5 Things That You Do That Can Ruin Your Flute Tone FluteTips 136

Do you want a good sound? Who doesn’t! However, it is often difficult to figure out how to get that great sound however there are things that you are probably doing right now that inhibit your ability to get a great tone.
In today’s video I will teach you 5 things that you could be doing right now that could be preventing you from achieving that great tone. I will explain to you what the problem is and then teach you how to fix that problem area. In this way your potential for a great sound increases with each fix.
Anyone can get a great sound. All it takes is careful analysis of what you are doing wrong and then learning how to fix that problem.
You too can have a great sound!
Have fun!
DoctorFlute
5 Things That You Do That Can Ruin Your Flute Tone - FluteTips 136
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[@zxKAOS1]

0:28 #1 too much pressure 2:33 #2 too much of a closed cavity 4:48 #3 rolled in too much or covering too much of your embouchure hole 7:26 #4 not changing your embouchure for your octaves 10:42 #5 blowing too much air

[@DoctorFlute]

Right on!

[@IgorTheFluteGuy]

It’s amazing how you can condense so much value in a 15 min class. Thank you so much Dr. McBrearty

[@DoctorFlute]

Your welcome Igor! Let me know what you struggle with.

[@Freedommeadow]

I can't thank you enough. I worked on the tips in your video (and on Udemy) and this year I got a stunning compliment on my little solo in our Community Band performance at the music festival. She complimented my pitch being perfect in both the high and low registers and that if I was worried about not being heard, that I was. 57 yrs old and this has had me floating on cloud 9 all week. Thank you again. 🥰

[@DoctorFlute]

I am so happy for you! What a great compliment for you. You are never too old to receive a compliment. It makes me happy to know that I have can some participation in your success.

[@jnelson508]

Thank you. Your tips will help enormously with my struggle to achieve a better sound. I occasionally produce the free, soaring sound but often I feel my sound is choked, muffled or raspy. I am so guilty of some of the things you have mentioned. I will now be better able to direct my efforts.

[@DoctorFlute]

Hi J! I am so glad I can help you. I know that you can clean up your tone just remember open your throat, open your lips and open your teeth. If you only remember (and do) those things your tone will improve. Keep me posted on your progress.

[@peterfinlay7213]

Great class today !! Thanks😊

[@DoctorFlute]

Fantastic Peter! Keep me posted on how it's going!

[@ronaldschwartz5202]

Great summary! I know Doctor Flute has addressed tone issues many times, but this session targets major problems. Worth watching again and again! Easy to return to bad habits.

[@DoctorFlute]

Thank you do much for the compliment. We all need reminders frequently!

[@nyatan]

Thank you. Fantastic content!!!

[@DoctorFlute]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jorisArt]

Thank you once again for an excellent lesson!

[@DoctorFlute]

My pleasure Joris!

[@jcdazam]

I love your videos Angela, I'm just beginning with the flute and they are helping me a lot

[@DoctorFlute]

You're so welcome! Fantastic and my pleasure!

[@machinegunsally]

I liked and learned from the tip that one just needs to see the start of the hole (lip placing) in the mirror. I've been learning online for a year, and it's really difficult to find the right spot. That tip helped! Thank you.

[@DoctorFlute]

Fantastic Astrid!

[@anitababy55]

Thank you very very helpful to me ❤

[@DoctorFlute]

Great! I hope you are on your way to a fantastic sound.

[@pearseobyrne]

Such a wonderfully clear exposition of the mechanics of tone production, Absolutely stellar. Thank you so much. Pearse

[@DoctorFlute]

Thank you kindly!

[@donbuscher8908]

Fantastic tips. I now realize exactly what I need to do to correct my tone, and my ability to hit low register notes immediately after playing a high note.

[@DoctorFlute]

Thanks!

[@tuulakallinen869]

Kiitos! Thank you!

[@DoctorFlute]

Your welcome!

[@miyulindo411]

This was very helpful. I had no idea of how much I would press into my flute and I've been playing for 10 years!!

[@DoctorFlute]

You will love the relaxed way you feel playing flute when you loosen that finger!

[@KathleenEFinnegan]

perfect!

[@DoctorFlute]

Are you doing one of these things in your tone?

[@user-kv1ot2vg4t]

Thanks for your explanation ! 20:35

[@DoctorFlute]

You are welcome!

[@ibrahimmerel831]

Felicitaciones, buena clase.

[@DoctorFlute]

Thank-you so much Ibrahim.

[@soniacamelia9432]

Thank you

[@DoctorFlute]

Your welcome Sonia!

[@danielg.2437]

I did a trial with FCNY, and the flutes were amazing (too amazing). When I went back to my own flute (riddled with leaks and mech issues), I knew the sound that I was supposed to have so I actually started pressing the HJ into my chin in an attempt to get a better tone. While it worked in the short term, my teeth actually irritated my inner lip enough to create a sore spot. I was so confused about what changed in my embouchure, but it was just an immense amount of pressure on my chin/lower jaw. Thank you for the tips!

[@DoctorFlute]

Wow that sounds like a lot of pressure on the lower lip. I am glad that you have been able to resolve that and hope that you tone is improving daily.

[@dcallan812]

Some very useful tips. I know I am doing at least some of them, so thats something to work on. Thanks Dr. 2x👍

[@DoctorFlute]

Excellent! If you were perfect what fun would that be!

