I’ve been playing at a great session . I’ve been the only flute player so I’ve had a chance to lead a few tunes each night and can really be heard for a change. (my other session had 5 flutes) I start off a tune really strong but start losing steam halfway through. My lips get tight, and I can’t get more than a whisp of sound. It’s probably nerves. Is there a trick to get the breath back? Sometimes I’ll just switch to my whistle because I literally can’t finish the tune on the flute.
I had a similar problem the other night. I was the only flute at the session, where normally there are three. It only happened on one tune, but my lips dried out and started sticking to my teeth. I really struggled to finish the tune. Normally, I keep lip balm with me, and it helps prevent that. As far as breathing, I find that I tighten my stomach and forget to breath properly. It comes down to me reminding myself to relax my stomach and breath the way my teacher taught me!
It was nice being the only flute, as I know people could hear me, but it’s also nice to have another flute there, for those shaky moments.
I think when you are the only flute player present in a session you tend to be a little more tense about your tone. The flute is a loud instrument anyway and you know you will be heard quite easily. Your breathing can become less relaxed and you tend to run out of breath quicker than you normally would. As well as that, your lips can move position while playing and your tone suffers. I just stop when this happens and restart when the tune kicks in again. Your embouchure is reshaped to the way you want it and your playing has body again. I love to have a second flute player in a session. It relaxes me and my breathing. And I also have my whistles along. Not only does changing to the whistle provide a nice change to the music but it also gives me a welcome break from playing the flute all night. Even the top flute players admit that they have their bad days as regards getting that nice strong tone. Flutes can be highly temperamental, but we love 'em. Mmm! sounds like someone I know!