pov: you have a chair competition and you’re freaking out because you don’t know the song because you having really been trying and your band teacher moves to fast so you are trying to make sure you sound decent even though it doesn’t matter because you are already last chair (help me)
Hi Stewy Louie! I hope your chair competition went ok! I know how frustrating it is when the band conductor moves too fast for you - I see it in my younger students all the time and it's really hard for them. Good luck practising your pieces! Jane :)
Fab tips as always. I’ve been experimenting w not holding my lips as tight against the flute, Sometimes I’m really pressing too hard. So I tried holding the flute really loose and it is definitely possible to press to little, too softly! Getting the embouchure opening smaller and the air stream focused, all the things you share, are really helping my tone. And really listening!
im getting o frustrated over this!! (not the video) iv'e been changing the way i blow SOOO many times and it either get worse or worse, i need mega help and tomorrow i have online band class and i havent nearly improved since i got it yesterday
Hi Bob - I hope your online band class went well (and I hope you get to go back to real life band rehearsals soon!) If you're still stuck, try out this mini-course to help your sound (it's free, and very effective!): www.flute.school/free
All these decades of being embarrassed of my bad tone, I wish when I was taking lessons many years ago someone would have taught me these things. Thank goodness for RUclips!
Oh my god this helped so much! I’ve been playing Clarinet for a while and I’ve been waiting to play the flute for a while. When I’ve been trying to get a good sound on the flute is would sound so weird but this help me thank you. 😌
Thanks for your advice. I am reconnecting with my flute while in lockdown in Oman. I am Australian but have not picked up my flute for 15 years or so. I don't have access to a tutor here at the moment - so your videos are very helpful. Thank you.
I've played fluted 5 years and rested for 2 years, and when I was back again, I found ny self trubke with the high notes. Then solution number 4 solved it instantly! Thank you!
Hi cparis! Yes, high F# is a hard one! The best thing you can do is learn how to control your high notes in general using your embouchure and air (anything above E2 you can start using this control). Once you get better at that, the F#3 will feel a LOT easier. Good luck!
Thanks so much Jane. I have been doing weekly lessons and practicing nearly every morning, and really been struggling with the points you have mentioned. I have had a piece cut out of my lower lip, which has left scar-tissue, which makes it difficult to feel the mouthpiece properly. I will definitely be attending your course. Thank you so much!
Hi Jonathan, 😀 That's great to hear my lessons have helped you. That does sound tricky if you've lost a bit of feeling where the mouthpiece needs to go. Definitely have a mirror near by so you can check your embouchure and positioning more frequently. If you'd like to learn more from me, you're welcome to join me in The Flute Academy. Here is the link in case you're interested. www.flute.school/academy
Great tips Jane, thanks ! Hope your channel will grow big soon !A good one which was like enlightement for me : take very good care of your lips, especially during winter time. Dry, chapped or wounded lips are all no-no's. Biting your lips (my specialty) is a habit which must be quit. Every time you feel like biting, use lip balm. Use it several times a day, and always have a tube in your bag or the pocket of your jacket. When non available, any food grade fat/oil might help. Natural ones are better than petroleum-based ones. Maybe this is more relevant to males as lipstick hydrates ;)
Oh thank you for the lovely comment Adje! As for dry lips - yes indeed - look after them. I have a theory that drinking enough water helps keep them hydrated too, which seems to work for me. jane
Thank you for the tips! I often think my sound isn’t clear enough. I try to record myself to hear what I sound like from an audience stand point (I only have my phone camera and mic nothing really fancy) and it always sounds so rough and it’s been really frustrating. I’ve been told it sounds worse than in real when I record it but I’m not sure what to think :((
Hi Ace, If your tone is sounding a bit fluffy, check out my free 3 day mini course. This will hopefully help you clear up your tone on the flute! Here's the link in case you're interested. www.flute.school/free
I go to a music school and had to choose an instrument and I chose the flute. I love playing it and was really good until I got my braces and my teacher barely helped me. You have taught me more then she has in 2 years
All good points. In my case, only having taken up focused daily practice a little less than a week ago I've got to a point where it's just my mouth muscles are really tired from the long practice I did earlier in the day. I have the Trevor Wye book on tone, and droning voice and wind instruments has been a thing of mine since picking up circular breathing on didgeridoo. Yes it's a lot. I've only played flute somewhat casually for a couple of decades, so I never trained embouchure to the point where I could get the shrill shriek out of my high notes, or clearly sound low notes after jamming up high for awhile. Tai Ji long time discipline, 70% rule deeply trained. If I rest my mouth for a few more hours everything will be well. Trying to apply any of these ideas still leaves my mouth too tired to hold the shape open for low notes. I'm still working on the first two pages of exercises in the book. It's all long drones, like starting on B and not moving from there until it's really good. Then, use whole breath to drone two notes descending chromatic down. Or sounding out the harmonic tower above each of the low key positions, where I'm still getting the accuracy to hit the one I want and not just whatever one pops out, or goes up or down when I don't mean to. Might sound pretty, but it's uncontrolled. Rest is important, especially this early in my focused training.
