i have just started playing the tipple flute for a few days, i can make a decent tone sometimes , but i’ve run into a few problems.. firstly, i’m playing the second octave slightly too sharp, that’s probably because i’m blowing harder to reach the higher notes, but i cant’ seem to reach them by just tightening the embouchure, and although i don’t have much problems reaching low D, it sounds a little scratchy when i play it, any advice?
yer doin’ fine…keep at it
sounding like Matt Molloy takes, at least, two full weeks
Mastering the flute takes lots of time and practice, and will not be learned over night.
I recommend practicing regularly, and really concentrate on the flute, since I know you play the piano and whistles as well, that might not be so easy.
But if you concentrate on the flute, you will reach your goal a lot quicker.
I am not saying you should quit playing the whistles and piano, but don’t replace the flute practice sessions with practice of another instrument.
The big obstacle for most (or all?) people is the embouchure.
You have to strengthen the muscles that surround your mouth, the same muscles that are used when you smile, mainly the Orbicularis oris muscle and Buccinator muscle.
If you practice the flute at least 1 hour each day, it will still take many months at least until you get a tone that is acceptable.
And most people are not satisfied with their tone before a couple of yours of playing, while some players never reach their goal for perfectionistic reasons.
In the beginning your Orbicularis oris muscle tend to cramp, as it is too weak, and is not used to be contracted for such long periods of time.
As you progress you will get a tighter embouchure, and thus use less amounts of air in the process.
With a tight embouchure you will soon master the second octave as well.
This illustrates the principles of embouchure and pressure fairly well:
it might be a bit confusing.
a and c: first octave
b and d: second octave
oh feck
I’m sorry if my attempt at explaining it is more confusing than helping 
I guess it also helps to have a basic understanding of physics to make sense of it.
I think that it would have been better if the graphic fit on the screen. 
I’ve know quite a few physics, I has…
Yeah, I guess it was rather enormous. I have resized it now.
Yep, that’s better for me18181
BTW: you can embed the little picture in a link to a big one like this
[url=http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/5092/waterbottle_big.jpg][img]http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/5092/waterbottle.jpg[/img][/url]
Thanks for the tip. I didn’t know that
But it’s not necessary now that I have resized it.
Love your recordings, especially Last Of The Starrs, which I’ve downloaded. I’m going to find the notation then listen to your sample until I can play it that well. Thank you.
K.
I’ve heard of people blowing into a flute for a month + before they got a decent sound or any sound. You’re zooming along.
Thank you very much, Sandra!
Please post your version of the tune when you feel confident enough to record it.
Rino
yeah, i’m lucky i guess also i play the chinese bamboo flute for quite awhile before starting on the irish flute, so that probably has something to do with it.. but i find that the embouchures are worlds apart, after practising on the tipple, i’ve almost totally lost my dizi embouchure, not that i care much ^^ the thing sounds screechy.. i’ve had real problems even reaching the second octave on the dizi, no so for the tipple
Try playing your lower octave G, A, or B, and then thrusting out your lower lip or lower jaw just a little bit more. This directs the airstream a little higher, and (for me, anyways) facilitates a shift to the 2nd octave. It’s a really subtle motion; do not overdo it. When you get the hang of it, you should be able to get the 2nd octave without tightening or blowing harder, and, (unlike low whistles) you’ll be able to play the 2nd octave much softer than the 1st octave if you choose.
Speaking of tightening up - I do that now mostly on the lower notes, because then I use less air.