Flute/flute playing

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Expert: Joe Piccolo - 9/4/2009


Question
I have just started learning the flute for about half a year, but I am catching up with my school band with people that have been playing for 2 years. We are going to have a seating test very soon. I have a few problems: how to play longer with one breathe. and how to focus a note, and how to play high notes softly. thank you.

Answer

flute repair at The Ba
Jen,

Congratulations n your flute playing and the desire to improve.

Focusing your tone and using your breath support is going to be a life long study.

When you place the lip plate to your embouchure and play what kind of a sound are you getting?

Lots of air....a ffffffffff sound

What we need you to do is visualize the "aperture" or the opening in your lips to look like a horizontal flame. <====> the best bet is to angle a mirror so you can see your lips.

What do you see?  Is the aperture round? Or does it have that horizontal flame shape.

If your having a hard time making the proper embouchure then try this. Cushion a wooden sish kebob skewer in  the back of your lips, then play the flute. That will force a closer embouchure.

Long tones are you key to getting a good tone. Play your best note for as long as possible. Louder to softer, softer to louder, try for 20 min.

Have you found your "sweet spot" on the lip plate of the flute yet? Keep up with the long tones.

Octave exercises

Play your best note with that horizontal flame embouchure. It should only be about 5/16 wide. It will look like this <=====> That will be uses for your first octave.

While your playing your low note I want you to close the edges of the embouchure by about half so it will look like <==> that will be your embouchure for the second octave.

Re cap
Long tones for at least 20 min. a day
First octave <======>
Second octave  <==>
Play softer to louder, then louder to softer

Here is a great link for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcXRzZZv1mE  

Joe Piccolo

Expertise

all things related woodwind repair and maintenance. I do not accept qustions regarding serial numbers and the value of new/used flutes.

Experience

Repair at the Balanced Scale is not Sax Pads considered in terms of “good enough” for a student instrument and meticulous for the professional. Traditional and time-tested materials and practices are coupled with modern band instrument repair tooling, techniques, and materials to provide excellent repair for all instruments.

Organizations
Part of a Larger Organization N.A.P.B.I.R.T. (National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians), of which I have been a member since 2004, is an international professional association comprised of musical instrument repair technicians from all over the world. A network of colleagues, mentors and friends, the Association encourages the continuing growth of the industry’s knowledge base through its newsletter, yearly conferences, and workshops.

Education/Credentials
Continuing Education - Student for Life In 2004-2006, I attended and completed the practical portion of a highly specialized program focusing on brass and woodwind repair at Keyano College. The Music Instrument Repair Program (M.I.R.) is the only one of its kind in Canada. The Program offers students a comprehensive foundation of repair theory coupled with practical application followed up with industry feedback and guidance. During my time at Keyano, I developed a deep interest in flute repair. In 2007, this interest took me to Straubinger Flutes in Indianapolis, Indiana where I received specialized training and certification for the installation and servicing of Straubinger pads. Experience and Training at a Glance Straubinger Flutes, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA 2007 – Straubinger Pad Certification Keyano College - M.I.R. Lab, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada 2004-06 - Student Shop Assistant Tool Trade, Windsor, Ontario, Canada 1993-2004 - All aspects of manual machining related to the tooling industry: Precision grinding E.D.M. (electrical discharge machining) Layout and inspection Hand polishing Spotting and fitting I.S.O. training University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada 1990-92 - Music Education

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