Embouchure. Not so hard, I guess

That last flute tech seems to be the closest one to you, in Veracruz.

These two are in Mexico D.F. which is farther, but a major city... don't know if it would be easier to get to.

Straubinger Flute Tech:
Violeta Cantu
Tezontle 138
Asuncion, Iztacalco
Mexico, D.F. 08600
Email: violetac@servidor.unam.mx

Yamaha Dealer:
Javier Rojo Gómez 1149, Col. Guadalupe del Moral
C.P. 09300, México D.F., México
Tel: (52) 55-5804-0600 Fax: (52) 55-5686-2101

There are two simple checks that are worthwhile before sending the flute anywhere. Can you play bottom C on any other flute? (This checks your playing ability) Can anyone else play bottom C on your flute? (This checks the flute).

The most common wear and tear issue that makes playing bottom C nearly impossible is that the tiny piece of cork which ensures that the bottom C roller holds down the C# key as well drops out or wears too thin. If this is the case having a friend to hold the C# key down (and the C key) will allow you to play bottom. Leaks higher up the flute (notably Eb, F# and G#)will make it much more difficult to get a good bottom C but if you can get a good D then you should be able to play C# and C some shape even with slight leaks.

In your case, because the flute was dropped there is a significant risk that the C# or C key has been bent. A good technician would attempt to realign it but even he might break the key in the process. If you have a standard make, obtaining and fitting new C and C# keys (and pads) is relatively straight forward.

Some flutes never play well down the bottom register (Yamaha 211 are usually fine) and other student flutes are unsatisfactory in the high register. Bottom C is so rare in real flute parts, that you could probably play for weeks without encountering one!

"Bottom C is so rare in real flute parts, that you could probably play for weeks without encountering one!"

C1 is not at all uncommon in flute parts. I have several solos pulled out of my stash right now, and most of them involve a C1 at least once if not more, and I've played many pieces for varying ensembles that had a C1. B1 of course, only is used in about 70 pieces, but even that is starting to change as new music comes out.

.........ok......
wow, i really you have all given me good...great advice. I'll follow your suggestions and well hopefully either fluttie will get better or maybe I'll learn how to play the note correctly
thanks!

<Added>

that "i really" doesn't belong there.oops :)

I'm glad our advice seemed helpful! Best of luck to you!

The entire summer programme (100+ pieces) of both concert bands I play with have only a handful of bottom Cs. Most of these reflect an inadequate knowlege of the flute by the arranger because if they weren't played no-one would hear because of the other parts scored at that time.

However, I would agree that scoring a solo with a bottom C is not an issue - I've even done this for a student's first concert. Solos which have technical challenges which exceed ones expectations of the player always appeal to some people.

When i was a beginner i couldn't get high notes above the regular 5 lines..(you know). and i got the low notes, like middle c. It was really weird. All my friends played higher notes with ease than playing low notes..such as middle c. but i loved to play low..
back then i was having trouble with tone..and i realized low notes was the only thing that i did really good. hehe, that was awhile ago.^_^ just wanted to share
sry, for not coming to the forum a lot u guys. i dunno..it's weird. am i lazy? haha..guess i'm addicting to myspace. Blah..:P

hehehe...
ammmm....i remember that when i was learning to play C, I used to play a "K" and it would sound ok. Now, it doesn't work. I've tried also by "slapping" the G key(is that how you call the 3rd key...the one that you press to play G?) at the same time I blow. I've tried to open my throat more, but then i catch myself making a sound...not the flute...but like...my voice comes out...wat?....yeah, like if I'm saying "oooo". It freaked me out when I noticed..hehe

btw
Flutist06, that is a great display picture!
Music, Life
Same Thing

Thanks, I'm glad you like it....It's been on my MySpace for a while, but I decided it fit my needs for a display pic here too!

try approaching low c, not just playing it, to see if you have a leak, play low d clearly and have someone push down the c# and c key on the foot.

...ok....how can i ...hmmm...not close my vocal chords??
:S

I tried approaching low C. I played D clearly, and I had my mom push down the C# key. At first I couldn't get a good sound, but after a while, i tried it alone(i pressed the #key) and it came out ok. So, C# is not giving me much trouble now. Then, I played C#, and my mom pushed the C key. I doesn't come out. I don't know if it is becuase my air gradually gets faster...
yups, I just tried it again. I tried slurring every note (including # and flats) from B downwards. Every one was good except C. Only air came out.

how can i know if fluttie has a leak higher up?