I have trouble controlling my dynamics on the flute, especially on high and low notes. People told me that if you blow harder, the note will get louder, but when I try to do that on low notes, they always jump up an octave,(vice versa on higher notes). I'm trying to learn this so I can sound expressive when I play. Thank you!
2 Answers
Argh, those infuriating high and low notes! I know how you feel, and while it is true that the low notes will never be that loud and the high ones will never be that soft, there are ways to make them more even.
Blowing harder is not the answer to make the low notes loud - as you noticed, that just makes the note jump up an octave! What you need to do instead is focus your air, by tightening your embouchere (your lips) and directing the air downwards into the flute. As a matter of fact, that is the correct way to make your notes loud, no matter their range; blowing harder is a waste of air and tends to give you a squeaky sound.
In the same way, relaxing your embouchere somewhat and not directing the air in the same way will help to make the high notes softer. It's a shame you don't have a flute teacher to help you with this, but if your band director plays trumpet, he probably knows something about emboucheres and dynamics (though the way trumpeters use their embouchere is quite different from how flutists use theirs). You could talk to him.
Keep trying! When you get it right, try and notice what you did; then you can repeat it. It will come :)
-
Thank you, Mary! There's only one thing that bothers me- if I try to relax on the high notes and accidentally overdo it, it jumps down again. How can you 'fight' that?– user35655Commented Mar 2, 2017 at 0:33
-
Sadly enough, there is really no way to fight except practice. Eventually you'll learn how much you can relax and focus without having the note jump up and down. I'm still learning, and I've been playing flute for seven years now XD– TMaryCommented Mar 2, 2017 at 3:32
Practice. Particularly practice long notes, crescendo, diminuendo and at steady levels. High notes can be played pretty softly. Low ones can't get THAT loud. Your teacher will demonstrate and point out any basic technique problems.
-
I don't have a teacher, I only have a school band director that only plays drums and trumpet, so I kinda have to learn myself :(Can you tell me any particular excersizes that might help or any common problems and how to avoid them, maybe?– user35655Commented Dec 30, 2016 at 6:29
-
Ouch! Perhaps consult with a more experienced flute player in the band then?– LaurenceCommented Dec 31, 2016 at 11:52
-
It's also important to have someone check the flute to make sure no pads are leaking, which is common and will make it next to impossible to play the low notes loudly. Commented Jan 6, 2017 at 19:57
-
@Laurence Payne I wish I could, but I'm first-chair flute... the person in second chair challenged me multiple times, but they didn't beat me. (No bragging intended)– user35655Commented Jan 18, 2017 at 23:04
-
@Scott Wallace We got my flute checked a couple of days ago, and they say it's fine. I've also tried playing on other people's flutes, but I get the same result.– user35655Commented Jan 18, 2017 at 23:06