Hey everyone:

I`m having a bit of a problem with tonality. Every time I play my flute, it sounds really airy, instead of a strong note, I get something that sounds like it`s almost empty, you get me? I can`t seem to get it to sound as strong as I would like it to, no matter how I place my lips over the mouthpiece. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Julie

Try experimenting with the speed of the airflow as well as your embouchure. Also pratice on easier notes first such as B,A and G as the lower notes are harder to get. Work on concentrating where your air is going - this should help make the notes sound less `airey`. It`s not so much how MUCH you blow as overblowing also doesn`t give a good tone, it`s just what you do with the air and your lips.
*also check all yours keys on your flute are working properly because if a key isn`t sealing you get the same sort of sound*

The problem could be your tuning. Most cleaning rods have a line at one end of the bar. If you put the rod in your head joint, and look into your embouchore. If the line is in the middle of your embouchure, your flute is tuned correctly. If not, retune(one time I forgot my cleaning rod, and I was using a paper towel to clan my middle joint, but had to leave. I was having sound porblems the next day, only to have my band teacher tell me that there was a paper towel wad stuck in my flute!)

Do you have an open holed flute. If you do, you need to place all your fingers over the holes. If that`s a problem get plugs for them.
If it`s been persisted since you started you might want to try putting your fingers over the key/your mouth over the hole differently. If it still doesn`t work bring it to your band director or a music shop to get it looked at. If nothings wrong with it then, try to get another flautist to watch you while you play and tell you what`s wrong.
Much luck!