ok, hi! i'm 15 and have played trumpet for 7 years now, and i also play xylo, and piano. for christmas i recieved a flute, because i've always wanted to learn a woodwind, so any advice? because i need it. lol, that and i can do low notes great, but how so i get high notes to come out easier? thanks so much!
1) get a good teacher.
2) for high notes use a little bit more air thin on low. (Do it by changing your embroshure)
What are you using to lerne flute? (Books, Computer)
Don't use more air for higher pitches. Direct it upward more and increase air speed. Blowing harder is no way to get the higher pitches. Your embouchure probably will not need to make major changes to get the upper registers. Lera's right about the teacher. At the very least, get a few lessons here at the beginning so you can get the basics down. It's very difficult to unlearn bad habits once you've learned them, and some bad habits can actually lead to serious problems, like carpal tunnel or RSI's if they're allowed to continue. Other than that, the best advice I can give is PRACTICE! Flute, just like any instrument, is very difficult to learn to play well, and the only way to overcome the challenges is through practice and experience. If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask. We'll be glad to try to help. Good luck!
Keep practising trumpet as well - otherwise you trumpet embouchure will suffer. Even an hour a week (ideally including some practice every day) will help. You will need a few minutes for the appropriate muscles to fully relax before switching instruments...
oh yeah there's no way i'm going to stop trumpet, that will continue to be my principle instrument. i just want to dabble in flute as well, nothing immensly serious, but enough so that i don't sound dumb
keep the corners of your mouth outward like you're smiling. i still have problems remembering that and my band teacher won't stop telling me lol. it helps with the sound. Don't slouch and sit or stand up strait while playing that also helps with the sound. I've been playing flute for 3 years and also like they said don't overblow. It turns out to be way out of tune and it doesn't come out as the note, comes out as a squeak. It can get hard at times but pretty soon you'll be earplaying like me.
Re: Someone Please Help ME 14:50 on Monday, January 01, 2007
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Account Closed (3248 points)
keep the corners of your mouth outward like you're smiling
I know that is what you were told, but that is incorrect and you should not be using a smiley type embouchure. So please be careful about what advice you are giving out.
It continues to baffle me on what some band directors tell flutist to do. They are told to do it that way, and then later on have to end up fixing the damage.
well i learned flute for a year on my own before i got an actual teacher and my advice is to get one ASAP becuase I have improved so much in the past 3 months
also congrats.....it's a VERY fun instrument and I hope you enjoy it!!!!!!!!
just practice and practice.....it is how i got so far in a year
Re: Someone Please Help ME 15:06 on Monday, January 01, 2007
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Account Closed (3248 points)
omg i feel so stupid for that advice. i'm only in 8th grade
Hey, don't worry about it. There has been worst things passed on by band directors in this group. You live and learn. A private teacher is a great suggestion. I also like Patricks comment. lol!!!