A few beginner flute questions - notes and breathing

[Guenhwyvar]

Hiya,

Unfortunately I don't know anyone else who plays flute and dont yet have a flute teacher. I was wondering if you could answer these questions and tell me off for being stupid xD.

1. Fingering charts seem to show that some notes (such as E) have the same fingering for both the low E and high E (sorry if that's not very well explained - the E and the bottom of the lines and near the top - or above). Surely the note should be higher? How do you play a higher (octave?) with the same fingering?

2. When you play 2 unjoined notes do you pause slightly or just keep playing smoothly? I cam either keep playing on the faster notes or there is an obvious gap between them.

Sorry I have no music background xD.

[pied_piper]

Don't worry, those are not stupid questions!

Q1- Your observation is correct that some notes have the same fingereing. To play the lower notes, the air stream is slower while for the higher notes the air stream must be faster. Also, the air direction must change a bit. For the lower notes, you will blow slightly more into the flute while for the higher ones you will aim the air slightly higher. These are not dramatic changes. Experiment by playing the low E and begin to move the air faster while you aim the air higher - the note should change to the next higher E. As a visual aid, hold the end of a coffee stirrer between your lips. With only your mouth, make the other end of the coffee stirrer move up and down. That's very similar to what you do while playing.

Q2 - When notes are slurred (joined), you simply keep blowing and change the fingering or air stream. For separate notes that are not slurred (unjoined), you must keep the air moving, but you very briefly interrupt it by using your tongue as if saying "TO" or "DO". If you have several separated notes, then it would be played using your tongue as if saying "TO TO TO TO..." When notes are slurred together, only the first note is tongued. This may help you get a better picture of what to do: http://www.jennifercluff.com/articu1.htm#clear

[Guenhwyvar]

Thanks that's really helpful

[littlesavedgirl]

Don't worry, those are not stupid questions!

Q1- Your observation is correct that some notes have the same fingereing. To play the lower notes, the air stream is slower while for the higher notes the air stream must be faster. Also, the air direction must change a bit. For the lower notes, you will blow slightly more into the flute while for the higher ones you will aim the air slightly higher. These are not dramatic changes. Experiment by playing the low E and begin to move the air faster while you aim the air higher - the note should change to the next higher E. As a visual aid, hold the end of a coffee stirrer between your lips. With only your mouth, make the other end of the coffee stirrer move up and down. That's very similar to what you do while playing.

Q2 - When notes are slurred (joined), you simply keep blowing and change the fingering or air stream. For separate notes that are not slurred (unjoined), you must keep the air moving, but you very briefly interrupt it by using your tongue as if saying "TO" or "DO". If you have several separated notes, then it would be played using your tongue as if saying "TO TO TO TO..." When notes are slurred together, only the first note is tongued. This may help you get a better picture of what to do: http://www.jennifercluff.com/articu1.htm#clear

That actually was very helpful to me as well, thanks!