I'd welcome any advice or tips for improving chromatic scales - specifically 2 octaves starting on B or Bb ( & so going up to B3 or Bb3). I can't reliably get B 3 to sound at the top of the slurred chromatic - I assume it's cos I'm useless. (I was going to put something about speed of air / supporting the note but i thought it roughly translated as useless )
B3 isn't a problem in the B major/minor scales.( Or in the Poulenc) I have tried practising the top 5 notes up & down & can do that. I realise it probably isn't going to magically come right but I can't work out how to go about getting it to improve.

Just checking...

You are raising your RH little finger for B, aren't you?

I have that problem, only my B3 sounds disgusting whatever I do! I think you're doing it right though. Play little sections, like the five top notes, and then gradually increase until you've got your two octaves. It should be easier to play the tongued version, because you have gaps in which to move your fingers! Good luck and do tell us if you manage to find a magic solution!

And you are not useless! (Or else I'd be useless too )

Yes andante I am lifting my RH little finger for B3.
Thanks July - nice to know that other people have a similar problem

Have you practiced them as long tones? Or just doing like B2 to B3 with alternating fingerings, they may help.
Long tones really do help, but you have to be patient.

July - how did your exam go?

I think doing them as long notes they're not too bad but it seems to be a problem getting them to sound in a quick sequence of notes. Like there's a sort of time lag on them before they sound

It's worth checking that all the keys are rising properly if there's a time lag. Have a look at the trill keys (the actual keys that open) and check they're coming up as soon as you depress the key. Otherwise, I'll re-iterate the slow practice suggestion; it will all come together eventually, just don't rush it.

Thanks everyone. I'll check the keys, & practise slowly & in small sections & let you know how I get on.

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Apr 24 2005, 06:42 PM)

July - how did your exam go?

I think it went quite well, actually! Aurals were suprisingly good (I never knew I could sight read that tune without having a clue what it must sound like (it was really weird)), sight reading was okay, scales were the only really bad thing (I expect I was too nervous - I could actually do all the scales when I practised them), and my three pieces were alright too, I think! The only frustrating bit was that my accompanist, with whom I'd only had one run through of the pieces beforehand, played the introduction of the Suite Antique prelude about twice the speed she should have done and so I had to rush through it!!! But on the whole, I didn't feel too bad afterwards. Just got to wait for the results now...*starts biting nails nervously *

Aww, well done, you sound like you have done really well! I wish you all the best, and from the sound of it I think you'll get the result you deserve

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Apr 25 2005, 03:17 PM)

Aww, well done, you sound like you have done really well! I wish you all the best, and from the sound of it I think you'll get the result you deserve

Thank you, that's really nice of you! When are you going to do your grade 8? All the best!

Definitely not this year. I am trying to build up my interpretation of pieces. My first big test is in July, when I audition for the highest band, only 6 flute places/3 in the orchestra. That might decide when I do my 8.

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Apr 25 2005, 08:19 PM)

Definitely not this year. I am trying to build up my interpretation of pieces. My first big test is in July, when I audition for the highest band, only 6 flute places/3 in the orchestra. That might decide when I do my 8.

Hope you do well! *fingers crossed*

QUOTE (july @ Apr 25 2005, 01:02 PM)

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Apr 24 2005, 06:42 PM) July - how did your exam go? I think it went quite well, actually! <snip>The only frustrating bit was that my accompanist, with whom I'd only had one run through of the pieces beforehand, played the introduction of the Suite Antique prelude about twice the speed she should have done and so I had to rush through it!!!

Actually you didn't have to take her speed. Examiners know that people don't always get as much time beforehand with their accompanists as they would like, and I'm sure an examiner will totally understand if you change to your comfortable speed as soon as you start to play. It's the accompanist's job to accept your speed, whatever it is, not the other way round. Too late for this time, but be prepared to assert yourself if something like that should happen in an exam again. I often take my metronome into exams, especially if I'm accompanying several people playing the same piece and I have to set the speed. That way I can quickly remind myself of their individual speeds before I start to play (electronic metronomes don't have to click!).

QUOTE (july @ Apr 26 2005, 06:27 AM)

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Apr 25 2005, 08:19 PM) Definitely not this year. I am trying to build up my interpretation of pieces. My first big test is in July, when I audition for the highest band, only 6 flute places/3 in the orchestra. That might decide when I do my 8. Hope you do well! *fingers crossed*

Thankyou! Before that I will be trying to get into the highest band, where there are only 6 flutes (at least Grade 7 standard!! Eep!)

May sound a bit crazy, Andy, but what I've found helps is playing longtones so you KNOW you can play those notes, and then just playing with confidence and belief. Usually when I miss the high notes at the top of scales it's because I didn't trust myself to play them well and I was too tentative. I tend to try and learn scales at much more than the recommended minimum speed (trying to get all my current scales up to crotchet = 132 which is the grade 8 minimum) because I know that will give me more confidence in an exam situation, but with the higher scales it does make those top notes harder to sound cos they are there and gone again so quickly. If I take a deep breath and play which real confidence and conviction it does make a big difference, and really really suuport the sound from your belly without becoming tense in your throat and mouth. I'd also suggest practising the top notes, going around the turn at the top (ie say from A or G up to the top and back down) and add another degree of the chromatic scale when you are confident you can get the top notes with no problems....

well... HTH!!

Thanks for the advice - i think long notes are helping (maybe not as fast as i would like but ..). Also have dug out some straightforwardish stuff & been practising it up an octave so it's in the 3rd octave rather than the 2nd. That's been good for my fingering & tone. (Bit of a killer for the kids to have to listen to though!)

QUOTE (Andy-piano-flute @ Apr 30 2005, 09:35 PM)

(maybe not as fast as i would like but ..).

does anything ever work as fast as we would like? *wry grin*

practising up an octave is a good idea - unfortunately doesn't help so much with reading up in the high reaches! I'm fortunate to have started so many year ago on the violin so I can usually cope with all the leger lines, but some pieces can be evil in that regard. Have you tried the Filas Top Register Studies?

Buy earplugs for your kids...