I have an open hole Armstrong Sterling flute, but I have the
holes sealed since I can''t play them with the holes exposed. Anyway, my
question is on how to play notes on the 3rd octave. I can play the lower 2
octaves and 3rd 8va D and Eb but any notes above E3 are really hard. I have to
push very hard to play them and playing them softly seems like mission
impossible. I have been playing the flute for 2 months and I have been playing
the sax for 8 years. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
3rd Octave blues
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
-
justanotherpiper
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 4:28 pm
3rd Octave blues
You've only been playing the flute for 2 months?? My,
my!!! It's impressive that you can already get E3 out!!! As for your "3rd
Octave Blues," all I can say is that in time, you will be able to play those
notes. You see, you can't push your embouchure to do something that it's not
ready to do just yet. You have to give it time. You mentioned that you could
play E3. My suggestion to you is to practice playing E3 frequently, and after
you feel that you have "mastered" the note, the try F3, but don't give up if
your notes still won't come out. Another theory that I have has to do with the
type of flute you use. If you are using a 25 year old flute that is near falling
apart, then this might contribute to you not be able to get out the notes. If
you think that the problem might be your flute, then I'm suggesting that you go
to your music store and try other flutes of various brands. That's just a
suggestion, though. I hoped that this helped. Good luck, and don't give up!!!!
[;)]
my!!! It's impressive that you can already get E3 out!!! As for your "3rd
Octave Blues," all I can say is that in time, you will be able to play those
notes. You see, you can't push your embouchure to do something that it's not
ready to do just yet. You have to give it time. You mentioned that you could
play E3. My suggestion to you is to practice playing E3 frequently, and after
you feel that you have "mastered" the note, the try F3, but don't give up if
your notes still won't come out. Another theory that I have has to do with the
type of flute you use. If you are using a 25 year old flute that is near falling
apart, then this might contribute to you not be able to get out the notes. If
you think that the problem might be your flute, then I'm suggesting that you go
to your music store and try other flutes of various brands. That's just a
suggestion, though. I hoped that this helped. Good luck, and don't give up!!!!
[;)]
-justanotherpiper
3rd Octave blues
At two months, that IS impressive...I can't remember
how long it took me to reach those notes. It was longer than that for sure! Try
tightening your embouchure and remembering to always support your note with your
diaphram. Try to imagine yourself blowing a very fine, focused stream of air
rather than blowing harder. I find the more relaxed I am going into those notes,
the easier they are...stand/sit up straight and focus on your support. As the
justanotherpiper said...those notes will come in time. Be patient. Eventually,
you'll even be able to play them softly!
how long it took me to reach those notes. It was longer than that for sure! Try
tightening your embouchure and remembering to always support your note with your
diaphram. Try to imagine yourself blowing a very fine, focused stream of air
rather than blowing harder. I find the more relaxed I am going into those notes,
the easier they are...stand/sit up straight and focus on your support. As the
justanotherpiper said...those notes will come in time. Be patient. Eventually,
you'll even be able to play them softly!
3rd Octave blues
You are doing very well for having only played two
months, so take heart! I does take time to get good in the top octaves, and the
best way to get there is to practice playing your highest notes a little each
day. I feel I should reply regarding the last post on how to achieve high notes.
I agree that relaxing, maintaining good posture, and support is important. On
that note, I would suggest that you do not tighten your embouchure but keep it
relaxed as you would when playing low notes. I have a few friends who are
saxophone players who have later learned flute, and it is often most difficult
for them to learn how to not have a tight embourchure, since a flute simply does
not do well with the same lip squeezing a saxophone requires. What produces high
notes is air speed and the direction of the air stream. The degree to which you
should use one or the other is a subject of debate, but it is clear that both
methods should be used in combination to produce high notes. To play high notes,
your air must move much faster, and aiming the air higher, more "out" of the
flute can help. There are many who (to great effect) think that high notes
should only be produced by increased air speed and not by direction. In any
case, you blowing MUST be faster for high notes than low notes. Along with
blowing faster, making the embouchure hole smaller and covering a little more of
the hole with your lower lip is important for producing your most lovely high
notes! So we have different ideas about how to produce high notes, but everyone
agrees that it will take time, and that the best way to improve is to relax and
keep practicing those high notes a little every day! -Bradford
months, so take heart! I does take time to get good in the top octaves, and the
best way to get there is to practice playing your highest notes a little each
day. I feel I should reply regarding the last post on how to achieve high notes.
