Dutilleux Sonatine

az1983 · Post by **az1983** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:06 am

Hello All~ Im playing the Dutilleux Sonatine at a buddies Doctoral recital in April. So far, things are coming along well and Im getting all the notes under my fingers without too much problem. BUT, Im having a real issue with that sustained high B. To me, they seem very airy and hard to control a diminuendo. If I feel I get a good quality sounding note, as I start the dim the note cracks and drops dead. If I get a half-way decent B that is airy, a dim is easier but the sound is terrible.....Any suggestions (tips, alt fingerings, ect.) would be very helpful.

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:19 pm

One of the best things is to practice high C's, C#'s, D's, D#'s, E's, etc. After working on the fourth octave, lower "high notes" are easier to play and feel more controlable.

az1983 · Post by **az1983** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:37 pm

haha well that's definitely something I've been avoiding! Think it's possible by the end of April?

Ilovetheflute · Post by **Ilovetheflute** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:07 pm

I used to have that problem when I played that piece. I would HIGHLY recommend doind the first excercise in Moyse De la Sonorite. It has helped me so much! Good luck!

Helga · Post by **Helga** » Fri May 08, 2009 11:08 am

Ilovetheflute wrote:I used to have that problem when I played that piece. I would HIGHLY recommend doind the first excercise in Moyse De la Sonorite. It has helped me so much! Good luck!

Yep, it is a matter of general tone control, not needing new fingerings.

Always bring the good sound with you to the next tone, never leave it behind. Listen carefully for changes in tone quality between the notes. Start at B2.

Also, check out what vowel you were to speak instead of playing that high B. My experience is that "ee" will make it sound narrow and sharp. An "aa" will make it a lot more rounded. =)