humming

[ckee]

I am learning to play the flute. Just got my flute this past Friday. For some reason when I play notes (in particular lower notes), I seem to be doing some kind of humming as I blow into the embrochure hole. It is just something that seems to happen. I need to stop this and am wondering if anyone might have any suggestions. I have trouble getting much sound from lower notes such as C and I think I unconsciously do this sort of hum as I blow. Is there something that I can do to stop this so that the sound comes totally from the flute and not partly from me? Do I need to do something different in my blowing? You've probably never received as silly a question as this, but hopefully someone might can give me some pointers. I really do like the flute very much. I am not in a band and do not plan to be in one. I just enjoy playing music at home for my own pleasure. I still want to learn to play the flute the best I can though no matter if I do mainly play just at home.

Carol K

[LaDanseuse]

I don't understand.... So instead of putting air through your mouth, you put air through your nose so that you are singing instead of the flute? Because it's near impossible to breathe out of both nose and mouth.... at least for me, it takes quite a lot of concentration!

Um, I really don't know what to say other than make sure all the air is coming out of the right hole, and that would be your mouth. To get a fuller sound, you also want to keep your throat open (have your ever sang? it's about the same thing) and use your diaphragm to expel the air, creating a steady, firm airstream.

I'm glad you decided to play flute! Music is a wonderful, fun, and immensely rewarding experience!

[FltnPicc_David]

Weird. I used to do that same humming when I played but for some reason I have stopped....only ever since Mr.Klein (my band director) gave us breathing lessons, though...I'll ask him.

[Starqle]

I just wanted to let you know that it's not a silly question. I just started college this year, and currently flute is listed as one of my majors. Nevertheless, I seem to do this, too, when I start these low notes. I never noticed until my professor/private teacher pointed it out. According to her, it's quite common.

Unfortunately, I don't know how to stop doing it. For now, she wants me to just notice when I do it, saying that we'll get rid of it later. Maybe relaxing your throat will help...?

[Amateur_Flautist]

When I first started playing, I hummed on my flute, mostly on lower notes, just as you say you do. First off, you must understand that playing a flute is not the same concept as singing, just in case you're a singer, and that's the reason you might be doing this. Something you might to is set your mouth in the embouchure and just breath out slow air, and bring the flute to your mouth without changing anything, and have it at a low note fingering. You should end up playing a low note without the hum. If that works, get used to the feel, and you'll be just fine in no time.

[hummingbird]

I have the same problem hummed playing the low notes.

I just got a new flute. The low notes are easier to play using this better flute, so I don't humm as much.
I thought I was the only one hummed!