I agree that relaxing, maintaining good posture, and support is important. On
that note, I would suggest that you do not tighten your embouchure but keep it
relaxed as you would when playing low notes. I have a few friends who are
saxophone players who have later learned flute, and it is often most difficult
for them to learn how to not have a tight embourchure, since a flute simply does
not do well with the same lip squeezing a saxophone requires. What produces high
notes is air speed and the direction of the air stream. The degree to which you
should use one or the other is a subject of debate, but it is clear that both
methods should be used in combination to produce high notes. To play high notes,
your air must move much faster, and aiming the air higher, more "out" of the
flute can help. There are many who (to great effect) think that high notes
should only be produced by increased air speed and not by direction. In any
case, you blowing MUST be faster for high notes than low notes. Along with
blowing faster, making the embouchure hole smaller and covering a little more of
the hole with your lower lip is important for producing your most lovely high
notes! So we have different ideas about how to produce high notes, but everyone
agrees that it will take time, and that the best way to improve is to relax and
keep practicing those high notes a little every day! -Bradford
3rd Octave blues
- High notes do require a lot of practice - They do
not require more "force", actually quite the contrary, you need to relax more
while you play them compared to the middle register and lower registers. - The
air moves faster in higher notes and your lips come closer to the outer wall
(eseentially, your lower lip covers a little more of the embochure hole) - When
you relax your lip muscles is when these notes will begin to sound good There is
a great deal of experimentation that you need to do and it all takes time. As
you listen to yourself playing, try to make the notes sound pure and rich, relax
your lips and listen to the "lower overtone" (a low, humming sound) as it will
show when you are playing well, especially with notes in the 3rd register. Hope
all this helps. Remember, just relax your lips and keep trying. I play Jazz and
Latin music (I do not double on any other wind instruments) and cannot stress
how important a good embochure and a strong, relaxed tone is. By the way, I have
to really say that you seem to be doing great on the flute for that short of a
time.
not require more "force", actually quite the contrary, you need to relax more
while you play them compared to the middle register and lower registers. - The
air moves faster in higher notes and your lips come closer to the outer wall
(eseentially, your lower lip covers a little more of the embochure hole) - When
you relax your lip muscles is when these notes will begin to sound good There is
a great deal of experimentation that you need to do and it all takes time. As
you listen to yourself playing, try to make the notes sound pure and rich, relax
your lips and listen to the "lower overtone" (a low, humming sound) as it will
show when you are playing well, especially with notes in the 3rd register. Hope
all this helps. Remember, just relax your lips and keep trying. I play Jazz and
Latin music (I do not double on any other wind instruments) and cannot stress
how important a good embochure and a strong, relaxed tone is. By the way, I have
to really say that you seem to be doing great on the flute for that short of a
time.
Damjan, --- Fluteland.com Teacher
3rd Octave blues
You're right...now that I think about, the direction
of the air stream does change as I play high notes (I'm moving my lips and jaw
right now, as I think about it!). I guess some things become second nature after
awhile. I find that directing the air more across and to the back of the opening
as opposed to down and in works for me. Just keep experimenting and find the
right combination that works for you. So many variables at work in playing the
flute, aren't there? It certainly keeps things challenging! But, if we weren't
all up for a challenge, we'd be playing the triangle...and that would be pretty
dull, now wouldn't it?[;)]
of the air stream does change as I play high notes (I'm moving my lips and jaw
right now, as I think about it!). I guess some things become second nature after
awhile. I find that directing the air more across and to the back of the opening
as opposed to down and in works for me. Just keep experimenting and find the
right combination that works for you. So many variables at work in playing the
flute, aren't there? It certainly keeps things challenging! But, if we weren't
all up for a challenge, we'd be playing the triangle...and that would be pretty
dull, now wouldn't it?[;)]
3rd Octave blues
First of all, I would like to thank everyone for your
suggestions and encouragements. I feel so flattered and so much better at your
praises now that I know I'm not such a crap beginner afterall [:)], I will take
everything you guys had mentioned at heart when I practice. Getting E3 for me
requires quite a bit of air stream change and I have to overblow to hit it. The
strange thing is that D3, Eb3 and F3 are much easier. The problem comes again
when I try to play F#3 and G3, yet G#3 and A3 becomes relatively easier again.