That's awesome to hear you've started doing focused daily practise! 😀 If you haven't yet, check out my free three day mini course on tone. www.flute.school/free If your muscles or lips do start to feel tired, definitely take a short break, then recommence as you don't want to overdo it too quickly.
Thank you you give really good technical tips, getting that beautiful tone is what we all look to do. I used to think it was down to what the Flute was made of. but its down to know how and tecnique.. I think.😊
Hi! Your videos are very informational. I have a question though, how long will it usually take to get a clear sound that is not airy? I've been trying to fix my embouchure with the help of my music teacher, and I was wondering if I will get a clear sound in a like a week or will I have to practice it for a longer time?
Hi SS - that's a really good question. The truth is that I can get anyone to make a good sound within a week or two by teaching them EXACTLY how to form a great embouchure. And then that becomes a habit, and they'll always have a good sound, but obviously will refine in over the months and years. When i teach students who have already learnt an embouchure that is not great, I spend time fixing it for them. It takes longer to get a clear sound because we're getting their mouth OUT of habits. But the good thing is that you'll be able to notice immediate changes, and those improvements just keep adding up, and you eventually fix your embouchure. Hope that helps!
I’ve always had ups and downs with my tone. I have never heard anyone talk about shifting my aperture slightly over to compensate for my pronounced teardrop in my upper lip. I can make a perfect ellipse like that whereas if I center my aperture I get a very irregular shape. It might be difficult to make this adjustment but I wonder if I should give it a try. Thank you 🙏. Michael
Thank you so much! I didn’t except this to help because I tried many times but I couldn’t get a clear sound. As soon as I implemented your tips I could hear a better sound. Thanks again
Hey Jane - love your channel & swing by often for little tidbits of inspiration. This vid helped me enormously today. I had lost my way & you helped me get re-centered on the chin. Thank you - made my day!!!
Hi Ivan, That's great to hear you're back to your flute playing! 😀 The Flute Academy is open all year round. Here's the sign up page if you're keen to join! www.flute.school/academy
Hi Mula, yes there are! This should get you started: Look in the mirror when you play long notes and see if you can close your mouth more. Try your very best to close without squeezing. You'll know you're getting in right because the sound will get clearer at the same time. Good luck!
Hi Zoro! I hope your concert went well and that you worked out how to play F. If you would like a flute fingering chart, you can grab a free one here. www.flute.school/chart
Hi Edi - yes I do have a suggestion. Try out this mini course www.flute.school/highnotes - lots of people have your issue (transitioning from low to high notes), so these lessons will definitely help you as they've helped other people a lot. Good luck! Jane
Hi BESM, true, there's not much on alto flute out there. Mostly because it's very similar technique to the lower octave on the flute. If you can play low notes on flute well, the alto flute is basically just that! Perhaps not what you wanted to hear, but it is an easy solution I guess! Jane
Vibrato is a technique which you need to be taught. To start off learning vibrato on the flute, it needs to come from your belly using 'ha-ha' with your airstream. Then eventually you'll thin this out so it will become smoother. In case you're interested, Jane has a technique workshop on vibrato inside The Flute Academy. You'll have access to this lesson straight away upon joining. The May 2022 technique workshop is called 'How to play with beautiful vibrato' in which you'll learn the 10 steps on how to achieve vibrato on the flute. 😊 Here's the link to The Flute Academy in case you're interested in learning more from Jane. flute.school/academy
Now I have found a confusing situation that I got to fix. My embochure turns to a kiss pose when I want to play a higher note. Is that normal or a problem?
