The sideways embouchure you mentioned does take a while to do, but once you get it, it's quite clear and jumps octaves beautifully. I'm in love with rim-blown flutes from all cultures. Thanks so much for sharing these videos.
These are the only kinds of flutes I have ever played and made. I read about them in a book about California Natives then made one. It took me about two months, off and on, with great frustration, to finally get a sound but after I got one it was like I had always known how to do it. Very strange experience. It just happened one day. I make them out of Arrundo reed. The only problem I have is the placement and size of the holes although I did have one that sounded pretty good.
@Rhythmikxo It's a combination of 3 things: increased air pressure, a bit more of a stretch of the lips, and closing the rim opening a bit more (raise the flute, or more accurately, move the bottom of the flute away from your body slightly). How much is a matter of experience, body shape, and the flute you have. If you have Skype, I do private lessons if you're interested.
The angle on that one is 45 degrees. But the angle is not critical. I chose 45 degrees in order to be able to keep the flute closer to my body. On shorter flutes like this one, a shakuhachi-like embouchure would be typically about 30 degrees, the flute being held much higher, away from the body.
Thanks Frank this is very helpful. In experimenting the both angles I've come to realize that there is an interplay between the two and changing one affects the other.
Getting into the higher register is a combination of 3 things: You need to increase air pressure, stretch the lips a bit more (you can see that in the video around the 4:44 mark) , and make the opening between your lips and the sound edge of the flute slightly smaller (move the bottom of the flute away from your body slightly). How much is a matter of experience, body shape, and the flute you have.
Raven Wing Flutes Indeed. I can only imagine. I've been playing flutes like shakuhachi and chinese xiao for a month now since I've started making such flutes. I guess I'll eventually make something like kaval and I can only hope I learn to play it some day.
Hi there, who is the maker? Not all flutes are created equal. It is possible you got a bad one. Before you give up or spend more money, if you can send me some photos of the embouchure, I may be able to tell you if something's wrong with the flute. If there is something wrong, it may be fixable. My email address is ravenwingflutes@gmail.com
Years ago, i got a shakuhachi at the thrift store. Never did get it to play, but then I wasn't very patient. Now I have a couple of different anasazi style flutes. I've been working for several weeks and I can still barely get notes out of them, but it improves every day. Compared to these rim-blown instruments, a standard Native American flute is dead easy to play, and even a transverse flute doesn't take as much skill or practice. But the extra effort is rewarded with a wonderful experience. On the other hand, you could have been sold a piece of tourist crap too. :-)
@@michaelpthompson i found out the problem ahahah. I think that flute was more like a souvenir, than an actual instrument. I purchased it at a quite cheap price, too economic for a professional flute.
The sideways embouchure you mentioned does take a while to do, but once you get it, it's quite clear and jumps octaves beautifully. I'm in love with rim-blown flutes from all cultures. Thanks so much for sharing these videos.
These are the only kinds of flutes I have ever played and made. I read about them in a book about California Natives then made one. It took me about two months, off and on, with great frustration, to finally get a sound but after I got one it was like I had always known how to do it. Very strange experience. It just happened one day. I make them out of Arrundo reed. The only problem I have is the placement and size of the holes although I did have one that sounded pretty good.
Thank you. I'm playing the NA flute now, but I been worried about trying the rim blown flute. Looks like it just takes time & practice.
peace,
Tim
EXCELLENT tutorial!
My pleasure. Let me know if you have any questions not addressed in the videos.
Thankyou for this teaching it is a great help! :)
Thank you so much for doing this video!
WOW...Your skill moving through the Octaves is fabulous--really amazing. I am unable to get any octave jump. I'm so frustrated.
Bruce! I can hear you! Unbelievable.
@Rhythmikxo It's a combination of 3 things: increased air pressure, a bit more of a stretch of the lips, and closing the rim opening a bit more (raise the flute, or more accurately, move the bottom of the flute away from your body slightly). How much is a matter of experience, body shape, and the flute you have. If you have Skype, I do private lessons if you're interested.
What angles are you using for the front and back portions of the embrasure?
The angle on that one is 45 degrees. But the angle is not critical. I chose 45 degrees in order to be able to keep the flute closer to my body. On shorter flutes like this one, a shakuhachi-like embouchure would be typically about 30 degrees, the flute being held much higher, away from the body.
Thanks Frank. As an amateur flute maker, I appreciate your input
Thanks Frank this is very helpful. In experimenting the both angles I've come to realize that there is an interplay between the two and changing one affects the other.
Any tips for getting into the higher register? Thanks.
Getting into the higher register is a combination of 3 things: You need to increase air pressure, stretch the lips a bit more (you can see that in the video around the 4:44 mark) , and make the opening between your lips and the sound edge of the flute slightly smaller (move the bottom of the flute away from your body slightly). How much is a matter of experience, body shape, and the flute you have.
Thanks so much for the speedy response!
It's very much like kaval-flute when it's blown in 45 degree angle to the side.
Yes, you're right. Most people find that technique quite difficult.
Raven Wing Flutes
Indeed. I can only imagine. I've been playing flutes like shakuhachi and chinese xiao for a month now since I've started making such flutes. I guess I'll eventually make something like kaval and I can only hope I learn to play it some day.
i can't do it. Sometimes works, other don't. I'm starting to thinkn that the native american who sold me that flute, just tricked me
Hi there, who is the maker? Not all flutes are created equal. It is possible you got a bad one. Before you give up or spend more money, if you can send me some photos of the embouchure, I may be able to tell you if something's wrong with the flute. If there is something wrong, it may be fixable. My email address is ravenwingflutes@gmail.com
Years ago, i got a shakuhachi at the thrift store. Never did get it to play, but then I wasn't very patient. Now I have a couple of different anasazi style flutes. I've been working for several weeks and I can still barely get notes out of them, but it improves every day. Compared to these rim-blown instruments, a standard Native American flute is dead easy to play, and even a transverse flute doesn't take as much skill or practice. But the extra effort is rewarded with a wonderful experience.
On the other hand, you could have been sold a piece of tourist crap too. :-)
@@michaelpthompson i found out the problem ahahah. I think that flute was more like a souvenir, than an actual instrument.
I purchased it at a quite cheap price, too economic for a professional flute.