The flute I am playing now is not brand new. I bought it cheap from a friend who
had given up on learning it. I don't know if there are any problems with this
flute as Justanotherpiper had mentioned and I don't know any good flutists in
my area who can test it out for me. Maybe I should get a proper one instead. Any
suggestions for a not too expensive but good sounding intermediate model? I am
considering the Yamaha YFL-321, is this ok? Also, I noticed that many flute
beginner books are meant for total newbies who have no music background. As I
can read music fairly well, I am wondering if there are any out there that focus
more on playing and blowing technique rather than on music theory? Thanks again!
suggestions and encouragements. I feel so flattered and so much better at your
praises now that I know I'm not such a crap beginner afterall [:)], I will take
everything you guys had mentioned at heart when I practice. Getting E3 for me
requires quite a bit of air stream change and I have to overblow to hit it. The
strange thing is that D3, Eb3 and F3 are much easier. The problem comes again
when I try to play F#3 and G3, yet G#3 and A3 becomes relatively easier again.
The flute I am playing now is not brand new. I bought it cheap from a friend who
had given up on learning it. I don't know if there are any problems with this
flute as Justanotherpiper had mentioned and I don't know any good flutists in
my area who can test it out for me. Maybe I should get a proper one instead. Any
suggestions for a not too expensive but good sounding intermediate model? I am
considering the Yamaha YFL-321, is this ok? Also, I noticed that many flute
beginner books are meant for total newbies who have no music background. As I
can read music fairly well, I am wondering if there are any out there that focus
more on playing and blowing technique rather than on music theory? Thanks again!
-
flutietootie4lyfe
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2003 3:44 pm
3rd Octave blues
what model do you have now
~Kendall
"Q: How many classical flutists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Only
one, but she'll pay $5,000 for a gold-plated ladder." --Kathy Russell
"Q: How many classical flutists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Only
one, but she'll pay $5,000 for a gold-plated ladder." --Kathy Russell
3rd Octave blues
I have no idea on exactly what model it is, all I
could see were the words "Armstrong Elkhart - Sterling Silver". It has in-line
keys with open holes.
could see were the words "Armstrong Elkhart - Sterling Silver". It has in-line
keys with open holes.
-
dancingflutist3000
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:35 am
3rd Octave blues
Before playing the flute I played the sax as well!
(but only for 2 years). As for your octave problem. . .don't push yourself to
hard. You've only been playing for two months. I can see where you're coming
from, see because you've been playing the sax for years and when you switch to
a new instrument (especially one with such a different embouture(sp?)) your
subconsiousness is probably saying "Hello! Why are we playing this easy stuff?"
You just need to take it slow and it may be frustrating not to be able to play
as good as on the sax, but wait it out.
(but only for 2 years). As for your octave problem. . .don't push yourself to
hard. You've only been playing for two months. I can see where you're coming
from, see because you've been playing the sax for years and when you switch to
a new instrument (especially one with such a different embouture(sp?)) your
subconsiousness is probably saying "Hello! Why are we playing this easy stuff?"
You just need to take it slow and it may be frustrating not to be able to play
as good as on the sax, but wait it out.
~*~Soccer
Rules~*~ ~*~dancingflutist~*~
http://thesims.ea.com/mysimpage/simpage.php?avatar_id=11412300
Rules~*~ ~*~dancingflutist~*~
http://thesims.ea.com/mysimpage/simpage.php?avatar_id=11412300
-
dancingflutist3000
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:35 am
3rd Octave blues
In my previous post I didn't really give any tips on
how to get that E3 out. Since you've only been playing for 2 months it may take
some time for you to develop the lip placement best for you but here's my
suggestions: _Faster air = higher notes _Make sure finger placement is correct
_Try going from low E to medium E and finally to high _It may not sound perfect
so don't loose hope! In fact for almost all flutes, E3 is a trouble note,
that's why they've invented things like donuts (not the edible kind) and split
E mechanisms. _Finally, do you have a private teacher? If you do, I'm sure
she/he could give you some good pointers.
how to get that E3 out. Since you've only been playing for 2 months it may take
some time for you to develop the lip placement best for you but here's my
suggestions: _Faster air = higher notes _Make sure finger placement is correct
_Try going from low E to medium E and finally to high _It may not sound perfect
so don't loose hope! In fact for almost all flutes, E3 is a trouble note,
that's why they've invented things like donuts (not the edible kind) and split
E mechanisms. _Finally, do you have a private teacher? If you do, I'm sure
she/he could give you some good pointers.
