I am BRAND new to the flute

eddie785 · Post by **eddie785** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 11:56 pm

I play guitar, sax and keyboards. This flute thing
is a whole new game for me. I can''t get as much as a sound out of the flute.
I have no idea how to blow the air into (across? through?) the mouthpiece.
Someone said it was like when you blow across a bottle top. Someone else said...
well, I can''t describe that one here. At any rate, how does a brand new
player begin? Is there a way to describe it?

Flute_Girl_03 · Post by **Flute_Girl_03** » Thu Dec 25, 2003 10:05 pm

Sorry but I can't help you. I'm new too and I'd
love to know how to play this thing right!

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Thu Dec 25, 2003 10:10 pm

You two are brave to start a new instrument with no
instructions from a teacher, band instructor or even a basic book from the
library or music store. I would give you some advice better than answering your
question, get a book and then what you can't understand from that ask about
here. Second there is some basic information on this site you can look at.

Flute_Girl_03 · Post by **Flute_Girl_03** » Thu Dec 25, 2003 10:23 pm

My family keeps telling me I need to go practice in
another room. I guess I sound horrible! Lol. I'm hopefully going to get a basic
flute book soon because I also need to get the next level piano book within two
weeks. I hope I'll be able to get one. I've been playing around with my flute
using my piano book, it's sounds ok but I still can't hit the C or D2.

embum79 · Post by **embum79** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 9:22 pm

Eddie, I'm guessing (although I'm not positive)
that you will not need to blow as hard to get a sound out on a flute as you do
for your sax. You can get a good sound out of a flute without using a lot of
air. Unfortunately the problem is a lot of the air gets wasted, so we flutists
end up having to take a lot of breaths. Initially to get a good sound, try to
split your airstream, so that half is going down into the flute and half is
going across. Your bottom lip should be slightly over the hole. Make a shape
with your lips as if you're saying the word "two". Hope this helps!

Crazy · Post by **Crazy** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 10:00 pm

Flute_Girl_03, didn't you state before that your
friend plays the flute? Trying asking your friend for help. When my instructor
plays along with me, I/we can tell easier if I'm playing the notes correctly by
sound and if not then she watches my hands for fingering problems. Just a
thought. When you can a book would be helpful. One that I know of and am sort of
using and it also comes with a cd (helpful if you want to know how the notes
sounds) is Essential Elements 2000 Flute Book 1 and it's only $6.95.

Flute_Girl_03 · Post by **Flute_Girl_03** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:17 pm

Thanks Crazy. THe only problem is that I live in the
US and my flute playing friend lives in Germany. I met her when we lived in
KOrea then early this year we both moved, my family to the US and her's to
Germany. I'll check out the book you suggested, I'd really need the CD too cuz
I have almost no clue as to how the notes are supposed to sound. Oh btw, howcome
when I play G and G2 G sounds higher than G2. I don't get it and it's really
got me confused.[:((]

Crazy · Post by **Crazy** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:28 pm

[quote] ---------------- On 12/29/2003 2:17:20 PM Oh
btw, howcome when I play G and G2 G sounds higher than G2. I don't get it and
it's really got me confused.[:((] ---------------- [/quote] I'm not sure but I
would say it's the way you are directing the air into the hole. Try changing
the way you are blowing the air. I just know that G is lower than G2 and it does
sound lower. Maybe someone who's been playing longer can be of more help. Sorry

Flute_Girl_03 · Post by **Flute_Girl_03** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 4:42 pm

Don't appologize Crazy. Thanks for your help, I'll
try it and get back with you on how it works. [:)]

Flute_Girl_03 · Post by **Flute_Girl_03** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 5:54 pm

Man do I feel stupid! Um, G and G2 are exactly the
same, nothin different in the keys played.[:blackeye:] And something else is
bugging me. I can't get anything lower than G to come out clear. Everything
higher, A up, comes out perfect but anything lower than G sounds all weird. Any
help???

Flute_Girl_03 · Post by **Flute_Girl_03** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 6:09 pm

Oh yeah, and my C and D sound the same. I can't
tell any difference in them. Sorry for making so many posts.[::)]

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:38 pm

Flute_Girl 03 I have been reading about the
different problems you have been having with notes that sound the same. I am
wondering if you could possibly purchase a tuner ? This would help you in
knowing when you have the right pitch for each note. I am thinking that some of
your difficulties may be coming from your air speed or the direction of your
air. I was also wondering if your flute is new or used. The problem with notes
sounding the same could possibly also come from having a pad or 2 that are not
sealing correctly. Also do you get a cleaning rod with the flute? If so it
should have a a line at the end of it. What you could do is put the rod into the
headjoint and see if that line is centered in the embochure hole. It might not
explain the sound differences between 2 notes but it would tell you that your
flute may be in need of a check up. Kim

Flute_Girl_03 · Post by **Flute_Girl_03** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 11:40 am

My flute is new not used. How do you check if the
pads are sealed correctly? My flute didn't come with any instructions on
anything but assembly. Yes, I got a cleaning rod with it and I checked like you
said and it seems to be centered in the embouchure hole right.

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 6:01 pm

Hi, It may be hard to tell if the pads are not
sealing correctly. Sometimes you can visually check each one by holding the key
down and looking to see if you see any gaps between the pad and the tone hole.
You might also try to hold each key down one at a time and see if you feel it
give at all when you press down. The only other way I can think of would be to
take it in for a check up. As from some of my posts you may have noticed that I
am not one that is big on discussing brands unless someone asks but in this case
I would like to ask what brand your flute is. There are some flutes sold that
are not in playing condition even if they are new and students think they are
having a problem when it reality it is their flute. This could be a situation
where you are just going to have to work hard on controlling your embochure and
air speed but then again it could just be a mechanical problem with your flute.
Kim

falling4ever_3 · Post by **falling4ever_3** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 6:13 pm

I am very new 2 the flute 2.. it's takes a lot of
practice but I think I'm getting better.. i hope, lol [:)]