Playing High Notes QUIETLY and SOFT on Flute

Playing high and quiet or pianissimo is quite a challenge! Today I give you a few tips on playing high notes on the flute that will help dynamics. Want to learn the flute? Try my 15 Lessons for Flute over at musogy.com
Find the exercise here: imslp.org/wiki/Special:Revers...
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[@flutechannel]

So fun making this episode! Be sure to let me know how your flute playing is going down below!

[@dragonflame6634]

i just got a new flute and my first piccolo and am really excited, glad you had fun making this video!

[@jenny9139]

It is going okay. I have been playing for a while, so I can play notes and rhythms fairly well. Now I am working towards better tone, dynamics, and vibrato. So far I have been struggling. Progress is slow but I plan to keep trying!

[@osophine8672]

I've already had so many intermediate flutes because I'm so careless and I get my thumb stuck in it, I drop it, or I start swinging it around when I'm bored and it hits things constantly. I'm looking into getting a more advanced flute so I can play with a better tone, but I have to be more responsible when handling it this time and I need to resist the urges to hit it on my stand or on the ground and wave it around like it's wand. No wonder why all my flutes have hated me, all I do is brutally abuse them.

[@juliabeefluteplayerandartw1084]

this is great .

[@juliabeefluteplayerandartw1084]

you did a good job.

[@ifyouknowmenoyoudont5137]

"When you sing a high note, LALALALALA" I'm WhEeZing. 😅

[@yuryfleming6321]

When she made that noise I almost died of laughter

[@kanchho2010]

1:18

[@Allbbrz]

LOL, that got me too... I can go baritone but not quite top of contralto... nope, never higher....

[@zackyhughes2920]

when you first said piano i was so confused like 'how are you gonna play the piano and the flute do you have more than two hands???'

[@flutechannel]

Ahh no :) it just means to play quietly.

[@aadyahebbar8318]

Lol

[@kelslynn944]

Lol

[@chinaguoxiaoyuan]

It is just another way to say p (play quietly)

[@dantwaddell6746]

The full name for the piano is the pianoforte, an instrument which could play both ‘soft’ and ‘loud’, compared with a clavichord, for instance, which was only suitable for chamber music. So really piano means soft!

[@pmh1nic]

Thank you Emily. Since I don't take formal lessons it is always help to hear you play an exercise so I know how it really should be played. I tend to rush things rather than go slow, be self aware and really focus on having good tone.

[@andrewpelayo778]

I’ve been looking for something like this my whole flute “career”!!!! thank you very much for making this :)

[@flutechannel]

My pleasurre! Truly! Glad I could help. Happy practicing!

[@kelslynn944]

@@flutechannel #THEFLUTECHANNEL Ilike ur vids, although in Clarinet, but I have alot of flutes in my Band class, and the way they sound just got me addicted to flute!!!💖💖💖🌈🌈🌈❣❣❣

[@flutechannel]

@@kelslynn944 Such a pleasure to meet you kels, tell your flute friends I said hi!

[@kelslynn944]

@@flutechannel I dont have many friends that have flute except 1 and she is in beginning Band. Her name is Barbra. I also have another friend.. berry name is Abigail... but most of her friends, including me like to call her Abbi, and she has the Trombone.

[@humbertosandoval8899]

“I need to know high note”… Me too 😜😵‍💫👌‼️‼️

[@alanhaynes418]

I spent a couple of years working on playing quietly in the 3rd octave with a good tone before I could do it consistently. Recently I was able to buy a £4000 flute - and suddenly it was so easy to do it that it really surprised me. I had a Yamaha student flute before, and although it was a reasonable instrument, clearly a good flute makes it so much easier to do!

[@exceptionaltalentspc4954]

Wao. I suspected that was going to be the case, that it would be much easier to play with a professional flute. Thanks for bringing that up.

