How do you keep a clear airstream while holding the lips firm enough to get 2nd register cleanly. As soon as I go into 2nd register my opening is so small that the soft fleshy inner part of me lip flutters about interrupting the air flow. If I force myself to hold a bigger hole it sounds very breathy and has no clarity or strength (or sometimes no sound at all).

Are there any exercises or anything that could make my mouth hold the opening just right? (apart from playing, cos that's where I get it wrong)

This is one of those times where I'm going to suggest patience. It sounds as if you're doing all the right things: listening to yourself, trying other positions etc. It may be that you haven't developed enough fine control over your lip muscles yet, and this will come in time, but like any sort of physical training, you have to build up to it gradually.

One thing that you might try is playing a note with your lips together (so that nothing happens) and then very gradually moving your lips apart. If you can do it subtly enough, you will hear first a whistle (or whisper) tone, then an upper harmonic (eg top D if you're fingering G), then then second octave note you're after, and then the bottom octave note. If you can do this and remain on the second octave note for a few beats you'll get used to the correct aperture and will eventually be able to produce it in pieces.

Sounds like a very good idea andante. I'll definatly give it try.

This next may sound like a silly question:

How far apart are your teeth when you're playing?

I've been sat reading 'the flutist progress' and he advises 3/4 of inch apart (almost 2cm). That seems a long way. Mine are less than 1/4 inch (6.5mm) apart. Is that where I got it wrong?

I'm determined I WILL get this right!!!!

It's advisable to keep your back teeth well apart to keep an open throat. I'm doing contortions as I write to see if that automatically means your front teeth are the same distance apart as your back ones. (Appropriate smiley, there. )

I can't keep my front teeth 2cm apart and form an embouchure. The maximum distance I can get is more like 1cm (I can just fit my index finger between my teeth). I'm now feeling I'm going to dislocate my jaw, so think I'll stop.

Heavens I 'd never even thought of this one - something else to worry about now

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Heavens I 'd never even thought of this one - something else to worry about now

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Aww Andy nooooo. not trying to give others more to worry about, just trying to conquer my problem. If you can get the notes clean and clear the please don't even think about it. Don't change what works!



I've just been experimenting and it certainly does open the throat more. My notes are stronger for it at least while I can maintain it, lol. It's hard to keep the teeth 1cm apart, how on earth he managed 2cm I'll never know. It even helps the low notes, they're coming out more rounded and resonant if that makes sense. AND it lifts the inner lip flesh higher so there's not as much to flap about. Now all I have to do is make it habit did I say ALL?????? eeeek!

Hi,

Wow, it sounds like you're really trying very hard with your embouchure.

May I suggest a large gin & tonic, unwind and look at it from a different angle?

All this talk of 6/7/8 mm apart etc is making you too stressed.

So many people look at their instrument as though it's a holy relic and must be played in a specific way or you may get turned into a pillar of salt. It's actually just a hollow piece of wood.


The truth is that your teacher/book will give you guidelines on how to form your embouchure, but it's up to you to experiment and see what works best.

Everyone is different. Our mouths are different shapes, long/short tongues, huge/small teeth, fat/thin lips, strong/weak lungs etc.

Try this: Take in a bit more MP into your mouth, keep the instrument almost vertical, feel the MP 'behind' the teeth, not 'under'.

Then experiment with your lower and upper lip. Play a note and change the angle of the instrument. Better or worse?

Keep experimenting. Check the MP, reed, ligature and barrel. A beginner often thinks the fault lies with their embouchure when the problem is actually the reed or MP.

Above all, HAVE FUN!

Steve

PS Don't forget to put lots of little cuts into the lemon rind. The lemon oil inside really helps the G&T!

MP?????? explain please. as for reed, a flute doesn't have one, lol.
oh and to upset you even more I'm teetotal (when you've lived with an alcoholic you lose interest in booze)

But YES I'm trying hard cos when I get it right it sound great but I don't often get it right and then it sounds HORRID!!.

but thanks for the input, I appreciate any help even if I don't understand it

MP i think he means Mouth piece

Don't put your flute in your mouth though!

I've been told that my biggest problem is myself because I'm over critical of what I do, tend to be negative (I call it being realistic!), & I overanalyse - & that can be counter-productive.
Perhaps trying to break down the process into very precise steps is making you over anxious. With me I almost ended up not being able to get any sound out of the flute at all I was so wound up about not getting it right. It seems to me that in learning to play the flute the sound you get & the working out of the right embouchure is a gradual & ongoing process. I know you don't want to learn bad habits but you're not going to have developed the strength in your muscles to get it absolutely right a few months in. Even in the last few months the sound/tone I can get has changed dramatically -but hopefully next week/ next month it will get better again but I'm trying to make the most of where I am now

Yes, the most important thing is to try something and listen to the result. The flute embouchure has to be an individual thing, as everyone's mouth is different. Try to make things worse, produce the lousiest sound you can, and see what that teaches you. We can often discover what works by going to extremes and seeing the effects of that.

And remember, none of us sounds good all the time.

Lesley,

I'm so sorry. I just assumed it was about the clarinet. Not sure why. In the last few minutes I've had a read around and I realise now about the 'FL' prefix, but not every post has them. In fact, I've just read one post where it's not clear at all because there's no prefix and the instrument isn't named!!

It was so much easier when we had the separate boards. But, I guess that's progress for you.

Anyway, good luck and. if you decide to take up the clarinet, at least you know where to come.

Steve

No problem Steve. It takes a little getting used to when thing change.

I'm afraid I'll not be doing clarinet, but thanks for the offer. Next instrument is piano, already started but very little progress there cos I'm putting so much time into getting the flute right (and I work fulltime)

Try to play the loewst note to train yourself first, it helps a lot with the air when you're playing high octave notes. Playing the lowest notes will helps your high octave notes' sound more deep and "black", rich. Or try playing Bass Clarinet helps too.