I checked out “hiss” on the search engine but didn’t find anything relating to my query. I get a small but distinct hisss on low D and E and sometimes F. When I get up over F (low register) it dissapates. It doesn’t seem to make much of a difference which flute I’m playing either.
Any clues?
Thanx,
BillG
well, the first thing I would check would be whether my fingers are covering the holes. You may think you have them covered, but the least adjustment would prove you wrong. Secondly, I have experienced this when my embouchure is sloppy. I would try focusing the air more downward. Then I would check for cracks, but I suspect it is your finger position.
I have noticed this in my playing as well. I think part of it can be fixed by the embouchure. I also think that since the hiss is a higher pitch it becomes less obvious as you move up the scale where it’s hidden by the higher tone, increased air pressure and possible different attack angle of embouchure, and increased volume.
One thing that you can practice is octave jumps. Starting at low d to high d and moving up the scale playing the note in the lower octave and than blowing it into the next octave without tonguing or fingering. Then play the low e to high e and continuing on up the scale. You can reverse this as well.
I’m sure some flutes/embouchure cuts may have more or less of this but on my flutes the hiss becomes less noticable as I move up the scale. I’ve recently played some flutes that I didn’t like. Part of the reason I didn’t like these flutes was due to the fact they had much more hiss than my Copley and Dixon 3 piece. Who’s to say that if I spent more time with those flutes I may be able minimize it.
One more thought, I played a Burns flute that was hissing horribly over the entire scale. Apparently it was due to a loose tenon joint. The owner later told me he added tooth-floss to tighten the joint and it cured it of it’s hissy-fit.
[ This Message was edited by: CraigMc on 2003-02-02 17:52 ]
You might think I’m crazy, but try something:
Bring the right arm away from the body and the right shoulder up to bring the flute to level or close to it.
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
[quote]
hissy-fit.
LOL 
M
This all depends what kind of hiss you’re talking about. James’ idea is a good one if the hiss is coming from you, via your embouchure. But you mention it happens on the low notes, which could be a)your finger’s not covering something, as mentioned earlier, b)the tenon, as previously mentioned, or c)the key pads. This is a keyed flute, right? Since you’re only getting a hiss as you play down to D, a key pad may be leaking.
Try all the ideas already suggested first, see if you can solve the problem non-mechanically (with the flute). Then try a piece of wax or plasticene clay temporarily filling the hole(s) the key pads should cover when closed. If there’s no hiss, it’s one of the key pads. Remove the wax or clay one at time. By process of elimination, you might find a bad pad seal.
If it’s just a matter of covering the holes down to D, try wetting your right hand fingers and play down to D. This makes a better seal. Does the hiss go away?
Really make sure the tenons are sealed, using a heavy cork grease to make the seal really work. Does that help?
Of course, James might be right, and it’s an embouchure hiss, which is your technique. His suggestion’s a good one; try adjusting your flute incrementally and redirect your airstream to see what does or doesn’t hiss.
Lastly, the embouchure takes time, and tired lips hiss more. Try all this in the morning, when you’re fresh.
Gordon
Guys - thanx for the replies. Gordon, I play keyless D flutes. I’ll try all the suggestions and – wait till tomorrow morning and try them out.
Thanx again,
BillG
Try widening your embouchure when playing low notes…try for a flat, wide stream of air. This creates less of a velocity effect and minimizes hiss in lower notes…I know this to be true cause Jessie said it, and she’s a cutie-you-know-what
My hisses are due to the following errors
of omission / commission:
#1-Careless embouchure
2-Leaky tone hole coverage
3-headjoint rotation angle
-The fact I’m a snake doesn’t help!
-Tenon thread liberally
waxed keeps joints
airtight & flute sonorous
(ignore if you’re a corker)
-“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”-Shakespeare, Henry IV. Act II
[ This Message was edited by: brianormond on 2003-02-09 15:20 ]
skip Healy in tip #26 states that placing the the edge of the embochure more on the fleshy part of the lip instead of the part where the line of the chin and lip meet produces a better sound and less buzz or whistling. just thought I’d pass it along.