Quiet high notes

[PiccoloShorty]

How can I play high-pitched notes quieter without making them sound bad/airy?
Our band is competing this year and the flute section has high music but we have to play quiet and it always sounds too loud.

[etgohomeok]

Try putting small amounts of air through the flute as you would with lower notes, but through very tight lips. Basically have your lips almost closed and squeeze air through.

[fluteguy18]

NO!

You must support your tone MUCH MUCH more when you try to play softly. Michel Debost told me in a masterclass that I played in, that when playing softly in the upper register, I must support from my feet. Just try it. It works.

Don't tense your embouchure. Don't tighten up. Doing so is contrary to good tone. It makes it sound pinched.

Put less air through your flute. Keep a good strong and fast stream of air.

Lastly,


PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!

Try doing long tones starting on B natural [above the staff] and move upwards chromatically. [B-C, C-C#, C#- D etc. etc.]. Practice getting softer as you move into the next note.

[Phineas]

Fluteguy18

This would be a good subject to add to the FAQ!

A piccolo is good practice for this. You cannot get a not out of any of the Altissmo register of a pic if your embouchure is too tight. You just have to relax!

I have gotten back into giving lessons again. Most of the problems my students have with tone or dynamics, or intonation are almost always related to breathing, embouchure or related to improper mouth configuration. Most on my students have already started with another teacher, and are rarely taught how to breathe properly.

PiccoloShorty

My suggetion to you is find either a good teacher or player that can help you out with this. This is the best way to isolate what your issue. You will not need to take but 1 or 2 lessons to get you on track. Coming on this board is cool. However, your issue maybe something simple. This can only be solved by someone observing you in person.

Good luck

Phineas

[fluteguy18]

It would indeed be a good subject.

I would be willing to write about it, but in all honesty, I am really busy right now [a lot of classes this semester]. So, I don't have a lot of time.

And, not meaning to hijack the thread, but it seems to me that Flutepicc has dropped off of the face of the planet....

[Phineas]

And, not meaning to hijack the thread, but it seems to me that Flutepicc has dropped off of the face of the planet....

Yeah, I kind of noticed that also. Hopefully he is out somewhere becoming rich and famous!

Phineas

[fluteguy18]

I certainly hope so.

I think I might message him. He isn't on any of his usual boards, but I have seen him lurking around Facebook recently.

[anaawesomness]

does anyone know a good place on the internet to get the fingerings to the b flat chromatic scale plase tell me.