Hi Ririka - a "kiss" pose is too much "pouting". The high note technique is a verrrrry slightly pout. If you're pouting a lot, it probably means the hole in your mouth is too big. Try doing the mini-course here if you haven't already: www.flute.school/free and it will help you clear up your tone and help your high notes!
Hi AN, I don't think so. I don't have big lips myself, but I have noticed there are really good flute players out there who have big lips. Which makes me think it's not an issue! Best of luck with your playing :)
Thank you for your series of excellent, succinct, clear advice. No BS., no irrelevant natter, just straight forward good advice. Impressive. I gave up playing the flute more than half a century ago when I was told that my thick lips is an inborn impediment. Couldn’t afford lessons then. I have just restarted playing the flute a month ago. Tone quality of the bottom octave is terribly fluffy and quiet whilst the top octave is too loud. Are thick lips is a real obstacle? You have nice thin lips that you can purse into a narrow slit; mine are three times thicker. Are there thick lipped competent flautist around? Uncle Charlie People’s Republic of China.
Hi Uncle Charlie - thanks for your very nice comment. I'm so glad the videos are helpful to you! So I was thinking about your question about thick lips and if they are an obstacle to playing the flute and my first thought is "no they're not". But! I have no first hand experience with it, so I don't know for sure. There's really only one way to find out - find someone with thick lips who is great at the flute! I did a bit of googling for you and have you heard of Lizzo? She's a good flute player and I THINK she has big lips. Have a google of her and see what you think. And good luck! I suspect big lips are not a problem. And you only have to find ONE example of a good flute player with big lips to prove that right! Jane :)
Thank you. Good to learn an experienced flute teacher like you have not heard of thick lips being an impediment to flute playing. After some practice with your advice, I am happy to report that my now adjusted embouchure is improving tone quality. Watched Lizzo on RUclips but was only able to learn her “Twerk” but not her embouchure. She is black, but her lips are not as thick as my fat Chinese lips.
Jane...you forgot about the other 10,001 variables that all need to be perfect. I've seen circus performers juggle a maximum of six objects at the same time. These are highly skilled professionals. Imagine trying to give them 9,995 more items to juggle at the same time.
Hey starlight, oh yes, that's a really good idea for a video! I'll add it to my list to record. If you sound better when you tighten the screw at the top of your flute, it sounds like the cork has dried out. It shouldn't affect your sound quality (just your tuning), and in fact, the screw shouldn't need to be turned at all. If you can, get your flute checked out by a repairer and they'll be able to fix the cork for you if it needs replacing. Good luck!
My woodwind teacher would tell me after a lesson that I won't have trouble playing wrong notes cause I would know right away with both my bassoon and flute
Ririka, that's good that you can hear that you've played a wrong note! (Some people don't notice!) Try and go a little slower in your music to ensure that you have enough "thinking time" so that you can play the right notes - this will help build your fingers and brain into an automatic habit of playing the right notes. Good luck!
you are lack of teaching, you always say create a small hole in a mouth to prevent airy or losing air i watch your other video too but everytime you do a scale you doesn't included the low C,in my opinion the low C is more important to learn i try what you though then create a small hole but that low C doesn't sound, i gotten flat sound. . geezzz !
Hi there! For low notes, you need to relax your embouchure - meaning it can be bigger especially for low C. Make sure you use a gentle airstream for these low notes. For high notes, use a small embouchure (corners of your mouth come forward) and consistent airstream. 😀
pov: you have a chair competition and you’re freaking out because you don’t know the song because you having really been trying and your band teacher moves to fast so you are trying to make sure you sound decent even though it doesn’t matter because you are already last chair (help me)
wait same-
i dont have chair competitions but i sit at the last chair and i know im the worst flutist lol
Hi Stewy Louie! I hope your chair competition went ok! I know how frustrating it is when the band conductor moves too fast for you - I see it in my younger students all the time and it's really hard for them. Good luck practising your pieces! Jane :)
Ummm how’d you know!
