I'm learning the flute, but I'm having problems with my breathing. I seem to be blowing over the hole right, but I can't hold a note for more than 2 mesures. I've never had a problem holding notes when I sing. Can any of you help me?
2006-06-12 12:09:20 · 5 answers · asked by MagicGirl* 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
I do take lessons from a girl in the grade above me, but she's not sure what's wrong either. I've been homeschooling for the last 3 years and I want to be in band when I go back to school, so I will have a conductor then who may be able to help me, but I won't see her till school gets back in.
I tried tilting the flute, but that doesn't help much.
The flute used to belong to my mom, but she had it cleaned and checked over before I started.
2006-06-13 04:10:25 · update #1
You need to check how your embouchure is formed. (Embouchure is how you hold your lips as you blow out). Is your embouchure hole too large? Your embouchure needs to be firm (not tight - firm!), your lips need to be in-line over one another (meaning your bottom jaw isn't infront or behind your top jaw). Where is your tongue? As you blow out it needs to be flat on the bottom of your mouth, coming up only to articulate your notes.
You need a good flute teacher. A girl a grade ahead of you doesn't count as a good flute teacher - she barely knows anything about playing. You need someone with training - who is a professional at teaching & playing.
2006-06-13 16:59:54 · answer #1 · answered by springdewfairy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm working on my Masters in flute performance and have taught private flute lessons for 8 years. I have learned that it is very normal not to be able to hold a note for very long when you are a beginner. Although you may not realize it, the flute requires more air than almost any instrument, even the tuba! The reason is that you do not have a mouth piece or reed to direct all of your air into. So when you're first starting to play, a small percentage of your air is actually going in the right direction and the rest is all over the place. To see what's going on with your air stream have someone stand in front of you with their hand out and have them move their hand until they can feel your air stream blowing on them. The ideal placement is not directly across the hole but down a little bit. The more you play the better your embouchure and the muscles in your lips and face will get and you'll be able to use less air to make a sound and then will be able to hold notes longer. I hope that helps! Good luck with your playing!
2006-06-15 10:48:01 · answer #2 · answered by Reverie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I play the flute too and I am actually experiencing the same problem as you. what do u mean by 2 mesures though? I can hold my note for approximately 10 seconds. However, I've been asking for advice from people and my time has gone from 6 seconds to 10. The main key is practice and play on your flute more, I think.
2006-06-17 20:48:36 · answer #3 · answered by timidgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I play the flute. First make sure you aren't tilting the mouthpiece of the flute too far out or too far in. If you tilt the mouthpiece too far in, it will blow too much air into the hole, and you will run out of air quickly. If you tilt it too far out, not enough air will go through the flute and no sound will come out. It takes a little bit of experimenting to get it right. Also, is your flute new? If you still have problems after a while, get your flute checked at a music shop. Once, I couldn't get a sound out, and it was because one of the keys on my flute was bent. I hope this helps!
2006-06-12 19:24:27 · answer #4 · answered by ravenclaw125 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get some lessons. Do you have a band at school? If you do ask the conductor for lessons. Email me if you get better.
2006-06-12 19:16:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