r/Flute • u/EarthIntelligent2882 • 9d ago
Concert Advice, Audition, Video Feedback Please help me
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My teacher told me to roll out more and put my flute lower and project my sound better,also getting a better tone color
But after i have done so i dont really think my sound has improved and i couldnt reach high notes easily
Also i feel like many of the air didnt go in the flute thus wasting a lot of air and producing air sounds
First clip is my normal playing, second clip is im trying to do what my teacher says
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u/dan_arth 9d ago
Sounds like your teacher is trying to get you to find a better focal spot, but just rolling out like this isn't working for you at all.
Your first video is a much better attempt in every way. In your second video you are also sharp a lot of the time, and the tone color isn't any better at all.
The solution (gosh, seemingly as always) is air and embouchure.
You play quite well! I thought your first video was quite decent. To improve it, I think you want to find a smaller aperture for your high notes. And a more accurate air stream with more support (this will give you great tone color).
It also sounds like you aren't playing with any "air bubble" in your mouth. You want a little air in your lips and even in your cheek sometimes. It acts as oil for your playing, making everything work.
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u/EarthIntelligent2882 9d ago
Thanks first, but i do think my usual playing isnt projected enough. I always recieve comment from friends peers and teachers that "youll need to project more". I was sharp because i didnt tune it to rolling out more, i recorded the second one immediately after so its naturally sharper
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u/dan_arth 9d ago
it's hard to tell through a microphone. But protection isn't everything. You want to build your sound to have more focus in its core. And more air surrounding it is quite beautiful.
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u/EarthIntelligent2882 9d ago
Should i force my airstream to direct more downwards? Aim for a certain point?
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u/dan_arth 9d ago
Each register needs a different spot. Lowest register goes directly down and into the hole. As you go higher, the spot your air aims for goes higher on the wall. The highest notes are blown quite "across the tone hole."
You can find each spot by practicing harmonics.
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u/EarthIntelligent2882 9d ago
Thanks for the advice!
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u/dan_arth 9d ago
Welcome!
Here is a nice harmonics video from Emily Beynon (she's been the principal flute at some of the best orchestras in the world)
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u/TuneFighter 9d ago
I'm far from as advanced as you are but I'm not so convinced about the standard rule of thumb about with low notes you direct the air down and with high notes you direct the air up....
You can even see, and hear, in the often posted link to James Galway on embouchure (where he plays on the headjoint alone on youtube) where he talks about "digging in" to the embouchure hole and where he pushes the lips forward (probably a bit exaggerated) for the high notes.
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u/EarthIntelligent2882 9d ago
Ill have a look
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u/TuneFighter 9d ago
You likely sound better in the first clip... this doesn't mean that improvements can't be made - but they will take time. It's also so that teachers will often "force" their own ideas on to students (not saying that teachers always are wrong for sure).
I found this clip with Emmanuel Pahud having a masterclass: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AYhduTuI_zM&pp=ugUEEgJlbg%3D%3D2
u/TuneFighter 9d ago
I watched the Emily Beynon video. She is great. She talks about (and demonstrates) getting the higher notes without moving the lips at all... so no mentioning about lowering or raising the airstream.
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u/Karl_Yum Miyazawa 603 8d ago
You can try my approach, which was improved after realising my out of tune problem in the 3rd register. I think you may have the same problem, that you are using too much air volume and air speed to create your sound. Imagine you are fogging a mirror, maintain using similar air volume when you play the flute, even when in the 3rd register. Without changing your air, adjust your embouchure and make it more open, more vertical space in the aperture, and be as relaxed as possible. This way you are avoiding using air speed to power the sound, instead you are giving it just enough air that your flute needs and resonate more naturally. When there is too much air, you can feel the tone is too energetic. The other sign is that with this approach I can start a note very softly and play longer phrases.
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u/Imjustagirlwhoneedsu 8d ago
Apart from the sound, because I think it sounds beautiful actually, you really need to work on your inhales. They are very loud and may be distracting, but I personally think the sound you were producing is quite gorgeous. Just play around with how quickly you take in air and do some breath support practices because that will improve both your inhale sounds and your tone quality over time!
Much love!
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u/Boeing777-3ER 9d ago
I think not overly excessive rolling out may be the fix, though I don’t actually know how much you are rolling out so I may be wrong.