I’m at 1st Chair.But I’m scared Cause I used to have a good flute sound.And now I don’t.Idk why tho.
Can anyone tell me why?
Great idea having a fluffy stuff toy in the background while talking about fluffy sounds. :)
Ah that is an excellent point Victor! Very true!
That’s why I kept passing out light headed every time I played the flute thank you so much I knew this wasn’t healthy 😂
Ha! I'm glad that's fixed and you're not getting light headed now! Good on you.
I have been seeing your videos about how to avoid airy sound and i got a very nice sound after watching it. So thanks for your lessons
You're very welcome!
Fab tips as always. I’ve been experimenting w not holding my lips as tight against the flute, Sometimes I’m really pressing too hard. So I tried holding the flute really loose and it is definitely possible to press to little, too softly! Getting the embouchure opening smaller and the air stream focused, all the things you share, are really helping my tone. And really listening!
That's great Robert that you're getting some good changes - you sound like an observant student! Jane
im getting o frustrated over this!! (not the video) iv'e been changing the way i blow SOOO many times and it either get worse or worse, i need mega help and tomorrow i have online band class and i havent nearly improved since i got it yesterday
Hi Bob - I hope your online band class went well (and I hope you get to go back to real life band rehearsals soon!) If you're still stuck, try out this mini-course to help your sound (it's free, and very effective!): www.flute.school/free
Although it might be frustrated we all get stuck just know eventually you WILL get better you just rlly have to try hard
All these decades of being embarrassed of my bad tone, I wish when I was taking lessons many years ago someone would have taught me these things. Thank goodness for RUclips!
Glad to hear you're enjoying my tips! Hopefully you can fix up any bad habits! 😊
Oh my god this helped so much! I’ve been playing Clarinet for a while and I’ve been waiting to play the flute for a while. When I’ve been trying to get a good sound on the flute is would sound so weird but this help me thank you. 😌
Well that is just GREAT Chicken! Glad to hear it helped so much :)
I have a really hard time with clarinet and my tone on flute is much easier i just have issues when i play really fast on flute. Good luck!
Thanks for your advice. I am reconnecting with my flute while in lockdown in Oman. I am Australian but have not picked up my flute for 15 years or so. I don't have access to a tutor here at the moment - so your videos are very helpful. Thank you.
That's great to hear Bill that the videos are helpful! Good luck with your playing during lockdown on the other side of the world :)
I've played fluted 5 years and rested for 2 years, and when I was back again, I found ny self trubke with the high notes. Then solution number 4 solved it instantly! Thank you!
Yay that's so awesome to hear! Glad my video helped you with your high notes! 😊
any tips on playing good high F #?? I am going CRAZY over this.
Hi cparis! Yes, high F# is a hard one! The best thing you can do is learn how to control your high notes in general using your embouchure and air (anything above E2 you can start using this control). Once you get better at that, the F#3 will feel a LOT easier. Good luck!
Hi again cparis, I'm just about to release a video on playing high F# - thought you might want to see it! Jane
Thanks so much Jane. I have been doing weekly lessons and practicing nearly every morning, and really been struggling with the points you have mentioned. I have had a piece cut out of my lower lip, which has left scar-tissue, which makes it difficult to feel the mouthpiece properly. I will definitely be attending your course. Thank you so much!
Hi Jonathan, 😀
That's great to hear my lessons have helped you. That does sound tricky if you've lost a bit of feeling where the mouthpiece needs to go. Definitely have a mirror near by so you can check your embouchure and positioning more frequently. If you'd like to learn more from me, you're welcome to join me in The Flute Academy. Here is the link in case you're interested. www.flute.school/academy
Great tips Jane, thanks ! Hope your channel will grow big soon !A good one which was like enlightement for me : take very good care of your lips, especially during winter time. Dry, chapped or wounded lips are all no-no's. Biting your lips (my specialty) is a habit which must be quit. Every time you feel like biting, use lip balm. Use it several times a day, and always have a tube in your bag or the pocket of your jacket. When non available, any food grade fat/oil might help. Natural ones are better than petroleum-based ones. Maybe this is more relevant to males as lipstick hydrates ;)
Oh thank you for the lovely comment Adje! As for dry lips - yes indeed - look after them. I have a theory that drinking enough water helps keep them hydrated too, which seems to work for me. jane
Thank you for the tips! I often think my sound isn’t clear enough. I try to record myself to hear what I sound like from an audience stand point (I only have my phone camera and mic nothing really fancy) and it always sounds so rough and it’s been really frustrating. I’ve been told it sounds worse than in real when I record it but I’m not sure what to think :((
Hi Ace,
If your tone is sounding a bit fluffy, check out my free 3 day mini course. This will hopefully help you clear up your tone on the flute!
