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> Flute Apperture
ffliwt
post Jan 18 2008, 08:15 PM
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I've just got back from my first lesson with my new flute teacher (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Haven't really had private lessons before and my teacher is REALLY really good so yes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) excited.
but anyway lol
we discovered that my embouchure forms on the side, i.e. the hole isn't in the middle of my lips but to the right side. it isn't necessarily a problem (his best student had the same thing and she had a fantastic tone) but obviously it'd be better if i could get it to be in the middle
I was wondering if anyone else had this problem and if so any tips on how to change it - or if sitting infront of a mirror experimenting with different embouchures is the only way (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
I've been sat playing infront of a mirror for a while now and can sort of get it to the centre but it takes a lot of effort and obviously will take time...
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Lizzie2284
post Jan 19 2008, 05:28 PM
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I may be wrong but I don't think it makes any difference where your aperture forms, as long as you are directing the air directly through it. My teacher who is a flautist with an incredibly rich tone plays significantly to the right of the centre. If that is how you make a good sound, I wouldn't try and force change upon yourself!
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Robodoc
post Jan 19 2008, 06:39 PM
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1 - if it ain't broke, why fix it?
2 - prevention is better than cure methinks (no good to you but a memo to myself!)
3 - try blowing out of the left for a while??
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hillyb
post Jan 19 2008, 06:53 PM
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QUOTE(Robodoc @ Jan 19 2008, 06:39 PM) *

1 - if it ain't broke, why fix it?
2 - prevention is better than cure methinks (no good to you but a memo to myself!)
3 - try blowing out of the left for a while??


There are some very good players who play with an off-centre emborchure.
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ffliwt
post Jan 19 2008, 09:06 PM
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I know that it's not necessarily a problem - my teacher said his best student had the same thing.
He also said that he has a feeling it may not be fixable but he would like me to try see if it is possible to centre it, if not then i'll have to keep it as it is and work with that, but not that that's a problem or anything.
I was just wondering if anyone else had the same problem.

My brother was saying 'bad embouchure is just a bad habit youve learned'. Well, it's not a bad embouchure/habit? + it's not exactly a habit - if that's the way my mouth physically forms, then... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

+ thanks hillyb - i didn't know that it was common =] (well, not common but yes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) i'd never seen or heard of it before)
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andante_in_c
post Jan 19 2008, 09:42 PM
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If it's because of a 'teardrop' - the middle of your top lip comes down in a point - then there isn't anything you can do with it. I have one, and I didn't know it until I was a teacher! So it's never caused me problems.
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ffliwt
post Jan 19 2008, 09:44 PM
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Yes that's exactly what my top lip does, and trying to get the apperture in the middle is just extremely difficult cause the middle of my lip is there >_<
I hope it doesn't put me at any disadvantage atal =(
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angie
post Jan 20 2008, 09:37 AM
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Moyse played with an off centre apperture ........... i don't think it held him back much (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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ffliwt
post Jan 20 2008, 02:54 PM
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Did he really (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)
This makes me feel much better =]
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hillyb
post Jan 20 2008, 03:09 PM
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QUOTE(angie @ Jan 20 2008, 09:37 AM) *

Moyse played with an off centre apperture ........... i don't think it held him back much (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)



So does Philippa Davies and she makes an amazing sound.
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angie
post Jan 20 2008, 06:12 PM
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QUOTE(ffliwt @ Jan 20 2008, 02:54 PM) *

Did he really (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)
This makes me feel much better =]


Seems to me ffliwt that you're managing just fine the way you are (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) If you're happy and you're teacher's happy, then really, don't change a thing ................ (begins to wonder if an off centre apperture might be the way to go, what with Moyse and Phillippa Davies (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) )

xx (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
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ffliwt
post Jan 20 2008, 08:47 PM
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QUOTE(angie @ Jan 20 2008, 06:12 PM) *

(begins to wonder if an off centre apperture might be the way to go, what with Moyse and Phillippa Davies (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) )

xx (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)



Haha that's what my teacher's wife said - "And Sarah (his best pupil - FANTASTIC flautist) had that too didn't she? Hey we'll have to get everyone to try play off centre!"
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Robodoc
post Jan 20 2008, 09:33 PM
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QUOTE(ffliwt @ Jan 19 2008, 09:44 PM) *

Yes that's exactly what my top lip does, and trying to get the apperture in the middle is just extremely difficult cause the middle of my lip is there >_<
I hope it doesn't put me at any disadvantage atal =(

In that case surely a central apperture is something to be avoided rather than aspired to?
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flutecake
post Jan 21 2008, 01:58 PM
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QUOTE(andante_in_c @ Jan 19 2008, 10:42 PM) *

If it's because of a 'teardrop' - the middle of your top lip comes down in a point - then there isn't anything you can do with it. I have one, and I didn't know it until I was a teacher! So it's never caused me problems.


I have one of these too. I'm sure with a bit of work I will get a better tone anyway.

I did see a website (Larry Krantz, I think) where there were photos of lots of top flautists and comments on each of their embouchures. There were quite a few differences but they all manage to play well.
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