[@dcallan812]

@@DoctorFlute True, and I am very far from perfect. 👍

[@DoctorFlute]

Me too!

[@bilbobaggins5704]

Great vid. suggestions. Thank you!! I think that this issue of forcing the flute to the lips and rolling back is a big issue here in the States when kids are involved with marching bands. We who teach, need to differentiate with students who must anchor the flute for marching and where finesse and expression is the way to go for solo and concert settings.

[@DoctorFlute]

Definitely! While marching band is an American icon, it does nothing for the flute sound.

[@elizabethbrick7172]

Nice Marin Marais

[@DoctorFlute]

Thank you!

[@FluteLoops59]

Thank you for these helpful reminders..I definately press too hard, I think it makes me feel more in physical control of my flute, but Im losing sound, I always wondered if a thumb port would help me feel more in control of holding my flute... Anyway, Ive got to relax and not press it so hard... I need to open up jaw, teeth and throat...again relax reminder.. I overblow all the time, not utilising breath support..hitting the note above the note Im playing cause Im blowing too hard..Ive got to learn control...Ive been playing about two years..Im 63......thanks again!

[@DoctorFlute]

That sounds like a lot to remember. Try fixing just one thing at a time. Begin by trying to relax everywhere. If you are not feeling like your flute is comfortable in your hands then maybe a thumb port would be helpful. Take a watch of my videos on left and right hand and see if you are actually holding the flute properly. Don't give up, it'll come along.

[@FluteLoops59]

@@DoctorFlute thank you for your response :)

[@corinnecothern8086]

Thanks so much! I've played the flute for many years, but the reminders you offered here are excellent for anyone! I wonder if you have any points in particular for playing clearly with a mask, beyond these offered here ... I've recently gone back to group orchestra rehearsals where masks are required and, even though my mask is well designed for flute~playing, the sound is definitely not the same. Thank you again, for your clear, friendly, direct approach!

[@DoctorFlute]

You are very welcome! I'm glad you are helped by my videos. The mask!! I don't think there is a clear answer for that question. The main thing for a clear sound is to have some space between the mask and your tone hole. If the mask rests on the tone hole there isn't much you can do. But, if you could put type of spacer in your mask that moves it out from you head joint a little it will go a long way to giving you a much better sound.

[@corinnecothern8086]

@@DoctorFlute Makes sense! I will look for something like... and thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate your time and clear love of flute playing/devotion to teaching.

[@jungjickkim]

Thank you for your lesson. I drilled the flute for one year and your lessons were very useful for me. But I am old and baby in english, so there are some difficulty. It would be better if there was a summary at the end of the lecture. Thank you so much always.. From South Korea, Andy Kim.

[@DoctorFlute]

Hi Andy, I am glad my videos can help you even with a language barrier. When you say summary are you thinking of a written summary or a verbal summary at the end of the video?

[@jungjickkim]

@@DoctorFlute A Verbal summary at the end of the video. Thank you so much..

[@DoctorFlute]

I will try to keep that in mind the next video I do!

[@kryzak123]

Great tips! The problem with the one where the flute is "smashing" the lower lip in, I'm ok with that until any passage gets to a C or C#, when the left thumb leaves the flute, the entire flute gets smashed into the lip or rolls, no matter what I do, especially if the passage goes between C, D, and E a lot. I've tried to roll my flute in all sorts of positions to have the left hand index finger base support it, but it still rolls around or slips sometimes off my left hand when I have to pass through C/C#. Any tips on that? Thanks!

[@DoctorFlute]

Hi Bernie! I totally understand that issue. I do think there is more pressure when you are playing a C or C# with no thumb to help support the flute. But you want to minimize that pressure as much as you can. It can be done. With the slippage issue I think that some people have more of a problem with that then others. There is a 1st finger port that slides nicely onto the flute to help with that. Also some people put a piece of masking tape where the first finger goes or actually on the lip plate to help with that issue. It's a good question without easy answers and very individual.

[@kryzak123]

@@DoctorFlute first finger port? Interesting. I'll search for it and see if it helps. Myh flute slips a lot when I play C and C#.

[@DoctorFlute]

Interesting to find out if it does help you.

[@galvao4913]

Olá boa noite tudo bem. Já nos falamos a alguns meses,primeiramente parabéns pelo seu trabalho no KZbin. Eu preciso muito de sua ajuda. Gostaria de mandar um vídeo meu tocando para dar uma avaliada na minha embocadura. Comprei até um pneumopro flute para me ajudar mas até agora estou com dificuldade. Me ajuda por favor. Aguardo seu retorno abraço.

[@DoctorFlute]

Eu ficaria feliz em ouvir um vídeo. Vá ao meu webiste e envie-me um e-mail através do meu site. Você pode ir para a guia de contato e ela o levará para o meu e-mail.

[@galvao4913]

@@DoctorFlute Bom dia Ângela tudo bem,me desculpe a insistência é porque preciso falar com você e preciso de sua ajuda,não consegui achar seu e-mail. Tem algum outro meio de contato para nós conversarmos por favor. Eu tenho Skype WhatsApp Google mett Aguardo novamente seu retorno. Se vc poder me manda por aqui seu e-mail ou número de telefone. Abraço e lembra que tem um Brasileiro que está precisando de uma ajuda sua na flauta transversal.

[@DoctorFlute]

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