beginner at some point
Your recording gave a good idea of what you're doing at the moment and also about your doubt.
Some things you might be able to change now that you're beginning and that will make a huge difference in your playing in the future (not necessarily related to the embouchure):
1) Better positioning of the right thumb: it seems to me that you might use the portion more at the tip of this finger. That's because the best role for this finger is to make some counter force with the left hand resulting in a firmer positioning of the headjoint at your chin.
2) General movement of the fingers: It will be better if you learn now to move less your fingers. It's not really necessary to open a key and put the finger alway of it. The closer your finger is to the key, the easier it is to play quick passages, so it's better to learn it now when you can think about the movements, until it's conditioned.
3) About the embouchure, it seems to me that the hole from which the airstream comes out is too big. Maybe a reason to that is the fact that you are using less your upper lip muscles (the portion that is located just below the nose). We often talk about a relaxed embouchure etc, but it's rather a relative discussion. We really have to use muscles to make the embouchure work. Just that we don't use the ones located at the sides of the mouth, but those located in the middle portion of the upper lip. The reason for that is the need of focusing the airstream. That's probably why you feel too much air coming from the sides.
This is a starting point for you to think about what could be changed. I will watch your video closer and try to observe more details that might help you improve.
It's important though that you concern to various aspects of flute playing. Attention to details is important, but you must think about the whole thing. One of the most influencing aspects is positioning, rather it's the hand, arms, shoulder, legs, etc. We may discuss it later if you want.
simonce011
Here are a couple of things I would like to add.
1. I saw the video and noticed how tight your embouchure was right off the bat. Especially when you try to hit some of the higher notes. Another thing I noticed was not enough chamber in her mouth. If you could round out your lips a little, and drop your jaw, it would definitely give you a rounder fatter sound....if that is a good description.
2. You are lifting your fingers way too far off the keys. You should always keep your fingers in a ready position at all times. This in time will make your playing more fluid.
3. Pressing the keys too hard. The could be partly do to recovering from bad finger positioning. Or, this could be a sign that your flute needs servicing.
I would not feel bad. Everyone could use some work on something. For you, these are easy fixes that will greatly enhance you playing IMHO. I am sure others will chime in.
Good work!
Phineas
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simonce011
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 5:36 am
Re: Airy Tone
Aww thank you! you guys were really great! and gave some points i honestly never really thought about! and after watching the video myself i saw exactly what you meant about my hand positioning so i will definitely work on that from now on!!!!
Zevang of course i'd love to hear any other tips/suggestions/advice that you can/want to/have the time to share =)
Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!
Zevang of course i'd love to hear any other tips/suggestions/advice that you can/want to/have the time to share =)
Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Airy Tone
Phineas, I think it's a privilege sharing these experiences with you and many other excelent flutists. We are also here to learn but mostly to help and to "spread the word".
The fact that each of us can see the problems from different angles is a must for those who are open to hear what we have to say. This is what makes the experience here so reach.
Simonce, I'm really committed to help you in any way that is possible for me. Sometimes it's difficult for me to express some opinions or ideas, because English is a second language to me and I often have to search for words corresponding to my mother language thinking. Also the free time to respond to topics is very short, but I'll do my best in trying to find what to say to you so your playing gets better and better.
For now, I think you should stick with what Phineas and I said, work for some time and try to modify some things. After that, maybe it's a good idea to make another recording and prior to making it public and showing it to us, try to compare them by yourself and take notes of what is changed and what do you think still need to be.
Cheers!
The fact that each of us can see the problems from different angles is a must for those who are open to hear what we have to say. This is what makes the experience here so reach.
Simonce, I'm really committed to help you in any way that is possible for me. Sometimes it's difficult for me to express some opinions or ideas, because English is a second language to me and I often have to search for words corresponding to my mother language thinking. Also the free time to respond to topics is very short, but I'll do my best in trying to find what to say to you so your playing gets better and better.
For now, I think you should stick with what Phineas and I said, work for some time and try to modify some things. After that, maybe it's a good idea to make another recording and prior to making it public and showing it to us, try to compare them by yourself and take notes of what is changed and what do you think still need to be.
Cheers!