The D2 demon

Absoflutely · Post by **Absoflutely** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:48 pm

Hi, I'm an adult beginner, playing about 3 months or so. My instrument is an Altus Azumi 3000 w an offset G, a B foot and an E donut. At this early stage of my ability, my biggest demon is D2. More often than not it sounds airy, weak and inconsistent. My first 2 octaves are typically pretty good and I'm on my way up to A3. Is D2 a tough note for beginners generally or is it me? Any suggestiions to help me clean up D2 would be appreciated.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:07 pm

Do you mean D2 or D3? D2 is usually a pretty solid note, since it uses so much tube. Be sure that you're lifting your left index finger to differentiate between D1 and D2. As for D3, check your fingering. Unlike the lower D's, it requires you to lift everything except your right hand pinky (maintaining the left hand fingering for D2). Even if you're using the correct fingerings, D3 may be a gnome (a note that requires some wierd compensations) on your particular flute, so it may take some time to figure it out, but with some patience and experience it will come. Don't expect to be able to play a full range with a good sound too quickly. It takes years to build a solid tone throughout the range, and in fact, tone is something that even professionals work on a daily basis.

flutegeek1992 · Post by **flutegeek1992** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:55 pm

flutepicc06 wrote:Do you mean D2 or D3? D2 is usually a pretty solid note, since it uses so much tube. Be sure that you're lifting your left index finger to differentiate between D1 and D2. As for D3, check your fingering. Unlike the lower D's, it requires you to lift everything except your right hand pinky. Even if you're using the correct fingerings, D3 may be a gnome (a note that requires some wierd compensations) on your particular flute, so it may take some time to figure it out, but with some patience and experience it will come. Don't expect to be able to play a full range with a good sound too quickly. It takes years to build a solid tone throughout the range, and in fact, tone is something that even professionals work on a daily basis.

You gave the fingering for Dflat 3. The fingering for D3 is 2,3 thumb and right hand pinky. However, this not may be difficult for you to play due to support. Don't give up!

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:58 pm

um..yeah. I agree wtih flutegeek1992...lol.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:58 pm

flutegeek1992 wrote:
flutepicc06 wrote:Do you mean D2 or D3? D2 is usually a pretty solid note, since it uses so much tube. Be sure that you're lifting your left index finger to differentiate between D1 and D2. As for D3, check your fingering. Unlike the lower D's, it requires you to lift everything except your right hand pinky. Even if you're using the correct fingerings, D3 may be a gnome (a note that requires some wierd compensations) on your particular flute, so it may take some time to figure it out, but with some patience and experience it will come. Don't expect to be able to play a full range with a good sound too quickly. It takes years to build a solid tone throughout the range, and in fact, tone is something that even professionals work on a daily basis.
You gave the fingering for Dflat 3. The fingering for D3 is 2,3 thumb and right hand pinky. However, this not may be difficult for you to play due to support. Don't give up!

It was a miscommunication. I started with the fingering for D2, and gave instruction on how to finger D3 starting from there. Thank you for pointing that out, though. Also, there shouldn't be anything particularly difficult about D3. It's actually one of the easiest notes of the upper range to get to speak with a decent tone.

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:02 pm

Oh...sorry, didn't read carefully.

Absoflutely · Post by **Absoflutely** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:30 pm

Hi, thanks for the feedback. And yes I was definitely talking about D2 not D3. You say it's usually a pretty solid note because you use so much tube, but when I lift my left index finger my version of the note sounds weak and airy ( most of the time). I can usually move my fingers around on the keys a little to make it sound more full. Is this just a rookie condition that will become more exact and consistent as time goes on with more and moe playing?
Also, going form C2 to D2 is a killer! My D2 almost always sounds bad when I make that transition, unless I do it veeerrrryyy slowly. Another rookie technique that just takes time and repetition??

deina-kun · Post by **deina-kun** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:39 am

It might be that you're not completely covering the key with your finger, since you play an Azumi, which could be causing D2 to be airy.

When I play my open hole, even a slight change in the position of the finger over an open hole can affect the note.

Hope that helps!

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:39 am

It does sound as if you are not coverin gthe holes completely. Try playing with the plugs in (if you have them) and see if there is a difference. If there is, take the plugs out and concentrate on placing your fingers over the holes.

I always make this comment, I know, but if it does not seem as if putting the plugs in helps, you may have a leak.

Absoflutely · Post by **Absoflutely** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:18 pm

You're both right about the open hole. D2 sounds better with the holes plugged. Thanx for the tip. I'll work on sealing the holes correctly with my fingertips.

Deina-kun, why did you say, "...since you play an Azumi..."? Is there something I should know about my flute?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:20 pm

Taipan wrote:You're both right about the open hole. D2 sounds better with the holes plugged. Thanx for the tip. I'll work on sealing the holes correctly with my fingertips.

Deina-kun, why did you say, "...since you play an Azumi..."? Is there something I should know about my flute?

Azumi flutes are open hole, which I'm sure is what (s)he was getting at. You wouldn't have to worry about plugging holes on a plateau flute.

deina-kun · Post by **deina-kun** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:23 pm

flutepicc06 wrote:
Taipan wrote:You're both right about the open hole. D2 sounds better with the holes plugged. Thanx for the tip. I'll work on sealing the holes correctly with my fingertips.

Deina-kun, why did you say, "...since you play an Azumi..."? Is there something I should know about my flute?
Azumi flutes are open hole, which I'm sure is what (s)he was getting at. You wouldn't have to worry about plugging holes on a plateau flute.

Yep. :]