high pitch, low volume

Irish Flute
1

I’ve been playing flute for somewhere in the 6-9 month range (I don’t keep that close of track), and today while attempting to practice quietly (people sleeping in the house), I noticed that I can’t hit my high A and B without a significant increase in volume. I then sat and really focused on achieving as tiny an aperture as I could, and had some minor success in reproducing these high notes at relatively low volumes. What I’m taking this to mean is that I don’t have as well-developed an embouchure as I thought I did, and that gives me something to work on…it also brings up a question, though, and that is:

With a well-developed embouchure, and on a good-quality instrument, should I be able to play a high B with good tone just as quietly as a low D? Or, is it in the nature of the instrument that higher notes will always be a bit louder? Or, will it just vary from instrument to instrument (or maker to maker, model to model, etc.).

2

With more practice you will be able to play the high notes very quietly.
It takes time, is all. Also it can make the flute more beautiful
to play the high notes somewhat more quietly. One of the advantages
of flute over whistle. There is a tendency to let the second octave
of the flute soar–best resisted. Address the second octave notes with care.

3

I suppose some can do it, but the nature of high tones and how they are produced almost demands higher volume, especially on a wooden instrument.

4

yes Cubitt but I think you have missed the point.
Higher notes will always have more volume than the low octave notes
but there are DEGREES of what is more volume and therefore I agree with Jim.

One of the many joys of fluting is playing higher softer.

5

No, by definition a quiet second 8ve B will always carry (pierce) more than a quiet low D.

IT is a natural fact (ie from nature - observe animal cries, bird calls, village singers, shrieking gals) that higher pitch carries further.

6

I don’t think my embouchure is all that well-developed, but I can play a 2nd octave A and B pretty quietly when I want. I’m flipping to the 2nd octave more by directing my airstream direction slightly upward by pushing out my lower jaw or lower lip very slightly, rather than blowing harder, or making the airhole smaller. Once you find the sweet spot, you can play those notes solidly but quietly. I’m playing a Copley delrin flute.

Unlike my low whistle, where the higher octave is always louder than the lower, and that A and B are the loudest of all!

7

Thanks for the feedback - it helps a lot by way of setting goals/expectations. I haven’t been hitting anywhere near the volume difference you find in whistles, but since I’m fairly used to how whistles sound, I don’t think I’ve been as subtle as I could be. Off to practice…