Flute Alignment & Embouchure Hole direction

[flutego12]

It is embarassing to ask such a fundamental question.

For 17months, I'd been trundling along thinking flute alignment was the least of my problems, consistently setting it to what my first teacher (reputable in area) taught me which was align the middle of the embouchure hole to the middle of the footjoint tone holes - hence, a "little rolled out". Went for 3 lessons at the end of 2011. With this alignment, I experimented for myself and tended to roll in my flute considerably to achieve a good tone (no wonder I had balance problems!). Well from there I "thought" I went on to "master" my tone there - focusing on little else but tone and lyrical pcs.

Then came last Wed when I went for a lesson with a young teacher, he said the embouchure hole had to be facing the ceiling with not too much rolled in. Hvg said tht his tone & technique is beautiful. BUT I LANGUISHED, spluttering and squeaking. No where near my "beautiful tone" =( However, he did pick up on my buzz due to wrong alignment.

The next day, I checked in with a new teacher who moved into the street, a conservatory veteran - teacher of teachers etc etc, who accepted me without an audition... well lucky me... (haaaa...sign of relief), she CORRECTED MY FLUTE ALIGNMENT to my great embarrassment, (what I thought was the least of my problem turned out to be a major source of my challenges) - she aligned it to what I googled to be the Altes Complete Method recommendation - where the blowing (far) edge is aligned to the middle of the first little key. WHOA! REALLY TURNED IN!!!! BUT consistent to Galway's "blowing into the flute".... but HOW EASY TO GET A GOOD TONE! BUT, I HAVE EMBOUCHURE WORK ON THE SIDE TO RECTIFY. No more goldfish kisses (ok I cheat), no more recalcitrant tongue, a more disciplined embouchure! In correctional facility getting sorted, but a very promising future!

Sages please comment... I am shocked/ amazed/ horrified/ in awe at the same time. How could there be such a big difference in playing styles? What are your experiences and chosen playing styles and why? I guess Roger Mather is right in saying there is such diverse opinions... what are yours?

[Zevang]

Flutego, it took me years until I realized it was actually necessary to look at the alignment of the headjoint. When I finally did, I accepted the fact (and so I was told) that if I turned in the embouchure hole by realigning the HJ, the tone would really come out more easily. But there would be also a loss in volume and color changing abilities. When I tried to over align the HJ to the outer side, turning it out, I really could have more flexibility on crescendos and diminuendos, but the tone would come out too much bright, I mean, more to the crispy side.
So, I tried to manage it aligning the middle of the embouchure hole with the main body keys (or with the C Foot mech tube *) and the variations I needed to get a good tone and flexibility in colors and dynamics I had to work out with my lips.

* I said that, because I have B Foot Joint on my flutes, which have longer D# keys, and I have to align the FJ using the Mech Tubes a bit to the front, because I have pretty long fingers

[flutego12]

Flutego, it took me years until I realized it was actually necessary to look at the alignment of the headjoint. When I finally did, I accepted the fact (and so I was told) that if I turned in the embouchure hole by realigning the HJ, the tone would really come out more easily. But there would be also a loss in volume and color changing abilities. that's no good right? unless playing baroque where there's less colouring and dynamics at work(?)When I tried to over align the HJ to the outer side, turning it out, I really could have more flexibility on crescendos and diminuendos, but the tone would come out too much bright, I mean, more to the crispy side.hm.
So, I tried to manage it aligning the middle of the embouchure hole with the main body keys (or with the C Foot mech tube *) and the variations I needed to get a good tone and flexibility in colors and dynamics I had to work out with my lips.got it! ... I think that's what I've been doing the past months (my first teacher was right) except why is there a diff whether it's C or B foot as you seem to suggest below? ... that explains why my second teacher had a big full tone and my third teacher was perhaps helping in sympathy because I was spluttering so much trying to adjust to teacher No 2 with whom I had lessons the night before!

* I said that, because I have B Foot Joint on my flutes, which have longer D# keys, and I have to align the FJ using the Mech Tubes a bit to the front, because I have pretty long fingers

I suppose I have to accept that flute playing is not so much a science as an art form and have as much variation in playing styles as tone colours and players' physical attributes!

So,... would it be fair to say that, a student starts out in one position and as one progresses, one get's to play around with preferences to match one's repertoire? What about exams will the examiner be flexible or rigid about "right alignments"?

[Zevang]

I suppose I have to accept that flute playing is not so much a science as an art form and have as much variation in playing styles as tone colours and players' physical attributes!

So,... would it be fair to say that, a student starts out in one position and as one progresses, one get's to play around with preferences to match one's repertoire? What about exams will the examiner be flexible or rigid about "right alignments"?

I think so. I'd agree with you. A good and solid base is what beginners need desperately.
And I believe very much that examiners are not quite interested in the "visual" effect (assuming it's nothing exagerated, of course) of a player, but in the sounding results that one can produce. I keep remembering Itzhak Perlman, that huge violinist, who used to play (and live... ) in a wheelchair. He played so amazing solos that you could close your eyes and completely forget he was in the stage using his wheelchair, in front of a whole orchestra.

[flutego12]

I suppose I have to accept that flute playing is not so much a science as an art form and have as much variation in playing styles as tone colours and players' physical attributes!

So,... would it be fair to say that, a student starts out in one position and as one progresses, one get's to play around with preferences to match one's repertoire? What about exams will the examiner be flexible or rigid about "right alignments"?

I think so. I'd agree with you. A good and solid base is what beginners need desperately.
And I believe very much that examiners are not quite interested in the "visual" effect (assuming it's nothing exagerated, of course) of a player, but in the sounding results that one can produce. I keep remembering Itzhak Perlman, that huge violinist, who used to play (and live... ) in a wheelchair. He played so amazing solos that you could close your eyes and completely forget he was in the stage using his wheelchair, in front of a whole orchestra.

I'll remember that - audio on visual off!