Here's the link in case you're interested. www.flute.school/free
I go to a music school and had to choose an instrument and I chose the flute. I love playing it and was really good until I got my braces and my teacher barely helped me. You have taught me more then she has in 2 years
Wow Naynay! That's amazing to hear! I hope that my videos continue to help you!
All good points. In my case, only having taken up focused daily practice a little less than a week ago I've got to a point where it's just my mouth muscles are really tired from the long practice I did earlier in the day. I have the Trevor Wye book on tone, and droning voice and wind instruments has been a thing of mine since picking up circular breathing on didgeridoo. Yes it's a lot. I've only played flute somewhat casually for a couple of decades, so I never trained embouchure to the point where I could get the shrill shriek out of my high notes, or clearly sound low notes after jamming up high for awhile. Tai Ji long time discipline, 70% rule deeply trained. If I rest my mouth for a few more hours everything will be well. Trying to apply any of these ideas still leaves my mouth too tired to hold the shape open for low notes. I'm still working on the first two pages of exercises in the book. It's all long drones, like starting on B and not moving from there until it's really good. Then, use whole breath to drone two notes descending chromatic down. Or sounding out the harmonic tower above each of the low key positions, where I'm still getting the accuracy to hit the one I want and not just whatever one pops out, or goes up or down when I don't mean to. Might sound pretty, but it's uncontrolled. Rest is important, especially this early in my focused training.
That's awesome to hear you've started doing focused daily practise! 😀
If you haven't yet, check out my free three day mini course on tone. www.flute.school/free
If your muscles or lips do start to feel tired, definitely take a short break, then recommence as you don't want to overdo it too quickly.
Great advice, thanks for this.
Thank you you give really good technical tips, getting that beautiful tone is what we all look to do.
I used to think it was down to what the Flute was made of. but its down to know how and tecnique.. I think.😊
Glad to hear my video was helpful Jacqui! 😊
Hi! Your videos are very informational. I have a question though, how long will it usually take to get a clear sound that is not airy? I've been trying to fix my embouchure with the help of my music teacher, and I was wondering if I will get a clear sound in a like a week or will I have to practice it for a longer time?
Hi SS - that's a really good question. The truth is that I can get anyone to make a good sound within a week or two by teaching them EXACTLY how to form a great embouchure. And then that becomes a habit, and they'll always have a good sound, but obviously will refine in over the months and years. When i teach students who have already learnt an embouchure that is not great, I spend time fixing it for them. It takes longer to get a clear sound because we're getting their mouth OUT of habits. But the good thing is that you'll be able to notice immediate changes, and those improvements just keep adding up, and you eventually fix your embouchure. Hope that helps!
thank you so much for the awesome tips! i found that my tone improved immediately after i tried them out.
Yay! That's so awesome to hear! If you'd like to learn more from me, you're very welcome to join me in The Flute Academy. 😀www.flute.school/academy
Thanks mam
You're welcome Makesh!
I watched your video on high notes, I was like no way am I gonna get it but I actually was able to to do it 😃 it felt great
Claire, that is the BEST comment! You've made my day. And good on you!!
@@JaneFluteSchool I'm really glad and thank you so much, you have been such a big help
Thanks! This video is really helpful for my flute class!
I'm so glad Aheean! Good luck in your flute class!
Omg this helped me so much I’ve been playing flute for like 5 years 😭
Well that's fantastic to hear Lauren!
Has anybody else watched this for years and every time getting a better sound.
That's great Taylor!! I love that you're getting a better sound every time you watch it.
Always good lessons Jane! Thanks!
