What's the hardest note to learn?

pandagirl11 · Post by **pandagirl11** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:46 am

In your opinion, which note is the most difficult to learn? Why? Which note do you think is the easiest to learn? Why?

Now...to answer my own question. =P I think (I've only had 3 lessons so far so not much to choose from) the hardest note for me was E2/E3. Those notes just keep cracking and E3 sounds so shrill. >_< The easiest one is definitely D1 for me with D2/D3 coming in at a close second.

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 2:45 pm

Hmm... so far, E4. But simply because I can't remember the fingering, since it's only been in a few pieces I've played to this point. Without checking, I think it's LH1 LH2 1/2-hole for LH3 (need open-hole flute), second trill key and RH3. It's in the Honegger Sonata for violin (that'd be me for this occasion lol) and cello, which I'm playing with my husband. There's a phrase which is almost all so low (much of it below middle C) it just sounds better an octave higher. However, then the end of the phrase, which is E3, would then be E4

.Oh, well, it CAN be done, I guess...

biggzh · Post by **biggzh** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:56 am

F# 4.......... I can barely play D# 4, let alone get up to the F# (I can get whistle tones, but not the note itself).

monkey · Post by **monkey** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:17 pm

I SIMPLY LOVE HIGH NOTES!!! THEY R SO FUN 2 PLAY!!! I DESPISE low notes!! i allwasys forget them like below b flat! but high notes rock!!!!

Jim_P · Post by **Jim_P** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:16 pm

On Boehm flute, I'd say not counting the fourth octave, probably either the third-octave E or the B above it. (I'm told that B won't even play on some makes of piccolo.) The easiest note range for a beginner is probably anything in the second octave.

Best wishes,

--James

auletes83 · Post by **auletes83** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:02 am

I've also had lots of trouble playing the second octave E and F-sharp. A great exercise to improve your skills on these notes is found in Trevor Wye's practice book 1 (Tone), on pages 22-23. You should also try the exercises that use these notes as their starting points in "Attack and slurring of notes" from Marcel Moyse's _De la sonorite_. While ineffective at improving your tone on these notes, the exercises from the Moyse will greatly increase your accuracy. Good luck!

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:59 pm

F4 - I played a Gary Schocker piece on my Masters recital that ended with F4, as well as ending the entire recital. I had a hard time remembering the fingering right up to the day of the hearing. I nailed it on the recital! People in the department are still talking about the final note of the evening

I also have a hard time remembering C#4. It just seems very awkward to me. One of my favorite pieces to play is Rhonda Larson's Lament, and it has this C#.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:48 am

The Altissmo range (above C3) is not very forgiving period. Everything flows till you get to Eb, then it all kind of falls apart. You almost have to finger the notes depending on the arrangement you play, especially above G3. The fingerings just have no real flow.

Other than that, just fingering notes and playing them is really no problem. A good question is what is the hardest scale to play in the altissmo range.....lol

Phineas

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:45 am

id say E3, not the fingerings, but geting the sounds out & getting it 2 sound good

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:49 am

That's a hard one for MANY people, so don't feel alone! Intonation is usually an issue on E as well. My performance flute has a split E (that helps a lot), but it effects intonation on other notes and makes a few alternate fingerings not work

The best option, really, is to work on long tones and overtones to train your embouchure to the correct position, and never let the air stop flowing (but don't overblow). Eventually, it will be as beautiful as the rest!

FltnPicc_David · Post by **FltnPicc_David** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 7:35 pm

I love the high notes because I find them to be very fun. I have trouble getting out my DOUBLE Bb - DOUBLE C above the scale without getting airy and dry but sometimes I can sound pleasantly sweet on them...i need to work on those

Band_Geek · Post by **Band_Geek** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:29 pm

I also enjoy playing the high notes. The hardest high note for me was playing F on the 3rd octave. Its T1-3|1--. Very awkward fingerings for the flute.

FltnPicc_David · Post by **FltnPicc_David** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 11:12 am

Really awkward but I have no problem with that note whatsoever. I do have a tendency to go horribly sharp when I play it on the Piccolo.

FruityFlutie · Post by **FruityFlutie** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 10:57 pm

I find the lower register of the flute quite beautiful, personally. Honestly, any register on the flute is gorgeous! After working on clarity for a little while, that wasn't too bad.

I'm beginning to learn the 4th octave, so right now, those notes are all difficult. Heh...

FruityFlutie · Post by **FruityFlutie** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 10:58 pm

I find the lower register of the flute quite beautiful, personally. Honestly, any register on the flute is gorgeous! After working on clarity for a little while, that wasn't too bad.

I'm beginning to learn the 4th octave, so right now, those notes are all difficult. Heh...

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