I want to get back to playing flute. Over time I have played mostly Low D or one of the various keys of whistle ~ G, C, a bit on A, occasionally F. I love whistle, but flute has a sound I cannot live without.
For starters I am playing my Sweetheart G fife. The embochure is coming along. Tips welcome.
Seems (for me at least) the bottom lip placement is more important than the upper lip. Also I roll the fife slightly away in the upper register. Oh, did I mention I am transposing mostly tunes in G. {Playing by ear}. On a tune, like "Ookpik Waltz", I'm still playing in G, but when it goes real high I'm transposing down an octave.
Point of this thread is to gather suggestions for starting back on flute. I'm, more or less, returning to flute. Years ago I taught myself flute, before I ever touched a tinwhistle. I have 3 silver flutes. Eventually I will get a simple open - holed flute. Maybe wood, though possibly one made by Desi Seery. That is down the road. Just thinking out loud, hoping to catch the attention of a few seasoned flute players.
The Sweetheart is nice, for now, & I trust it helps my ear to do the transposing. Otherwise it's mostly muscle memory. My ear can use a bit of work. Just now I picked it up & began playing "Dill Pickle Rag" Hardly Irish, though it takes me through a few semi tones & I don't have to drop down an octave. Except I'm not sure how to hit the high *A* .
Mostly woodshedding for now. I'm not up to speed for session. I keep trying, but usually fall on my face. Ouch!**
Sorry for rambling ~ it is the Peets coffee.
I just tried a few octave jumps. I didn't roll the flute at all.
Simply changed the mouth aperture/ jaw or whatever.
Perhaps rolling the flute is just nervous energy. Rolling the mouthpiece seems to change the * tuning*. Though it might just be my need to have more control of the embochure.
Play about 15 minutes a day for the first week and let your muscles
develop a bit. Then spend a few minutes playing long tones in different
parts of the flute range, experimenting with your embouchere to get
that best sound. Make sure you're not tensing up your tongue while
you play. After your long tones, play some tunes. Do you think anybody
will play "ookpick" and "dill pickle" in an irish music session? That's
a rhetorical question.
Rhetorically speaking, those are the tunes which fell under my fingers. I'd tell you the other two, but then you might begin to wonder if I even play Irish tunes. Thanks Hup!
My advice would probably be similar, but get yourself a flute in D and start playing it. The chances of taking what you practicve to a session and having people playing along with it are much greater. Exercises:
1. Long tones. When this gets boring after a while, here's one from my Boehm flute days: start quiet, get louder slowly and then back to quiet, making very sure that the tuning of the note stays the same throughout.
2. Pedal tones: e.g. DEDFDGDADBDcDBDADGDFDEDDD. Try to make a distinction between the tones off the beat and those on it, i.e. with this exercise either the Ds or the other notes should stand ou, but not both. This can be taken to the next octave, first with dedfdgda etc, and then do it jumping over the whole two octave range, i.e. DEDFDGDADBDcDdDeDfDgDaDbDc' etc. Then you can vary the base note, e.g. EDEEEFEGEA... Don't forget to do it downwards too, e..g BABGBFBEBDBE...
3. Try your octave jumps without moving either the flute OR your lips, just by changing your breath support. Not that this is the recommended way, but it is a good exercise for the breath. Indeed it is a useful exercise to keep increasing the speed until you get the higher overtones in the harmonic sequence too. Using lips and breath I can get 7 counting the base note out of my flute. Generally I am against rolling the flute since it interferes with my fingers and holding of the flute . and my lips and diaphragm are much faster anyway.
4. Don't let any of the above exercises happen on autopilot - if you notice this happening then stop and do something else. These exercises should still be musical, or what is the point in doing them?
5. Separate out the fingerwork from the breathing/embouchure work. i.e. don't try to practice your rolls on B in the middle of playing a long tone - later you can do this, but it is too much for now.
Alternatively you could select some tunes which allow you to focus on these aspects but in the context of real tunes and then practice these with concentration on these aspects. Slow airs are good for long notes, and pedal note sequences can be found all over this music.
Thanks Crackpot. Spot on about not switching to autopilot with the warmups.
I definitely will be purchasing a session flute. First, though, I want to be able to start a set (in session) on the G fife. Been playing the G whistle for a few years. Once I am able to contribute something with the Sweetheart, then a flute will soon follow.
I want the flute to be a keeper, for sure.
You ought to be able to play any of the tunes you know on whistle on your fife no matter what key it's in. Just play as if your fife is in the key of D.