Thank you so much! Glad you're enjoying the lessons! 😊
I’ve always had ups and downs with my tone. I have never heard anyone talk about shifting my aperture slightly over to compensate for my pronounced teardrop in my upper lip. I can make a perfect ellipse like that whereas if I center my aperture I get a very irregular shape. It might be difficult to make this adjustment but I wonder if I should give it a try. Thank you 🙏. Michael
Hi Michael,
Let us know how you go using an off-centre embouchure. Hope this helps you with your flute playing! 😊
Thank you so much! I didn’t except this to help because I tried many times but I couldn’t get a clear sound. As soon as I implemented your tips I could hear a better sound. Thanks again
Thanks excellent to hear that it helped Tasy! Jane
Hey Jane - love your channel & swing by often for little tidbits of inspiration. This vid helped me enormously today. I had lost my way & you helped me get re-centered on the chin. Thank you - made my day!!!
That's fantastic to hear that the videos help you! Thanks for telling me too :)
Thanks you helped me a lot
Glad to hear that!
i dont understand how you don't have more subs cause i've learned so much and i just watched 4 videos keep op the fantastic work
Yay Oliver! Thanks for such a great comment! I'd like more subs too :) That's great to hear that you learned a lot - good on you!!
Greetings Jane.
I am back to Flute.
When is you Flute school opening?
i would like to enroll.
Hi Ivan,
That's great to hear you're back to your flute playing! 😀
The Flute Academy is open all year round. Here's the sign up page if you're keen to join! www.flute.school/academy
Thank you for the tips it’s helped me a lot
oh that's great to hear that it helped you! Jane
Super helpful. Thanks
Glad it was helpful Sisi Cake!
Jane any exercises to make the aperture hole smaller ..please can you share in case you do have the exercises
Hi Mula, yes there are! This should get you started: Look in the mirror when you play long notes and see if you can close your mouth more. Try your very best to close without squeezing. You'll know you're getting in right because the sound will get clearer at the same time. Good luck!
Great! Thanks!
You're welcome Joris!
Can you help with F please I have a concert and I don’t know how to make the noise come out
Hi Zoro! I hope your concert went well and that you worked out how to play F. If you would like a flute fingering chart, you can grab a free one here. www.flute.school/chart
Thank you very much
You are welcome George!
THANK YOU!!!!
You're welcome Val!
I have a decent tone on all register except when transitioning from lows to highs, it seem I cannot adjust my lips fast enough, any tips? Thank you.
Hi Edi - yes I do have a suggestion. Try out this mini course www.flute.school/highnotes - lots of people have your issue (transitioning from low to high notes), so these lessons will definitely help you as they've helped other people a lot. Good luck! Jane
There is soooooo little teaching on alto flute. Any ideas? Only about 2 books on it!
Hi BESM, true, there's not much on alto flute out there. Mostly because it's very similar technique to the lower octave on the flute. If you can play low notes on flute well, the alto flute is basically just that! Perhaps not what you wanted to hear, but it is an easy solution I guess! Jane
thank sir. how to make wave sound ?
Vibrato is a technique which you need to be taught.
To start off learning vibrato on the flute, it needs to come from your belly using 'ha-ha' with your airstream. Then eventually you'll thin this out so it will become smoother.
In case you're interested, Jane has a technique workshop on vibrato inside The Flute Academy. You'll have access to this lesson straight away upon joining. The May 2022 technique workshop is called 'How to play with beautiful vibrato' in which you'll learn the 10 steps on how to achieve vibrato on the flute. 😊
Here's the link to The Flute Academy in case you're interested in learning more from Jane. flute.school/academy
@@JaneFluteSchool thank you
Now I have found a confusing situation that I got to fix. My embochure turns to a kiss pose when I want to play a higher note. Is that normal or a problem?
Hi Ririka - a "kiss" pose is too much "pouting". The high note technique is a verrrrry slightly pout. If you're pouting a lot, it probably means the hole in your mouth is too big. Try doing the mini-course here if you haven't already: www.flute.school/free and it will help you clear up your tone and help your high notes!
@@JaneFluteSchool Thank you for your help! Its been days since I haven't practiced on it when I was needed as a bassoonist.
