Flute Tone/Quality?

Question

So, in the advanced band at my school we have this flute seating audition tomorrow. And, I jsut can't compete witht he other players. I have all my scales down, and the soolo piece pretty decently. But, my tone is terrible. I have been playing since fourth grade, now in tenth. I have always had good tone quality however compared to the toehrs, I do not on my flute. I played on one fo my friends intermediate flute the toher day and is was stunning. But, my flute, the same one I learned on in fourth grade just can't compete with the others. Buying a better one is just not an option right now, with my dad out of work. My flute has never had a matience or clean-up or anything to it; and the quality is constantly going downward. But, I just do not have the money right now to do anything. so, pretty much I am freaking out; because I know I won't get first because of it;nor am I even sure if he will give me 2nd, first chair.I am better than quite a few, but I just do not want to be stuck last

Answer 1

Good Lord! In seven years, you've never had your flute in for repairs?! No wonder your tone is crap! Your pads are sure to be leaking all over the place. I'm surprised it plays at all. Borrow someone else's flute for the audition tomorrow and let your director know that you're flute hasn't been repaired in many years but you're trying to fix that except money is tight. Then, call around to different shops in your area and let them know your situation with money and with the condition of your flute and how your really need it repaired. Hopefully a repair person in your area will be able to give you a deal.

Answer 2

Get a really fine teacher who will refine your technique and tonal production. If you were MY student, then I would flat out tell you that if you continue to play any saxophone of other reed instrument, that you flute playing will never match that of the best flutists. Yes, there are people who are *triplers* - they play clarinet, sax, and flute fo Broadway shows, etc. - but I have often been a flute teacher for these folks - there is no way that they will ever achieve the same level of playing as a flutist, solely. If you listen to even fine jazz players who triple - their musicianship and improvisation might be good, their digital technique might be fluent - but in the areas of tone production and articulation - they are EASILY spotted as triplers. I one had a guy at a party ask me, when he found out who I was, If I could help him with his artic. He gave me a little sample - I asked him "So - how long have you been playing tenor sax?" He just about fell over - all he had told me was that he played flute some, and have problems . . . . . I can list for you ALL the tone placement exercises that I do with my students, and that I do myself - but if I (and by that, I mean ANY fine professional player and teacher - we are everywhere- I am NOT unique - hardly!) am not there to see, hear, and guide you - it f does no good. You will get people here who say "get the Trevor Wye book". No teacher? Then there is no book that is the cure. The MAGIC book is the phone book . . . . Added - you and the other kid who responded just plain cannot tell the difference - because you are kids. If you expect to get far ahead as a fine FLUTIST - then yes you need lessons, and you need to stay away from anything that changes your embouchure. Just because the two of you do not see or hear it - yet - does not mean it is not happening. You are just kids who cannot tell. And - both too stubborn to listen. We are done.

Answer 3

Can you ask to borrow the friend's flute for the audition? ... But that would still leave you with your out fo tune flute afterward. So you'll need a plan in place for after that... There's a tuning mechanism inside the mouth piece - for 'mechanical tune ups'. It has to be set right. Does your band/orchestra teacher have knowledge of how to help you tune it? ... If you borrow a flute for the audition tomorrow you might buy some time to get call around to places to see how much tune ups might run. ... A tune up will be less expensive than buying. And it might help just enough to get you by. Also talk to places about the cost of flutes and if you can trade yours in and make payments on the better model.
Good luck. Hope you get first chair!

Answer 4

Borrow your friend's flute for the audition. As another person said, let your director know of the situation to possibly have your instrument fixed. The hitch is having it fixed by a reputable repair person. Most local repairmen don't have a clue on how to really fix a flute...if they can play it, it's considered "fixed"...at least that's been my experience. So if the repairman does a terrible job, consider sneding it to a reputable repairman (you can contact a local professional flutist for suggestions).

In terms of funds to do this, your band booster program may have funds set aside for repairs for needy/deserving students. If not, then check around with some local music organizations to see if they can help. In return, you could play at one of their music events for free. Or if you have a teacher, see if your teacher could get the instrument fixed for you and repay him/her over time ifyour parents are not able to pay. If your parents are balking, have them talk with your music instructors because you really can't do well in music if your instrument is in bad shape. It would be like trying to drive a car that doesn't run well...makes everyone frusterated and eats up more money in the long run.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Borrow a flute from your friend first while giving your flute a maintainence. i like practising the lowest and highest note i can play. If you can get a good tone on those notes, i guess the middle ones would be very nice. Also practise on your flute everyday your tone should improve gradually.

Answer 6

i know your problem.
you need the pads on your flute replaced! i don't know exactly how much that costs, but last time i got it done for fairly cheap and it worked miricals.
maybe if you can't get the pads replaced by the auditions, ask your band teacher if there is some flute that you can use for a while that might be in the back room. i am sure he will understand. good luck, i hope you get 1st chair!

Answer 7

Try tightening up your mouth (embouchure). It also doesn't hurt to practice long tones, holding out each note of a scale for 9 counts, working on your tone. I am a senior in high school and have been playing flute and piccolo since 5th grade. It took me until someone actually told me how to do vibrato, it takes a lot of practice. Keep it up!!!!

Answer 8

my tone is terrible too im practicing by playing mary had a little lamb with the head joint and the end joint.Just try your best and hopefully it works out.