Tamil flute beginners
It’s natural that the flute gets sharper in its high range because you are playing up higher on the harmonic series. This is because the more you blow down, the more the embouchure hole is covered, and thus the closer the note gets to being in tune. Blowing down increases the richness of tone, and flattens the pitch. In fact, it is more crucial that students blow down in the top register than it is in any other range. While directing the airstream up is a fast fix to initially achieve high notes, it usually results in a sharp intonation and inconsistency later down the road. Corners should be activated as well, but the base embouchure for this range is relatively relaxed. When students are working in the mid-range, encourage them to blow down somewhat. It’s a well-known fact that the flute gets progressively harder for beginners as they learn notes in the mid to high register. Moving on Up: Working on the Higher Notes Encourage students to blow down, but be sure to go around and check to make sure they aren’t covering too much with their top lip. If the flute, by nature, causes you to lose two-thirds of your air over the top, then we better try and get as much into the instrument as possible.
TAMIL FLUTE BEGINNERS HOW TO
Here are a few more specific tips on how to teach the initial tone so that the student focuses their air:Įncourage them to Blow Down Many flute teachers would tell you to blow across, but, this doesn’t quite make sense. Lack of air pressure and air focus are two things that will absolutely foil your plan for a rich and consistent tone. When trying to make the initial sound on the flute, students often need to give the instrument more air pressure. It takes away some of the cumbersome, unstable feeling of initially holding the flute, and allows students to focus more on tone. Speaking of, I always like to suggest curved head joints for beginners, when possible. Everyone else gets to hold their instrument or mallets straight in front of them! Add small hands and shorter arms into the mix, and you have a recipe for frustration. I’d also argue that the flute is one of the most difficult instruments for beginning band students to hold. When you play the flute and there is no resistance, for students who have, say, switched over from trumpet, there are going to be some huge adjustments. In a way, resistance can feel like ‘feedback’ from the instrument itself. The flute is a rarity in a sense because it has little to no back pressure or resistance. Oftentimes, an offset embouchure is the answer. Experimentation is the key to finding the sweet spot. Anyone can play the flute, but it is definitely harder for some to start than others. The remaining one-third of the air that makes it inside the instrument is what we are left to play with.Īnother factor is that the flute is much more difficult to make a sound on if you have any asymmetry in your lips or even a cupid’s bow. This is because flutes lose two-thirds of their air that they work with because it goes over (instead of inside) the embouchure hole. So, What Makes It So Difficult?įor starters, flutes require about as much air as tubas. (Might I also add how this flute stock photo has a lovely aesthetic, but that it is never a good idea to encourage flutists to put their instruments on a music stand?! I thought I’d give you a good music-educator laugh there…) But before I delve into tips and tricks on how to help your students get a consistent sound, let’s take a minute to talk about why it is that the flute is such a difficult instrument for beginners. One of the most notoriously difficult instruments for both beginners and band directors alike. Here’s a big shoutout to Robert for the feature.Īh, the flute. I am so thankful to be featured here on MR A Music Place. I am a classical flutist with a degree in instrumental music education.