Does having big lips affect anything? Sometimes my lips will get in the way
Hi AN, I don't think so. I don't have big lips myself, but I have noticed there are really good flute players out there who have big lips. Which makes me think it's not an issue! Best of luck with your playing :)
Thank you for your series of excellent, succinct, clear advice. No BS., no irrelevant natter, just straight forward good advice. Impressive.
I gave up playing the flute more than half a century ago when I was told that my thick lips is an inborn impediment. Couldn’t afford lessons then. I have just restarted playing the flute a month ago. Tone quality of the bottom octave is terribly fluffy and quiet whilst the top octave is too loud. Are thick lips is a real obstacle? You have nice thin lips that you can purse into a narrow slit; mine are three times thicker. Are there thick lipped competent flautist around?
Uncle Charlie
People’s Republic of China.
Hi Uncle Charlie - thanks for your very nice comment. I'm so glad the videos are helpful to you! So I was thinking about your question about thick lips and if they are an obstacle to playing the flute and my first thought is "no they're not". But! I have no first hand experience with it, so I don't know for sure. There's really only one way to find out - find someone with thick lips who is great at the flute! I did a bit of googling for you and have you heard of Lizzo? She's a good flute player and I THINK she has big lips. Have a google of her and see what you think. And good luck! I suspect big lips are not a problem. And you only have to find ONE example of a good flute player with big lips to prove that right! Jane :)
Thank you. Good to learn an experienced flute teacher like you have not heard of thick lips being an impediment to flute playing. After some practice with your advice, I am happy to report that my now adjusted embouchure is improving tone quality. Watched Lizzo on RUclips but was only able to learn her “Twerk” but not her embouchure. She is black, but her lips are not as thick as my fat Chinese lips.
Althea Rene is another one to check out
Jane...you forgot about the other 10,001 variables that all need to be perfect. I've seen circus performers juggle a maximum of six objects at the same time. These are highly skilled professionals. Imagine trying to give them 9,995 more items to juggle at the same time.
One step/skill at a time to achieve those really impressive skills like they do in the circus! 😀
@@JaneFluteSchool Segmentation leads to nonfunction.
nervous because.. my auditions to join band is in September so i am stressing and i only started last month 😭
Good luck for your band auditions! You've got this! 😀
@@JaneFluteSchool thank you ❤️😭
another problem would be that the screw thing at the top of the flute is lose, sometimes i have to tighten it and it sound a lot better
Hey starlight, oh yes, that's a really good idea for a video! I'll add it to my list to record. If you sound better when you tighten the screw at the top of your flute, it sounds like the cork has dried out. It shouldn't affect your sound quality (just your tuning), and in fact, the screw shouldn't need to be turned at all. If you can, get your flute checked out by a repairer and they'll be able to fix the cork for you if it needs replacing. Good luck!
Nice wombat.
Glad you like my wombat! 😊
@@JaneFluteSchool thanks for the heart and for uploading videos 😎👍
I always stop playing when I hear/play a wrong note
My woodwind teacher would tell me after a lesson that I won't have trouble playing wrong notes cause I would know right away with both my bassoon and flute
Ririka, that's good that you can hear that you've played a wrong note! (Some people don't notice!) Try and go a little slower in your music to ensure that you have enough "thinking time" so that you can play the right notes - this will help build your fingers and brain into an automatic habit of playing the right notes. Good luck!
Kiwi?! You sound like Aunty Cinda, but now I'm seeing a drop bear behind you
Ahahaha! I'm not Kiwi, but I do love the NZ accent. The drop bear is a wombat - not sure if you can tell in the video. I'm Australian by the way! Jane
well i still suck, but i suck slightly less so
Aww you've got this! Keep at it! One thing at a time! 😀
you are lack of teaching, you always say create a small hole in a mouth to prevent airy or losing air i watch your other video too but everytime you do a scale you doesn't included the low C,in my opinion the low C is more important to learn i try what you though then create a small hole but that low C doesn't sound, i gotten flat sound. . geezzz !
Hi there!
For low notes, you need to relax your embouchure - meaning it can be bigger especially for low C. Make sure you use a gentle airstream for these low notes. For high notes, use a small embouchure (corners of your mouth come forward) and consistent airstream. 😀