OK, I’m now getting a dry, reedy sound, by
rolling the headjoint toward me and focusing
my embouchure. I’m following helpful instructions
given on earlier threads.
There’s a sort of a sweet spot on the
embouchure and when I hit it the flute
sounds like an oboe. It’s there on the low D,
very much.
Is this honking? I want to honk!
You can priactice by playing a G, then tightening that embouchure and slam those RH fingers down on the D. honk baby honk. Once you get used to this you can go to the F first, then honk, then the e, honk. Worked for me.
G
I’m sure this has already been asked but I did a search and can’t find anything. Since I’m new to the flute, what is honking?
thanks
This is a tonal quality often sought after by players of simple-system flutes in the Irish tradition. It sounds like a bark or a honk, and is an esthetic device especially in evoking the wild, the raw, the tempestuous.
If you’re playing Boehm flute, Guthrum, I’m not sure it would be doable. Embouchure techniques are different from “Irish” flute.
Honk if you like Irish Trad.
Well I decided to practice turning my blow hole toward me and I don’t like it.
I am too used to having it turned out lined up with the holes. I get a much better, reedy sound from having it out. I don’t think it’s impossible so I’m going to keep doing it. Not that I won’t try turning it in once and awhile for fun.
I haven’t learned to honk yet.
Honk! Honk! (Actually I just like to say
‘Honk!’)
But I still can’t do it. More advice, please.
I’m close, I can feel it. Thanks.
P. S. Honk!
Hi Jim
If you wish to eliminate this feature
It sounds like your instrument may have a narrow bore that swells inward when warm and wet? This would cause the instrument to act like a closed “panpipe” sounding and octave lower during a few oscillations(Sub-harmonic distortion. This would sound like whistling and humming at the same time.)
I missed your other thread, is your instrument wood or metal? If wood, you may need some slight bore sanding to eliminate this. If metal, you will need a pro to slightly expand any restriction in the lower tube.
If you are trying to enhance this feature, I suggest you roll thin paper in a tube shape and insert it inside the bore between the embouchure and the top tonehole. This will give “backpressure” in the headjoint and enhance “double resonance” or “twintone”. you will have to experiment with thicknesses around 2mm-3mm. Wax the paper when you get the right size.
This technique is used on the Japanese “Nohkan(throat) Flute”. See diagram here…
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~DL1S-YMGC/nohkan-e.htm
Jim, when I’m able to get that honk going on the lower register, I accomplish it by a feeling of driving more pressure into the flute so that the overtones, the harmonics stand out more. You may have to play around with your embouchure for this, too; I think it’s hard to apply a particular recommendation because of everybody’s differences in facial muscle layout. You may find relaxed to work, or taut. Or, in my case, it seems to depend on the day. :roll:
Thanks to all. Honk!