Tone Trouble

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 4:49 pm

EEK! My tone has drifted.
2 days ago my tone was clear and light but then the next day I played again and I only played for a couple of minutes but my lips (more precisely, cheeks) started to hurt so I rested for the day. I played again today but my tone had totally drifted away, is there a way to fix the tone back to it's regular quality?

ifyougotitfluteit · Post by **ifyougotitfluteit** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:30 pm

I'm looking for a response to this question as well. I've had the same problem.

Here's my situation:
I am 39 years old. The last couple years I began playing again for our church's contemporary Praise Team. Before that, I only had my flute out a dozen times our so since high school. To be honest, I was surprised how easy it was to pick it up after all those years.

Most of the time, I am pleased with my tone...clear and pretty, however, I go through these spells where my tone sounds not as good...breathy, airy, and I have trouble attacking the higher notes. I get frustrated and discouraged trying to figure out what to do to correct it, and then just like that, I sound clear and pretty again, without explanation. I am assuming it is ME, and not my flute, because this problem comes and goes and this is a new flute (only about a year old...not my one from high school).

Do you have any suggestions/techniques to try when this happens? I'm sure just more PRACTICE in general would help, but something to try when this happens? Thanks in advace!!

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:59 pm

May seem a silly answer, but I do think this may be just a matter of deficient hydration.
You both could try drinking more water, say, half a glass in an hourly basis.
After one day of "treatment" you could see some progress.

good luck
Zevang

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:51 pm

The hydration, and consistency. An athlete who played only a few days per week, or month, would become injured simply from lack of conditioning. With the small muscle groups (embouchure, hands, etc.) used for playing instruments, this conditioning is also important. It's very obvious to me when a student has abruptly altered their practice schedule, especially if he or she begins playing many fewer hours. I don't even usually have to ask, I can just tell. You didn't, however, describe your practice regimen, so I wouldn't swear this is your problem. If it is, try to play a little each day rather than saving up practice time for a couple days a week. If time is tight, just even play your tone exercises and scales, 20-30 minutes, each day. Then, when you pick up a solo, your lips won't likely fail you

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:54 pm

I think I got "tone-obscessed". I over-exaggerate so I would strain my lips, blow harder and force the air out. And I try to forget about my embochure and it'll work for maybe 10 seconds but it comes back again.
I remember that this happened to me a couple of times and it seriously drives you crazy. No matter how many "talks" you had with yourself, the "obscession" would stay until a couple of weeks or so.

any tips to get out of it?

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:32 pm

Excelent point Melizzard !
I couldn't agree more

Zevang

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:51 pm

Oh okay.
Here's what I found out,
i'm not straining, or anything.
I actually got better...