I’ve just recently noticed that sometimes at the end of a set, the flute will go flat just at the end of the last note. Is this a deliberate technique or is it a lack of technique?
It should not be deliberate.
Sliding into a note is an acceptable musical practice, as you move from tension to release. But sliding out of tune just sounds bad. If someone is doing it on purpose, because they think it sounds good, please correct them.
When you don't provide proper breath support on a wind instrument, you can go flat, and it is easy to do this on a long note such as the one that generally gets tacked on at the end of a tune.
Sometimes, though, it is almost unavoidable, as these tunes take a lot of wind!
annnd by "stink and just can't help it"
i mean, i wouldn't laugh at a new flute player who didn't realize they were doing it.
but i'd laugh if someone did it on purpose and gave a sheepish grin at the end.
I should clarify, that I've been hearing this with some of the amatuers that I play with and pretty much thought that it was just a matter of not being able physically to sustain the note.
But then the guy from Grada did it last night at a concert I went to. He did it very quickly so that it gave a bit of a punch to the end of the tune. So, I thought it was probably on purpose and wondered if it were a standard effect and if that's what the amatuers were really trying for.
Yes, iampeterfonda, I,m sure it was totally on purpose, thats what I thought you were on about, some of us do it on occasion. Sorry jaime! for getting your gender wrong. I do sometimes bend the the last note, but I don't smirk.
I've noticed that few trad. musicians use much diaphragm support on wind instruments, squeezing your stomach muscles will increase the air speed at the air speed, and stop you going flat especially when you're running out of air toward the end of a note.
you probably already know this but yeah i'll have my rant anyway
hmmm, i'm not sure if i understand the phenomenon going on here: going flat just at the end of the last note? if deliberate. it doensn't sound like it would be a nice addition.
I’ve heard this done, and probably done it myself on the whistle, quite intentionally. It can be a nice dramatic device in a slow tune, if done subtly, the way a singer might do it. It’s a way of putting a soft ending to a phrase, the same way a quick slide into a note softens the attack.
Sliding out of a note just at the end of a fast tune, though, seems more like a mistake.
Flute Intonation
Flute Intonation
I’ve just recently noticed that sometimes at the end of a set, the flute will go flat just at the end of the last note. Is this a deliberate technique or is it a lack of technique?
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by iampeterfonda
Re: Flute Intonation
It should not be deliberate.
Sliding into a note is an acceptable musical practice, as you move from tension to release. But sliding out of tune just sounds bad. If someone is doing it on purpose, because they think it sounds good, please correct them.
When you don't provide proper breath support on a wind instrument, you can go flat, and it is easy to do this on a long note such as the one that generally gets tacked on at the end of a tune.
Sometimes, though, it is almost unavoidable, as these tunes take a lot of wind!
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Flute Intonation
i think it's funny when people do that.
unless they stink and just can't help it. :/
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by jaime!
Re: Flute Intonation
Yes, I do this sometimes quite deliberately, just for the hell of it, iampeterfonda.
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by curlew
Re: Flute Intonation
Unfortunately jaime! posted his, ahem, 'contribution' at the same time as me.
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by curlew
Re: Flute Intonation
I remeber the Young Tradition singing this, and it can be quite impressive, if a group does it. Not sure about individuals, or musicians.
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Flute Intonation
Should never post before checking spelling - remember.
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Not his...
curlew, i'm not a boy!
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by jaime!
annnd by "stink and just can't help it"
i mean, i wouldn't laugh at a new flute player who didn't realize they were doing it.
but i'd laugh if someone did it on purpose and gave a sheepish grin at the end.
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by jaime!
Re: Flute Intonation
I should clarify, that I've been hearing this with some of the amatuers that I play with and pretty much thought that it was just a matter of not being able physically to sustain the note.
But then the guy from Grada did it last night at a concert I went to. He did it very quickly so that it gave a bit of a punch to the end of the tune. So, I thought it was probably on purpose and wondered if it were a standard effect and if that's what the amatuers were really trying for.
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by iampeterfonda
Re: Flute Intonation
Yes, iampeterfonda, I,m sure it was totally on purpose, thats what I thought you were on about, some of us do it on occasion. Sorry jaime! for getting your gender wrong. I do sometimes bend the the last note, but I don't smirk.
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by curlew
Re: Flute Intonation
ah, a bend but no smirk? well then i guess i'd have to decide on the spot if giggling were appropriate!
# Posted on March 27th 2006 by jaime!
Re: Flute Intonation
I've noticed that few trad. musicians use much diaphragm support on wind instruments, squeezing your stomach muscles will increase the air speed at the air speed, and stop you going flat especially when you're running out of air toward the end of a note.
you probably already know this but yeah i'll have my rant anyway
# Posted on March 28th 2006 by flute jen
Re: Flute Intonation
Yes but squeezing the stomach muscles after 9 pints of Guinness could have untoward consequences...
# Posted on March 28th 2006 by LastToFinish
Re: Flute Intonation
hmmm, i'm not sure if i understand the phenomenon going on here: going flat just at the end of the last note? if deliberate. it doensn't sound like it would be a nice addition.
# Posted on March 28th 2006 by Brendan
Re: Flute Intonation
I’ve heard this done, and probably done it myself on the whistle, quite intentionally. It can be a nice dramatic device in a slow tune, if done subtly, the way a singer might do it. It’s a way of putting a soft ending to a phrase, the same way a quick slide into a note softens the attack.
Sliding out of a note just at the end of a fast tune, though, seems more like a mistake.
# Posted on March 28th 2006 by Bob himself