 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Jenna
Date: 2004-05-28 00:59
Hey
I already posted this once but I got no replies. I would really appreciate it if someone gave me some advice.
I play the flute and I'm always being told that my embrochure is too tight. I know it's true because sometimes when I play high notes for a long time, my cheeks start hurting. I try to play with a more open mouth but it's really hard. Does anyone know any good ways to make my mouth less tight??
Thanks
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Author: Flute472
Date: 2004-05-28 04:40
Well, do you have to make your lips tight all the time when you play? how does it sound? Maybe you should change a headjoint that has an embouchure hole that is suitable for your playing. Playing a flute, do not forget, is about the changeing of air speed, tightening and lossening the lips should only be done to assists the changeing of your airspeed if you have some problems with it. Like Jim walker said, your lips should be flexible at all times when playing the flute.
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Author: Musical Mind
Date: 2004-05-29 16:11
Here's a little experiment to help you. Inhale as much air as you can and just blow air on the palm straight: slow, normal, and fast speed like you are playing low, middle, and high register notes in general. As you can feel when blowing out air, you will realize that your diaphragm will contract calmly when the air speed is slow, but your diaphragm will contract tightly when the air speed gets faster. Basically, your diaphragm is trying to pressurize your lungs so the air speed gets faster. To do this, your stomach has to feel like a balloon. It has to feel like it has lots of air inside. And you are letting out the air fast out of a tiny hole formed by your lips. You are not going to let the air escape too soon because the air speed will get slower eventually.
I hope this experiment helps. This is an idea that you can apply to your flute playing. You can always ask your flute teacher to help you. Have fun.
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Author: amanda
Date: 2004-05-29 22:54
try relaxing and after a while no matter how your hold our ombichure your mouth will start to cramp and hurt it still happens to me after eight years of playing hope this helps
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Author: Marielle
Date: 2004-06-05 22:11
I had the same problem when I first started playing. All I can say is relax. At first it will feel impossible to play and not pull. Practice every day, while trying for a bit to relax and play. If you can't get high notes out while not pulling, that's ok. This takes some time. Also, try not to force it... you might just make it worse. Just imagine how it would feel with the skin above your lips and the corners relaxed, and imitate.
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Author: Amanda
Date: 2004-06-11 03:55
The corners of your lips should be pulled back, actually, like smiling, not relaxed.
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Author: Robert Hawkins
Date: 2004-06-28 15:51
Jenna, I have played for over 50 years and taught many students along the way. I play with a very relaxed embrochure - the lips instead of being in a "smile", I use a "pout". Draw the corners of the lips DOWN. and the bottom lip is as relaxed and flabby as can be! Hold the flute horizonally - do not place your face/head on your shoulder. Sit/stand straight, good posture is vital.
Your endurance will be phenominal with the "pout" as opposed to the "smile".
Correct diaphramatic breathing is a must. Players of a wind instrument should think of playing as MOVING LARGE QUANITIES OF AIR. The air is moved from note to note. Take a flute piece and with a pencil draw lines from note to note. Think of the lines as the air moving.
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