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tenorsax13
(527 points)
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My low C doesnt come out by itself, is there something you do with your throat to do it or something? This probably sounds really amateur to all you advanced flute players, but could i get a little explanation? (im better at the higher notes. high E and up, its the low notes that i cant play worth crap.)
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emmanicole
(9 points)
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try making your mouth into a flatter shape, if that makes sense. and don't worry about sounding amateurish. i've been playing for ten years and i still remember what it's like not being able to get the low notes
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YamahaYFL381JFK
(63 points)
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Hi, my music teacher is really a sax player like you, and he now teaches as many flute students as sax students! I have never blown into a sax before, its all in the reed? For flutist, its all about embouchure! Yes indeed, the low C is not an easy note to shape nicely, I can play down to low D no problem. I started playing low C using the 'smiling embouchure' method, it worked well. I have since modified my emboucure for low C, but the 'smiling embouchure' is a good starting point! try!
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jose_luis
(1373 points)
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I cannot give much technical explanation, but just my experience.
Low C takes time to learn and much practise, one year at least and to make it sound nicely and strongly, much more time, probably over 3 or years.....
A slow attack is easier to manage; but if I have to play low C in a fast part, chances are I cannot "trigger" it in due time.
The embouchure must be perfect an adapted to what is needed for the lowest notes. This is difficult to get, when I come from 2nd or 3rd octave notes.
All the keys must be perfectly pressed (and for the low C that means ...all), as the slightest leak in any will make that note fail. The pinky, being weaker in my case, is of particular concern, as is the right position it must get to in (usually) very short time.
I find the B foot an additional difficulty compared to the C foot of my older flute. But my new flute gives a better sound quality and volume for lower notes.
<Added>
If it remains a problem, have your flute checked for leaks and/or ask your teacher to play low C herself on your flute and get his/her opinion.
Lower quality flutes can be difficult for those low notes as D and C, I have read.
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Patrick
(1442 points)
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you have to approach low notes, start say on the g above middle c and play down in half steps, long tones, say 4 counts each at 60 on the metronome till you hit c, do this everyday...
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Micron
(1364 points)
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If there are significant leaks in your flute, because of damaged pads or poor adjustment, then it will be close to impossible to play low C, even if you do blow it just right.
Put a cork in the end. Finger low C. Seal your lips around the embouchure hole. Now very gently, squirt (from the mouth, i.e. closed throat, not blow from the lungs) a mouthful of air into the flute. If your tongue does not feel that the air in the flute is pressurising and remaining pressurised, then the flute leaks.
No special embouchure is needed to make low c sound, but you must not blow as hard as you would for higher notes. However a very fussy embouchure is needed to play low c loudly.
BTW, if you are a beginner and have an open-hole flute, then you will probably find it very difficult to avoid leaks around your fingers, making low C impossible.
And take Patrick's advice. Get there gradually and methodically.
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tenorsax13
(527 points)
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yeah the flute i have is not a very good flute....its pretty old and its a student model one. it doesnt have a low B foot, and i havent got it checked for leaks since i got it. im going to buy a new flute and take all the advice ive gotten from this page to accomplish the low C. Thank you everyone!
<Added>
BTW, isnt it advanced players who get open holed flutes? Mines just got the silver pad thingys. Should i get an opened holed flute next?
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mbrowne1229
(435 points)
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if you have trouble with low notes, the following low register exercise by samuel baron is a great tool in aiding your low register to be clear and free.
its to be played at 52bpm in 4/4 slurred. then it can be played with any articulation at any speed. the first 4 notes are quarter notes, the last one a whole note.
C Ab Bb G C
C Ab Bb Gb Ab
B G# A# F# G#
B G A F# G
B G A F G
Bb G A F G
A# F# G# E# F#
A# F# G# E F#
A F# G# E F#
A F G E F
A F G Eb F
Ab F G Eb F
G# E F# D# E
G# E F# D E
G E F# D E
G Eb F D Eb
G Eb F Db Eb
F# D# E# C# D#
F# D E C# D
F# D E C D
F D E C D
F C# D# B# C#
there are other sets after this, but if you do not have a b foot, id be very surprised if they would be of any help to you.
also! MAKE SURE YOU CHECK FOR LEAKS!!!!! ive noticed the foot keys always seem to be out of line/bent on student flutes (maybe theyre easier to bend? the student is an ungrateful child and decides to bang up a $800 piece of metal? i dont know...), so make sure that one key is not ridiculously higher than the other, especially if its an older and/or used instrument.
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tenorsax13
(527 points)
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Whats a good flute for an advanced beginner like myself? Im more of a sax person, so i dont know any good flute companies that are good, or who to watch out for. Im looking in a price range of $1000-$1500.
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mbrowne1229
(435 points)
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you can never go wrong with a student yamaha. ive also become quite partial to the dean yang student flutes. both can be found for under $1000
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Kara
(2852 points)
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I sell used Yamaha student flutes quite often. I don't have any right now because I am taking a break but I can always get more in. My sellers page is on my profile.
Open holes are not just for the advanced. My top pro players play on closed hole flute. The only good about open holes is that you can shade or bend notes when playing jazz pieces.
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mbrowne1229
(435 points)
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not the only good... many alternate fingerings call for just the use of the ring on an open hole flute. makes notes clearer and more in tune many times.
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Micron
(1364 points)
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But by far the majority of flute players probably never use such alternative fingerings. They just get on and master the flute with standard fingerings.
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Micron
(1364 points)
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I suggest a student Yamaha until you are a good enough player to make a more personal choice.
A student Yamaha flute is just as good for at least the first few years of flute playing, as a Toyota Corolla is for doing the supermarket shopping. Keep things in perspective!!!
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