[@Allbbrz]

Ah yes, a good, a real good instrument makes a huge difference... the trick that when you are student, you cannot afford to spend such "vast amount of money" on an instrument so you have to really work hard with what you have... mine ? It's a student flute that was given to me by a friend who gave up learning... so you know what I mean ;-)

[@lynneczinski3032]

I’m back to comment a few hours later. I was watching your video while in my recliner, but just sat down with my flute, and your video makes all the sense in the world. I felt it based on your direction and it came naturally. I just lost this technique over the years since I was only playing for myself basically. But I get the whole egg in the back of the throat and feeling it around your whole middle and your head. I can feel it in my head when I play softer. You described it perfectly. Thank you, thank you, thank you.❤

[@Michiru004]

Love your Videos! They help a lot.

[@nhtybeats5542]

This is very informative. Much appreciated!

[@ewtam24]

Thank you again for the great tips!

[@lavenderrosehealingmassage7232]

I love your videos. I have been playing flute for six months and am working on getting a good sound in the third octave. I am a pianist and always wanted to play flute. My band director in high school would not let me play the flute. I was put on trumpet. In 8th grade, I switched to French horn. I played that instrument in college but never really had my heart in it. I am 51 and self-teaching myself to play the flute. I love it! I wish I could have learned at a young age but I guess it is never too late to learn something new. Thanks for the tips and your wonderful videos.

[@flutechannel]

My pleasure! Happy practicing!

[@carolynwang8338]

Thank you the head voice thing helped me a lot!

[@juwanbepo87]

This exercise has single-handedly helped me figure out the airflow to get my high notes out and sounding clearer. THANK YOU!

[@flutechannel]

Glad it helped!

[@michellebee4545]

You don’t know how grateful my parents are going to be bc of this video. Thank you

[@flutechannel]

Happy to help!

[@beaunation]

Thank you! Been waiting for this for a while!

[@flutechannel]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching Joe! Happy practicing!

[@imawarawara]

This is the video I needed. Thank you so much!!!!!

[@flutechannel]

Pleasure Darien! Happy practicing!

[@olma2442]

Wow! Thank you so much! Love your videos, it's very helpful!

[@flutechannel]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@vivianli2827]

Thank you so much, Amile! This video was very helpful! :)

[@flutechannel]

Im so glad I could help! thanks for watching and happy practicing!

[@marikoyu244]

Hi Amelie! I love your videos:) You always motivated me to practice. Thank you!

[@flutechannel]

Hi Mariko! Happy to help in my little way. Happy practicing.

[@astromars3717]

Im only watching this cause i forgot to do my band homework at 3 in the morning as my parents sleep but ty for teaching me lol

[@flutechannel]

Happy to help. Good luck!

[@jenniferblackman7814]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@flutechannel]

Thanks Jennifer! Happy I could help. Thanks for watching 😊

[@Louise-qk2po]

Blackbirds have removed the outside cover to my kitchen fan and keep crawling up the tunnel towards the blades ( there is space for 1 bird) and all this drama happens when I try to play flute, I admit I only started playing or trying to learn flute last week. So, other than attracting wildlife into my flat, I am trying to conquer the middle octave which seems to fly off like those crazy birds. The flute is a wonderful instrument, I got some good sounds on the lowest octave, I will persevere!! Thanks for posting Amelie, your videos are a great inspiration.

[@wendyfarmer8749]

Thank you so much for your videos! You helped me choose my first real flute, and have helped me improve as a flute player!! I'm trying to teach myself without private lessons, and your videos have been so helpful!

[@flutechannel]

Wonderful!

[@peterbeek9891]

Great Tips again!

[@flutechannel]

Thanks so much Peter! Thanks for watching!

[@lynneczinski3032]

Thank you for the manner in which you instruct. It always resonates with me.

[@flutechannel]

You are so welcome

[@joseguzman9605]

Thank you for helping me by giving me those nice tips

[@flutechannel]

My pleasure 😊

[@joyphil4399]

This channel is so helpful!

[@flutechannel]

Happy to hear that!

[@YuriHoshi-lr2bz]

This was so helpful! You have such a beautiful style.

[@flutechannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robstevens9590]

Merci! Very helpful.

[@flutechannel]

Glad I could help!

[@arelivazquez4081]

I love your videos!

[@flutechannel]

aww thanks Areli!

[@Toipno]

Thank you!

[@flutechannel]

my pleasure Mauro!