I am not an expert by any means, but I have found that the embouchure isn't the same among flutes. In other words, although it certainly doesn't hurt me to play my Bb fife, it doesn't seem to help me with my D flute embouchure, either.
sbhikes, I think you are saying use the D fingering on the G fife. I can do that, although the reason I bought the G ( as well as various keys of whistle) is to be able to hear the bell tone when G is the tonal center. It's grand! Or it will be when I finally get a D flute. The Sweetheart doesn't have the low *bark* I'm hoping for.
Having said that, the fife has a challenging embouchure; for me at least. Usually, on full size flutes, I hold a fairly decent embouchure. The Sweetheart is different. It is a bit of work. It is getting better, thank you very much. When the embouchure is just so I feel right at home.
I compare it to Overton whistles. In the sense that when I play the Overton with a certain confidence there is no sound like it.
It is lovely to connect with an instrument.
I'll take your advice though & move on to the D sooner rather than later.
cheers!
If you're used to playing tunes in a session on a G whistle in keys that the others play along with then by all means play them on the G flute/fife and get them to play along with them on that.
Embouchures do differ between flutes, but I actually find that having played a range of different flutes, I can find the right embouchure for a new flute pretty quickly. And I have no problems using the right one for any of the flutes that I play regularly. Warming up on a high flute or a low flute before moving on to the regular D flute can be very useful, just because high and low flutes force you to pay attention to particular (and opposite) aspects of the flute embouchure. And understanding what you have to do differently for different flutes makes you more aware of what you're doing at all. I find even playing beer bottles useful. See how far up the harmonic series you can get. I can get four notes out of most empty bottles for the beer you get here (Hefeweizen, Pils). (People don't like sitting next to me when I hit the upper ones though...)
Flute evolution
Flute evolution
I want to get back to playing flute. Over time I have played mostly Low D or one of the various keys of whistle ~ G, C, a bit on A, occasionally F. I love whistle, but flute has a sound I cannot live without.
For starters I am playing my Sweetheart G fife. The embochure is coming along. Tips welcome.
Seems (for me at least) the bottom lip placement is more important than the upper lip. Also I roll the fife slightly away in the upper register. Oh, did I mention I am transposing mostly tunes in G. {Playing by ear}. On a tune, like "Ookpik Waltz", I'm still playing in G, but when it goes real high I'm transposing down an octave.
Point of this thread is to gather suggestions for starting back on flute. I'm, more or less, returning to flute. Years ago I taught myself flute, before I ever touched a tinwhistle. I have 3 silver flutes. Eventually I will get a simple open - holed flute. Maybe wood, though possibly one made by Desi Seery. That is down the road. Just thinking out loud, hoping to catch the attention of a few seasoned flute players.
The Sweetheart is nice, for now, & I trust it helps my ear to do the transposing. Otherwise it's mostly muscle memory. My ear can use a bit of work. Just now I picked it up & began playing "Dill Pickle Rag" Hardly Irish, though it takes me through a few semi tones & I don't have to drop down an octave. Except I'm not sure how to hit the high *A* .
Mostly woodshedding for now. I'm not up to speed for session. I keep trying, but usually fall on my face. Ouch!**
Sorry for rambling ~ it is the Peets coffee.
# Posted on September 6th 2009 by Ben Steen
*
I just tried a few octave jumps. I didn't roll the flute at all.
Simply changed the mouth aperture/ jaw or whatever.
Perhaps rolling the flute is just nervous energy. Rolling the mouthpiece seems to change the * tuning*. Though it might just be my need to have more control of the embochure.
# Posted on September 6th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Flute evolution
Play about 15 minutes a day for the first week and let your muscles
develop a bit. Then spend a few minutes playing long tones in different
parts of the flute range, experimenting with your embouchere to get
that best sound. Make sure you're not tensing up your tongue while
you play. After your long tones, play some tunes. Do you think anybody
will play "ookpick" and "dill pickle" in an irish music session? That's
a rhetorical question.
# Posted on September 7th 2009 by Hup
Re: Flute evolution
Rhetorically speaking, those are the tunes which fell under my fingers. I'd tell you the other two, but then you might begin to wonder if I even play Irish tunes. Thanks Hup!
# Posted on September 7th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Flute evolution
I recommend slow airs to build up your tone and expression.
# Posted on September 7th 2009 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Flute evolution
Now that you mention it, there is a particular air I play on Low C which can be done on the G fife. I like that.
# Posted on September 7th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Flute evolution
My advice would probably be similar, but get yourself a flute in D and start playing it. The chances of taking what you practicve to a session and having people playing along with it are much greater. Exercises:
1. Long tones. When this gets boring after a while, here's one from my Boehm flute days: start quiet, get louder slowly and then back to quiet, making very sure that the tuning of the note stays the same throughout.
