Hi I’m having a problem with my bottom D, although its seems to be a problem with the flute rather than technique.
I have a sam murray flute - approx 12years old - that has the normal flat low D, but a hard rasping bottom D is nearly impossible. I originally thought it was my technique, but I recently met Stephen Doherty (mayo flutest that plays with Grada - All ireland winner) and he played the flute also and suggested there is some thing wrong with it.
The tone just doesn’t fill up when playing the bottom D, almost cracking. I’ve tried taping the keys (5 keys) to prevent air leakage but still no joy.
The actual blowing hole on the head joint has slightly rounded edges (due to age and wear) could this be the problem?
I’ve tried looking down the head to check the cork stop condition but is difficult to see. Could this play and part to the problem?
Any advice would be welcomed
Have you tried adjusting the stopper position a little ways in either direction? That’d be my next step.
Check the cork position - around 23mm is what I use.
Check all thread or cork wrappings, including the fit of the headjoint cork. If these are loose, then that could be the source of your problem.
Then check the keys. One can also tape over holes and see if the D is restored. If so, then its likely a faulty pad, or a loose spring, or maybe a misalignment.
Has the flute been properly oiled recently?
Don’t mess with the embouchure!
If all else fails send it back to the maker for servicing. It may be that the bore has shrunk some and this could diminish the bottom D some.
Casey
Also check the tuning slide, if it’s too loose it will leak air…
Yup, all the above, but first of all suck test the head and check the cork position.
Gents, thanks for the advice.
I’ll work my way through the advice.
Casey, just to confirm is that 23mm from the first lip of the embouchure?
Jem, suck test the head joint? What’s this?
Thanks again…
Casey, just to confirm is that 23mm from the first lip of the embouchure?
You alway measure from the centre of the emb hole.
suck test the head joint? What’s this?
You take off the barrel, you cover the emb hole with a finger and you such air from the tuning slide. If it’s not leaking, there will be no air in the bore (I think it’s called vacuum in English), so when you take off your finger from the hole it should make a sound, like when you open champagne. Add the barrel to the headjoint to check if there’s a leak from the tuning slide.
You can do this test with every part of the flute, just make sure that you’re covering all the holes.
If you keep sucking air from one part, you have a leak…