hey,
I've been playing the flute for 2 years. I taught myself the first year since the band director didn't know much about flutes, but I have been going to private classes this year. I had been able to play middle C and C# until about 4 months ago. I don't know if I lost the ability because I might have stopped practicing or because my flute fell. My fluttie fell when I grabbed the case (with the flute inside), and i didn't notice that it was still open. From that time, some of the keys were not closing properly, but my teacher managed to fix them. Still, the keys on the foot joint don't close at the same time. Might this have anything to do with me not being able to play C considering that the keys of my teacher's flute don't close so well either? Or am I not blowing correctly? oh, but I was able to play the notes when my teacher pressed down the keys....so is there any way in which I can close the keys properly? It's like I need a longer pinkie or something
What might be the problem? and how can I fix it?

Based on your description, it is almost certainly a small leak somewhere along the line. Because the Low C (C1, middle C, whatever you want to call it) requires that every key be sealed to sound, a leak anywhere along the mechanism could make it extremely difficult to play this pitch. Since you were able to play with your teacher pressing on the footjoint keys, but not otherwise, the problem most likely lies there. However, it's difficult to know without actually seeing the flute. Take it to a repair tech and see what they have to say, and for future notice, most flute teachers have no training in flute repair, so unless your teacher is an exception, it's probably best to take the flute to a competent tech, as someone fiddling with it that doesn't have a clear idea of what they are doing could actually cause additional problems.

Low C is always difficult to play, unless you are quite very advanced or a pro, I guess.

Apart from probable mechanical problems due to the fall you must have it checked by a good technician), it is not unusual to lose the ability to make that particular note sing after some time without playing it, specially if you have been concentrating on the higher notes. At least, this happens to me.

Pressure, air flow, embouchure, all must change for the last lower notes and we must re-learn those after some time without practising them.

That is one reason why daily working of scales is so important!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!
the thing is that in Belize (where i am) i don't think there is a flute technician...so....is there any way in which i can somehow not fix but try to make the keys go down better?

I'm sure somewhere in Belize there is a flute technician. But without really knowing exactly what is wrong with the flute, it's really not possible for us to make any particularly useful suggestions. If you can't find a repair tech, perhaps your teacher or another flute playe.r can do something for you

ok...I'll see if i find a tech maybe in Mexico...THANK YOU!

No problem! Glad to help!

Here's a flute tech in Mexico:

Flautas Heredia
Reparación de Instrumentos Musicales
Rolando Gonzalez Heredia
Honduras 54 Col. Venustiano Carranza.
C.P. 91070 Xalapa, Ver.
Cel. (228) 9 79 32 15
E-mail: flautasheredia@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.geocities.com/flautasheredia

I have a problem with that note too. I have no trouble getting it out, it just doesn't sound quick enough.

But, yeah I agree with every one else. It's most likely a leak.

Middle C, or the lowest C on a C-flute is indeed difficult to play. First, check to make sure you don't have a leak. Other than that it just takes a lot of practice, varying your breath and embrouchure(sp?). As long as it isn't a leak and you have a lot of practice time, you'll get it! Good luck!

My turn to ask what sp? means. I se it often but can't find in urban dictionary. Results is "undefined"

My turn to ask what sp? means. I see it often but can't find in urban dictionary. Results is "undefined"

Hey Jose Luis, that "sp?" thing indicates that the author is unsure of their spelling. For instance, in the post from TrueFlute above, she is not sure if she spelled embouchure correctly, so just to let us know that she wasn't sure, she added the "sp?"

Thanks, I should have guessed it, but... no.

hey again, hehe...there's one problem with the technician in Mexico...i can only go as far as Chetumal...i dont think he is there...right?
well thanks again for the help!!