OK - bear with me because I am totally new to this.

Played the flute when I was 11, gave up, thought I could teach myself again at 37!!

I am teaching myself the basics via 'Abracadabra' and also 'Play Flute Today' and have got stuck already at F and F#.

In 'Play Flute Today' the first note it teaches is 'F'. However, in 'Abracadabra' (which I am actually following because it is much better) the same note (when you get to it) sounds much lower - huhh? I am sure it's just a silly oversight on my part, and I will get there eventually, but any advice would be great. In short, what am I doing wrong? The confusion comes with the finger diagram - they are exactly the same - or so it seems?!

By the way - so glad to read the post about breathing - think I am managing 4 seconds at the mo!!!

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks.

Hi Mich. Can you try & explain what fingering you're using -F is 1st finger RH whereas F# is 3rd finger RH. RH little finger being on for both notes (& 1,2,3 & thumb of your LH of course)

Another thought: the fingering for F will give you two different notes an octave apart: the F in the bottom space of the stave and the F on the top line. The difference is in your embouchure (the shape of your mouth while blowing).

I have not practiced today, but will do tomorrow. I know exactly what you are both saying and am determined to get to the bottom of this. Let me try again tomorrow and if I am totally stuck I will post again. Which probably means that I will!

Teach myself..... who was I trying to kid!

Thanks.

I agree with adante_in_c, in the first and seceond octave the note F has same fingerings, so it is probably your embouchure, and you're blowing to hard or in the "wrong direction" on these two occasions, practice again, keeping your lips in the exact same place, and it should sound the same!

I'm not very good at explaining am I?! Sorry!