switching notes

[flutegirl49]

I don't know if I had this problem before..
but I'm having trouble changing notes clearly.. usually going from high to low.. or switching between high notes.. sometimes the note splits (?)

is there a way to work on this.. through certain exercises or songs?
I remember one reason I was cracking on the E to A was because it was because of the way a flute is built.. its just going to be harder.. but im having a little trouble w/ some other notes too.

any ideas?

[boglarka]

The high E A problem can be helped if you lift your right pinkie off the D# key when playing E (although you need it depressed when playing A).

As far as the other splitting problems go...

Splitting: in my understanding (and without hearing you), this might be happening when you're sounding both octaves at the same time. If this is the case, then you need to aim your air more accurately (for the higher octave, aim higher). Practice octaves on all the notes you know, if this is indeed your problem.

If your problem is cracking down a 5th (sounding lower than your intended third register notes), then you're still having air aiming and air pressure problems but of different sorts. Try the following exercise:

Finger low G. Sound low G, middle G, then a high D without changing your fingering. Hold this "fake" D and now adjust your fingers to an actual high D fingering. You will notice the pitch and clarity of the D get better as soon as you use the fingering you have learned.

Finger low A. Sound low A, middle A, then a high E without changing your fingering. Hold this fake E, and now adjust your fingers to an actual high E fingering.

You can do this exercise from G to about C chromatically. When you are not changing your fingers but are sounding a different note (e.g. fingering G, sounding high D), you are playing notes in the overtone series of the fundamental note (in this example, G).

Fingerings in the third register are simply cross-fingerings that put these high notes better in tune than just overblowing the fundamentals.

Practicing this exercise might help you develop your lip muscles better, as well as teach you how to aim you air and how much air pressure you truly need to sound good on the high notes.

I hope this was helpful. It's tough to describe exercises without being able to give you an audio sample or without hearing your actual problem...but nevertheless, good luck!

[flutegirl49]

I don't think I had this problem before.. it's not a BIG problem.. but sometimes it can interrupt the clarity of my notes..

I'm now playing a different flute then before.. its open hole.. does this effect it in this way?

Anyhow thank you SO much for those suggestions.. i will definately use them.. thank you!!

[Amateur_Flautist]

It's possible that you're not getting your fingers on the keys all the way. Try the switching notes slowly while paying careful attention to whether your fingers cover the holes.