i'm doing the Prelude from the Suite Antique by John Rutter. It's suppised to sound tranquil, but instead i sound shrill, because it's all in the top octave, can anyone give me any technical advice on getting them to be more peaceful summers day, rather than cat screaming?
thanks x

Extreme practise of long notes in the upper register

I presume your flute teacher has told you about correct upper octave(s) technique. If you are just overblowing to get top notes (and not changing your embouchure), you'll never play the higher notes at any dynamic softer than forte. When playing quietly, you'll probably need to exaggerate that change of embouchure, as well as adding extra diaphragm support.

A good way of checking what you're doing is to look in a mirror while you practice. It's amazing what I and my pupils have spotted when practising in front of a mirror!

A good book to buy for flute tone is 'De La Sonorite' by Marcel Moyse. Not the cheapest book in the world, but it's really useful.

And finally, practice! A lot!

Good luck!

Barry (clari)

Start the quiet high notes with 'pu' rather than 'tu' or 'du'. Works like magic.

I played this piece for grade 6 and the 'pu' thing worked for me! Just try not to force/squeeze the notes (sounds easier than it is, I know) and use the diaphragm rather than the embouchure, if that makes sense! It's a lovely piece, isn't it?

Agree with july, largely. I just have this gut feeling deviless that your embouchure isn't all it should be, as you've been taught by someone who is effectively a pianist, so you'll probably need to be more aware of your embouchure and what it's doing than someone who's been taught by a flautist from the beginning.

Flying seamlessly off topic, are you doing the 3rd and 4th movements of the Rutter for your grade 8 july? Equally attractive pieces of music!


Barry (clari)

Yes, it is about £25 but it is really useful

First may I say what a great choice of piece! The Rutter is one of my personal favourites! Just a couple of quick ideas for you, the piece is mainly all quiet so loads of diaphragm support is needed, and you need to be careful that the tuning doesnt go flat so you need to keep your flute up and keys level, and pushing your chin out slightly on quiet parts will also help with the tuning. I also feel that the piece needs slightly more dynamic interest than is written on the score, such as more crescendo's and diminuendo's within the phrases as I find it a little odd that they are written in in some cases but not in others! Obviously I dont know exactly how advanced you are but a little vibrato on the longer notes will help to give a sweeter sound if you can do it! Hope thats of some help to you! Happy practising! xxxxxxxx

Hi Barry,
I don't really know yet - I really like the 'Flute de Pan' as well, and I'm having a hard time deciding which pieces to do in general! There are also so many nice pieces on the A list! The only thing I'm certain about is that I'm doing a Telemann fantasia for my C piece, probably number 12.
Charlotte

Yes, there's a lot of good pieces on the A list. If you like your Baroque flute music, it's worth trying the Quantz. The Mozart is also good fun to play!

I've played the Mozart and really enjoyed it, but also have Schubert's Arpeggione which is great, and the two movements of the Bach (in E, I think) are great too...I'll have a look at the Quantz as well, though! Thanks for the advice!

And I'll stop highjacking the thread now, sorry!

Hmm... yes i dont think my embouchure is the greatest, i did spend a year being taught by an actual flute teacher, but my tone and embouchure techniques have probably fallen, due to my current teacher... I'll try and practise infront of a mirror, see if that helps. thanks everyone



thanks charlie, i'll try it out. x

I am looking for a recording of "Suite Antique", and have found it in some compilations of John Rutter's work. Could anyone suggest which is the best version, or the best place to get it from?

Thanks, Aithne x