Can anyone give me any tips on how to get a good low D? I realized I’ve been making a little grunting noise when starting a low D if I’m not slurring from a higher note.
Also, any ideas on how to get a good low register F natural without a key? I have no problem on a whistle, but on a flute half-holing that large hole sounds very weak and airy. Thanks.
Grey Larsen’s book is invaluable for a beginner IMHO. He explains the physics of the embouchure and gives countless exercises for tone, ornaments, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Guide-Irish-Flute-Whistle/dp/0786649429
As far as a quality low F on a keyless, my assumption is that it doesn’t exist on a large bore/large holed simple system flute. Maybe in those baroque’ish creatures with tiny holes and bores…?
For the low D, see the “help on tone” thread on this page.
For a large holed flute, the only option for an Fnatural is half-holing. For me it’s by far the easiest note to half-hole. You pretty much do the same thing as on the whistle, except that the embouchure also comes into play. One bit of advice someone once gave me that I found useful was to lift up the finger (straighten it or roll it) until the note sounds too sharp, then blow a little more downward. Another thing is that the note will always be veiled; blowing harder to make it sound clearer is a common mistake and if done improperly will just make it sharp again. It takes a little practice, but you’ll get the hang of it. Do your best, but accept that it will be a veiled note that has a different character than an F#.
Low D is a great note, but it takes time and practice. Also it depends on the sort of flute you have.
Sometimes it’s helpful to life the chin a bit and blow down into the hole. Sometimes
it’s helpful not to lift the chin and to blow a focused stream of air over the hole,
aiming at the outside edge. It’s interesting, doing that, to try to balance the
note between the octaves–you get a ‘hard’ sound.
If you spend a few minutes each day just on that note
it will be rewarded. Generally what improves your embouchure will help the low
D.
The F natural can be played by rocking the finger to the left (the headjoint end) of the flute.
You can get a pretty good note. Again practicing just that note is a good idea.
Generally problems like these sort out as your embouchure improves.
I had given up on that low F but I will go back and try these methods and see if I can get a note I can live with. Thanks guys.
I’d suggest that your mind is thinking about a low tone, and that your body is trying to make that low tone, in your throat.
You indeed are not alone in doing so, BTW, and it indeed does call for a transition, to go from a human voice, to a flute voice.
Yes, as a flute player you will speak, but not with your human voice!
Unless, of course, you could be an Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, or of some such.
Thanks to all. I have Grey’s book which is excellent. The tip on blowing down more into the hole is helping a lot. I’m getting a decent low D more often now (fewer grunts).
Also, try reading through some of the excellent information on Terry McGee’s website. Especially “Gunn on Tone” and the excerpts from Nicholson. Lots of good, specific stuff on how to get that dark, reedy tone…
Clinton
try grunting & drooling more… ; )
but seriously - I do that too - unconsciously - cracks me up when I notice I’m doing it & wonder if anyone heard… guess that means you’re taking it seriously which is good. I think if you just stick with it eventually everything will find it’s place. That’s what I’m hoping for me.
Best,
Deisman
I don’t know. I’ve been playing six years
and I’m still grunting and drooling.
Sometimes one, sometimes the other,
mostly both.