2. Pedal tones: e.g. DEDFDGDADBDcDBDADGDFDEDDD. Try to make a distinction between the tones off the beat and those on it, i.e. with this exercise either the Ds or the other notes should stand ou, but not both. This can be taken to the next octave, first with dedfdgda etc, and then do it jumping over the whole two octave range, i.e. DEDFDGDADBDcDdDeDfDgDaDbDc' etc. Then you can vary the base note, e.g. EDEEEFEGEA... Don't forget to do it downwards too, e..g BABGBFBEBDBE...
3. Try your octave jumps without moving either the flute OR your lips, just by changing your breath support. Not that this is the recommended way, but it is a good exercise for the breath. Indeed it is a useful exercise to keep increasing the speed until you get the higher overtones in the harmonic sequence too. Using lips and breath I can get 7 counting the base note out of my flute. Generally I am against rolling the flute since it interferes with my fingers and holding of the flute . and my lips and diaphragm are much faster anyway.
4. Don't let any of the above exercises happen on autopilot - if you notice this happening then stop and do something else. These exercises should still be musical, or what is the point in doing them?
5. Separate out the fingerwork from the breathing/embouchure work. i.e. don't try to practice your rolls on B in the middle of playing a long tone - later you can do this, but it is too much for now.
Alternatively you could select some tunes which allow you to focus on these aspects but in the context of real tunes and then practice these with concentration on these aspects. Slow airs are good for long notes, and pedal note sequences can be found all over this music.
Good luck.
# Posted on September 7th 2009 by Crackpot
Re: Flute evolution
I just made myself a low D flute out of PVC pipe. I can play it really well slowly, but not fast. Any tips?
Thanks
# Posted on September 7th 2009 by scordion
Re: Flute evolution
Thanks Crackpot. Spot on about not switching to autopilot with the warmups.
I definitely will be purchasing a session flute. First, though, I want to be able to start a set (in session) on the G fife. Been playing the G whistle for a few years. Once I am able to contribute something with the Sweetheart, then a flute will soon follow.
I want the flute to be a keeper, for sure.
# Posted on September 7th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Flute evolution
You ought to be able to play any of the tunes you know on whistle on your fife no matter what key it's in. Just play as if your fife is in the key of D.
I am not an expert by any means, but I have found that the embouchure isn't the same among flutes. In other words, although it certainly doesn't hurt me to play my Bb fife, it doesn't seem to help me with my D flute embouchure, either.
# Posted on September 8th 2009 by sbhikes
Re: Flute evolution
sbhikes, I think you are saying use the D fingering on the G fife. I can do that, although the reason I bought the G ( as well as various keys of whistle) is to be able to hear the bell tone when G is the tonal center. It's grand! Or it will be when I finally get a D flute. The Sweetheart doesn't have the low *bark* I'm hoping for.
Having said that, the fife has a challenging embouchure; for me at least. Usually, on full size flutes, I hold a fairly decent embouchure. The Sweetheart is different. It is a bit of work. It is getting better, thank you very much. When the embouchure is just so I feel right at home.
I compare it to Overton whistles. In the sense that when I play the Overton with a certain confidence there is no sound like it.
It is lovely to connect with an instrument.
I'll take your advice though & move on to the D sooner rather than later.
cheers!
# Posted on September 8th 2009 by Ben Steen
~
played "The New Broom" this morning. Although only the A part.
# Posted on September 8th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Flute evolution
You'll know if flutes have evolved when you see flutes with little legs scurrying around a session.
# Posted on September 8th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Flute evolution
If you're used to playing tunes in a session on a G whistle in keys that the others play along with then by all means play them on the G flute/fife and get them to play along with them on that.
Embouchures do differ between flutes, but I actually find that having played a range of different flutes, I can find the right embouchure for a new flute pretty quickly. And I have no problems using the right one for any of the flutes that I play regularly. Warming up on a high flute or a low flute before moving on to the regular D flute can be very useful, just because high and low flutes force you to pay attention to particular (and opposite) aspects of the flute embouchure. And understanding what you have to do differently for different flutes makes you more aware of what you're doing at all. I find even playing beer bottles useful. See how far up the harmonic series you can get. I can get four notes out of most empty bottles for the beer you get here (Hefeweizen, Pils). (People don't like sitting next to me when I hit the upper ones though...)
# Posted on September 8th 2009 by Crackpot
Re: Flute evolution
Strangely enough, I did (re-?)invent a small set of flute legs to stop the keyless rolling off the table...
# Posted on September 8th 2009 by Crackpot
Re: Flute evolution
Fair play! With way too much coffee the 1st post describes my evolution from Low D to flute. This mornings' coffee is no match for Peets' blend.
# Posted on September 8th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Flute evolution
Sometimes I fold a beer mat to make a whistle rest, to keep it on a sloping table. Has this idea got legs?
# Posted on September 8th 2009 by minijackpot