Flute Playing

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   Hi I have bought myself a flute at the car boot end of my local market (manufacturers mark reads: Arbiter Pro Sound London) and there is three things I wish to ask...
1. How do I breathe/ blow to ensure the sound produced is clear and I do not exhaust my lungs?
2. How does one check that it is in good working order?
3. Is the make of flute that I have a good one?
 I have never owned or played a flute, so I would appreciate any advice given. 

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FusionKing Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 28 2009 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 522	Topic: Flute Playing Posted: February 17 2010 at 10:37
	Hi I have bought myself a flute at the car boot end of my local market (manufacturers mark reads: Arbiter Pro Sound London) and there is three things I wish to ask... 1. How do I breathe/ blow to ensure the sound produced is clear and I do not exhaust my lungs? 2. How does one check that it is in good working order? 3. Is the make of flute that I have a good one? I have never owned or played a flute, so I would appreciate any advice given.

The Runaway Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 28 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 3144	Posted: February 17 2010 at 11:22
	I can only answer 1, so here it goes. First, you have to make sure the hole you make in your mouth is very small, because if you let out too much air you will get tired too quickly and will drop dead in no time. Make sure your bottom lip's tiny line (the one on the lower edge of it) touches the lower edge of the mouthhole. That's about it.
	Trendsetter win! The search for nonexistent perfection.

Slartibartfast Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam Joined: April 29 2006 Location: Atlantais Status: Offline Points: 29630	Posted: February 17 2010 at 12:19
	I remember from a Python sketch: "just blow in one end and move your fingers up and down along the outside" or something to that effect.
	Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

akamaisondufromage Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: May 16 2009 Location: Blighty Status: Offline Points: 6797	Posted: February 17 2010 at 13:05
	Not mentioned by anybody yet is the importance of breathing in, on occasion. (Sorry, I'm sure someone will have some useful tips)
	Help me I'm falling!

redorchid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Newbie Joined: January 04 2010 Status: Offline Points: 13	Posted: February 17 2010 at 13:43
	There are several breathing exersizes that can support you in this.. Yoga and other meditation techniques have some insane breathing techniques that could do wonders. I learnt this as I was learning bansuri while back.... And then the obvious, practice..!! Just like any other instrument, your technique to breath will improve with your playing, and your stamina will develop as well. But take caution and don't overstretch...we dont want you blue faced at the end of it.. :) Enjoy the flute journey, its a wonderful instrument. I always felt it to be closest to the heart amongst all instruments..
	http://www.redorchidbloom.com

Fracture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Newbie Joined: February 16 2009 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 14	Posted: February 22 2010 at 14:55
	A few things about the embouchure... try to relax your lips as much as possible, keep your throat open (pretend you're stifling a yawn) and when you take a breath in breathe from your stomach.. you should see your gut rise up instead of your chest. Getting a decent tone takes time though and you need to play long notes and make adjustments to your lips etc.. and see how that effects the tone. Make sure you're playing the right fingerings for notes as well or you'll start to get problems with intonation etc Oh and for articulating notes (single tonguing) the movement your tongue makes is the same as if you were saying "Tu". Have fun :D Edit: I almost forgot, it's important when you're going up the octave that you don't just blow harder, you need to redirect your airstream instead. For lower notes keep your top lip out more (this directs the air down) and for higher notes push the bottom lip out slightly. All these adjustments are tiny by the way, so try to avoid extreme movements. Edited by Fracture - February 22 2010 at 15:00