Just got my flute, is low C supposed to be hard?

[leafblower]

I've been practicing just getting to play the notes properly. I only tried playing up to middle C#, which is quite easy. However, going lower it becomes harder. I think I only managed to make low C like once so far. Is normal that the lowest notes are difficult? I actually can't make low D without playing a higher note first. I can play low E without doing that but only half the time. For F upwards, I can play them straight.

My flute is a used Artley Symphony. Guy told me the pads are fresh, which are pretty white. Crown is also replaced. He had a musical instrument repairman do it.

[pied_piper]

Do you know another flutist? If so, have him/her try your flute to see if it is playing OK. It's difficult to diagnose your problem remotely and determine if it's you or your flute.

If not, since you said you can play F and higher notes lets try an experiment. Play G and without changing your lips or how you blow, add the RH first finger to play F. Then do the same from F to E to D. Try this several times slowly and aim for consistent air stream and keep everything except the fingers the same. Does that work or do the notes tend to jump up to the higher octave? If that works, then it is probably just that you need more time to adjust to playing the lower notes. If it jumps to the higher octave, you may have a leak someplace in the flute. In that case, try pressing the keys down with more pressure and see if the lower notes come out easier. If they do, then there is definitely a leak.

Try those experiments and let us know what happens.

[leafblower]

Hmm... I don't really know any flautist. The guy I bought it from isn't a flute player (just a sax player). He could only play a few notes for me which doesn't count low C. He showed me a video of the repairman playing a tune with it, though I don't remember which notes he used. It was up to second octave at best.

I can't test it till about 11 hours later though, but I actually usually do that. I can produce G down to E with the same air stream; it's my most reliable way of playing the lower notes.

From what I remember, I can only produce middle C->E with the lower fingerings by blowing much harder. Back then, I also tested for leaks by pressing down on all holes that close down with extra finger pressure. It was still the same result, so I just assumed I needed extra practice.

[pied_piper]

Read these and see if it helps.

Check your flute:
http://www.jennifercluff.com/check.htm

Helpful hints for adult flute beginners:
http://www.jennifercluff.com/adultinfo.htm

[326]

Might be a simple technique problem... I was having massive problems with most of my lower register until I actually realized how I SHOULD do it.
To me it helps to think that I got to blow downwards. Just do a lot of experimenting and that should do the trick.. Unless it IS the flute.

[evrmre]

The simple answer is that low C can indeed be hard, especially starting out (I had some probs with it for a while). Getting a flautist to try the instrument is a good idea, especially as it has had repairs, but it may indeed be technique and practice that make the difference, if all else is equal...

[reactolite]

As a recent beginner I initially had great problems with low C. My first flute was unbranded and bought cheap second hand and did not play low C at all. The second flute was a Yamaha 211s again bought used and fairly cheap and although I could (just) get low C out of it was not easy as it was in a very poor state and so I decided to cut my losses and sell it off for spares. My third and present flute is a used Yamaha 211s bought at a reasonable price which I have just had serviced and now I can play C quite easily and I really think that all the minor leaks it initially had prevented the low register notes performing as they should. The service cost was reasonable and well worth the money as my flute is now a delight to play. As a beginner I can say that whilst the low notes are a little harder for a beginner to play they should not be so hard as to render them virtually impossible.

[auslagger]

i would agree with reactolite (i too have a yamaha 211sII) bought cheap and used

i couldnt even hit low c on my 2nd hand flute when i first got it.
as people have siad, best to get a flautist or two to check it out(which is what i did)
they could play it , but commented the flute was a little funny.

took it in for a major service, turns out, i had 2 leaky pads, a shrunken cork, unbalanced keywork, uneven tone holes, and bent keys

i mean, i could get sound out fo the flute mostly.. but it must've been leaking all over the shop, which is why i couldnt hit quite a few notes

i can hit low C now, but its still difficult.

so id say, it could be just the flute maybe see if you can borrow someones flute and try low C ?

[Silversorcerer]

One of my best playing vintage flutes is an old 1962 Artley open hole with a silver head. It's a battered relic compared to the way yours looks, but it plays well. I think the Symphony designation came a little later. Even though these are well made and very durable these can still be out of adjustment and it will get tricky going down the scale if a pad leaks or if one or more of the keys with the adjustment screws is out of adjustment a little. Don't attempt to adjust it yourself as this is a tricky procedure and requires experience.

That said, I started learning flute less than a month ago, and the lower notes are the most difficult to get good tone for me. I found that rotating the head slightly forward and away from my lip and really pulling in my airstream from the sides more tightly, like I am whistling helps. A bit slower air speed works better for me also. It really would help for an experienced flautist or teacher to check your flute and make sure it is sealing well all the way down the pipe.

Other than that, just keep working on it. Some teachers recommend practicing in front of a mirror so that you can see what you are doing when it comes out right finally. That sort of helped me but more just building my lips up by starting higher and going down like you are already doing seemed to work the best. I think you are on the right path in that way. It took me a few weeks to get a good tone lower than D and I still have times when the C is a bit rough, but one of my jazz bandmates played the Artley and she was flying all over it, so in my case, it's definitely not the flute. The low notes are just simply more challenging.