~*~Soccer
Rules~*~ ~*~dancingflutist~*~
http://thesims.ea.com/mysimpage/simpage.php?avatar_id=11412300
Rules~*~ ~*~dancingflutist~*~
http://thesims.ea.com/mysimpage/simpage.php?avatar_id=11412300
3rd Octave blues
I was basically self taught with the help by asking
silly questions from other forums like this. Learning the fingerings are easy
since they are quite similar to the sax, even on the 3rd octave as the sax
altissimo range fingerings similar as well. E3 is not the only note that I feel
is difficult to play, the same goes for F#3 and G3. Should I go for a flute with
split E mechanism? There seems to be quite some debate on the E mechanism.
Besides making the E3 easier to produce, what are the disadvantages?
silly questions from other forums like this. Learning the fingerings are easy
since they are quite similar to the sax, even on the 3rd octave as the sax
altissimo range fingerings similar as well. E3 is not the only note that I feel
is difficult to play, the same goes for F#3 and G3. Should I go for a flute with
split E mechanism? There seems to be quite some debate on the E mechanism.
Besides making the E3 easier to produce, what are the disadvantages?
3rd Octave blues
I don't think you need a split E mechanism. I also do
not think there are any significant disadvantages (the sound of E might be
slightly different but it is a matter of preference) in case you do decide to
get it to facilitate high E. As far as getting a flute - it all depends on how
much you are willing to spend. Intermediate flutes start at ~800 and go to about
$3000. Professional flutes start around there (and a bit higher) and can go into
tens of thousands, while for about ~6,000 you can get a nice professional model.
I would suggest going to www.fluteworld.com and checking some prices. I like
Yamaha beginner and intermediate flutes. After that, Sankyo is nice, Muramatsu
are excellent, but of course it comes with price.
not think there are any significant disadvantages (the sound of E might be
slightly different but it is a matter of preference) in case you do decide to
get it to facilitate high E. As far as getting a flute - it all depends on how
much you are willing to spend. Intermediate flutes start at ~800 and go to about
$3000. Professional flutes start around there (and a bit higher) and can go into
tens of thousands, while for about ~6,000 you can get a nice professional model.
I would suggest going to www.fluteworld.com and checking some prices. I like
Yamaha beginner and intermediate flutes. After that, Sankyo is nice, Muramatsu
are excellent, but of course it comes with price.
Damjan, --- Fluteland.com Teacher
-
krzymunkey
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2003 2:54 pm
3rd Octave blues
whoa.. 2 months? the first 2 months i couldn't even
play c3! maybe im was just below average..
play c3! maybe im was just below average..
Dream
as if you'll live forever... Live as if you'll die tomorrow...
as if you'll live forever... Live as if you'll die tomorrow...
3rd Octave blues
My budget is less than US$1000. Top end flutes,
although desirable, but are really too expensive and I know I will never gonna
be the next James Galway [:blackeye:]. Student flutes will give me post purchase
remorse as I think I deserve better. So, my only choices are in the semi-pro
range. I heard from many people that Yamaha flutes are relatively easy to play
and have decent tone. Since closed hole flutes are easier to handle, my choices
are left with YFL 311, 321 and 411. Other brands like Pearl, Gemmy and Armstrong
(which I already have) have too many mixed comments which I guess I will have to
rule them out.
although desirable, but are really too expensive and I know I will never gonna
be the next James Galway [:blackeye:]. Student flutes will give me post purchase
remorse as I think I deserve better. So, my only choices are in the semi-pro
range. I heard from many people that Yamaha flutes are relatively easy to play
and have decent tone. Since closed hole flutes are easier to handle, my choices
are left with YFL 311, 321 and 411. Other brands like Pearl, Gemmy and Armstrong
(which I already have) have too many mixed comments which I guess I will have to
rule them out.