 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Wendy
Date: 2007-05-07 16:52
I've been playing clarinet for umpteen years, but have been taking flute lessons for 18 months. I've just run into a lesson piece that goes up to D7. I can play to C7 just fine, but even with trying many different fingerings for D - nothing.
My question is: Is this a whole new skill/embrochure set to learn that will take lots of time & practice, or
is this a "if you can play C, you should be able to play D, and you're doing something wrong" problem.
It's a B foot if that makes a difference.
Wendy
Post Edited (2007-05-07 16:53)
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Author: johnnymo0829
Date: 2007-05-07 17:45
it could be a leak in your flute, the other thing that can help is to draw your face back more, like saying eeeeeeeee as hard as you can. Hope that helps
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2007-05-08 22:26
Just remember that the flute embochure is controlled more with the corners of the mouth. At least that's the way I've been taught. As you go higher on the flute, the corners should come down. As you go lower, the corners of your mouth should go more into a smile and more straight across for the middle range.
If you still have trouble, ask your teacher. That's what lessons are for, in my opinion.
I know that it has taken me as a clarinet player more time to get my flute embochure "set" than someone who just plays the flute.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2007-05-09 03:14
The fingering I'm using is Thumb 3 45 and gismo key. The thumb is a single thumb key not the Bb. Blowing direction is not much different than high C. Make sure you aren't turned in too much! That might help. I wouldn't suggest tightening the embouchure ....that is probably counterproductive. Blow quite strong. These notes are not too pretty. Also if you've only played flute for 18 months this shouldn't be a priority. Don't get too upset if you have problems with the D.
Freelance woodwind performer
Post Edited (2007-05-09 03:46)
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2007-05-09 04:36
That's the fingering I use, except I use the low C key because I don't have a low B.
But I hope we're all talking about the same D. I wouldn't expect a player of 18 months to be playing music with that D, the 4th one on the instrument...
A LOT of air speed is needed for those very high notes. That means a lot of air pressure, and I doubt that 18 months of playing gives you sufficient lip support to contain that pressure, without pulling lips tight against teeth. If you do that, then you drastically shorten the length (from behind lips to in front of lips) of the windway, and lose control of the focusing of the airstream. Those notes also need excellent focusing of the airstream.
Post Edited (2007-05-09 04:37)
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Author: Wendy
Date: 2007-05-09 16:55
Gordon (NZ) wrote:
> But I hope we're all talking about the same D. I wouldn't
> expect a player of 18 months to be playing music with that D,
> the 4th one on the instrument...
Yes, we're talking about the right D. But thanks for the compliment! I'm still smiling about that one! Nice to know that maybe I'm ahead of the game in spite of the frustrations of getting a good sound on the flute. On the other hand, of those 18 months, I've probably missed only a dozen days of practice, so I'm working really hard. (I'm 52 years old and this is my 5th instrument).
Thanks to all for the hints. I'll try them all and just keep working on it. Yes, my teacher will probably help me at the next lesson, but I just started on this piece a few days ago. He probably won't make too much of it anyway. I'm unlikely to encounter it again for a while, if ever.
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