As a result of playing whistle I wanted to learn flute. I bought an Olwell bamboo flute in G at the Maryland RenFest on labor day.
I can play a simple tune but I have trouble with the second octave. What is a good way to develop what I need to do to move into the second octave without squawking and squealing.
The second problem is sometimes I go up the scale and coming back down I lose the 2 lowest notes. What can I practice to get past this.
Are flutes as addictive as whistles.
Ron
Hi Ron,
I certainly am no authority on flute performance, but it has been my experience that beginning players of the flute have more difficulty with the second octave on a smaller G flute than they do with the standard low D Irish flute. My answer is that the higher pitched notes of the second octave of the G flute take a more controlled embouchure, and while this may by problematic in the beginning, it will develop with time. I’m sure others on the forum can tell you exactly how to improve the second octave notes. My answer is to keep practicing. The more controlled embouchure will come with time.
My answer to your last question is “yes” the flute can be as addictive as the whistle, and even more so. The flute has greater potential for expressivness, and you can keep becoming a better player each year of your life.
Happy fluting!
I had this problem for some time – I either had to blow my brains out to get the upper notes or had to play with almost no volume to hit the lower notes. Some flutes are for sure easier than others in this respect (varies player to player), and I’m with Doug that the G bamboo is probably tougher toward the top than your typical D flute.
There are a couple of exercises that my once and future teacher gave me that I feel really helped. Don’t expect results in days, possibly not even in weeks.
The first exercise is trying to get a good attack on a note. Take a breath and blow out a fairly brief puff of air (maybe a second or two). Start on an easy note. The goal is to get the note sounding properly, in the first octave, as soon as you start blowing. n Do this for a few minutes, taking breaths between every few notes. Once you get an easy note (like G, A, or F) move to the low-D or the B or C#. This will get you a good solid first octave.
The second will get you a better second octave. Blow the low-D, and gradually tighten and focus your airstream till the middle D sounds, then further till the second A, third D, and possibly a higher note sounds. The important thing here is not to move any more air – more pressure, more focussed, but the same amount of air as in the first octave.
Some other things to do are long notes, playing with embouchure, airflow, etc., to get the sound you want. Try this playing before a mirror – maybe tilt your head back a little so that you can see the exact shape of your mouth. Try to figure out what you’re doing with your mouth to get the note and sound that you want.
Best of luck – you’re in for a difficult but very rewarding journey.
I’ve tried many of the suggestions found in various threads on this forum for getting the 2nd octave, but have finally decided it just takes time. I’m getting noticeably better every couple of weeks and on some days now can hit them pretty consistantly.
Give it 6 months to a year and you’ll probably feel much better about the 2nd octave. If it’s already been 6 months to a year, practice more. 
I’ve been working on the flute for about a year but have been devoting more time to it in the past 6 months. The first 6 months I wasn’t good enough for it to be fun.
-Brett
try the board archives. there’s quite a bit of discussion of this. e.g.:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=21943
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=21685
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=20457
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=20041
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=19769
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=18815
Thanks a lot. The info has helped already. The links were great. I almost bought the D flute but I love the sound of a G whistle so I thought it would be nice. I guess if I can learn to play the G then moving to a D will be easy. Although evrything else I have thought has been wrong.
Ron