[@dogsterooni]

amazing this really helped me a lot ty

[@flutechannel]

Glad it helped!

[@58bobby]

I heard you on the Tom Scott podcast and, as an ex-quebecer I picked out the accent right away. Vas-y fort 🙂 You were very smart and sweet on the podcast so had to check you out. My daughter plays flute so I'll show this to her. Bon, vas manger une bonne poutine.

[@flutechannel]

Merci Bobby!

[@gari2906]

Exactly what i was looking for...although for indian flute. Thankyou so much for sharing.

[@flutechannel]

My pleasure 😊

[@KrystofDreamJourney]

Extremely helpful video ! Thanks :) As a pianist / orchestral composer, I recently wrote a section of the piece where high piccolo and two flutes double harmonics violins in dynamics piano :-)

[@flutechannel]

Sounds great!

[@user-fq6um6tg1u]

Merci!

[@mitchg.5125]

I appreciate the analogies to a belt around the midriff and an egg in the back on the mouth. For me playing high notes quietly mainly requires embouchure muscle control that only continued practice avails. I see myself as sitting on the edge of a dangerous sea wall, leaning forward and letting the resistence of the wind rising from the surf (i.e., the inner wall of the mouth-hole) blow back at me to keep me from falling. It's almost a faith thing...

[@Kndnsssrlgn]

Thank you. Playing high notes quietly has become the next step for me...very challenging. So I will think about what you're saying here. Btw I ordered Reichert online recently, and it wasn't expensive. Nice to have the book, and yes, #2 is great!

[@flutechannel]

Wonderful!

[@chas5131]

Another superb video from The Flute Channel. I am a beginner. Thank you. I will have to drive two hours to lessons when I can find an instructor. These videos are a treasure.

[@flutechannel]

Happy to help! I hear that all the time! Wish there was someone close by to you. All the best and happy practicing!

[@chas5131]

@@flutechannel Thank you

[@aimeethereseperhach1055]

I have trouble even hitting notes above the high G, occasionally the A, seldom above that!

[@flutechannel]

Try the lower octave first and gradually over time you'll make it up there. Also direct more fast air into the flute. Happy practicing!

[@lenaflute571]

Could you make a video about how you end the notes? I think you have mentioned it on one of your videos but just a mini masterclass would be amazing!

[@flutechannel]

Yup one coming out TODAY actually! Stay tuned! Happy practicing Lena!

[@nikolangelova7292]

Thanks...ypu help me

[@lettucemilk3596]

I'm a few years late but I have an audition in 13 days and I am trying to get better control over my dynamics! Wish me luck, I'll give updates!

[@kvngcasim7712]

For anyone that was trained as a singer in high school and doing competitions knows everything that she is talking about all of these are singing techniques. The first time I ever picked up a flute I used the U vowel to control my breathing path and the channel to keep it small and easily changeable based off the roof of my mouth. Ready to get my own flute so I can retract myself some of the fingerings I knew and retrain myself in music.

[@alexanderbanfi3743]

I am super airy i need help with that

[@MrsDallimore08]

Hello Amelie, thankyou for this video. I was doing just this the other nice ( not the music) just quiet high register just because my daughter was in bed, however I found it was great for breath control and muscular support. Currently fighting an embrochure crisis as I’m working on going from mid to high register. I hope the crisis passes soon, as my low low register is failing as a result. I shall keep using this method, thankyou. Can I make a request please, many of your followers do not yet understand the music theory jargon, and those who are teaching themselves may not know what it means. For example, what is legato? Please explain each technical term when you use it so we may get used to them, thank you once again, you are wonderful

[@milkxtee]

have you ever heard of the musical piece called the tempest? the melody of the flute in the beginning has a continuous 18+ measures of high notes so this is a great video to control the volume and sound more musically.

[@flutechannel]

No never heard of it, sorry about it.

[@milkxtee]

The Flute Channel No worries! It’s not a popular piece but it does sound cool!

[@flutechannel]

@@milkxtee I'll check it out.

[@Allbbrz]

Than you, but oh that "precise spot" is so precise ... :-) I'm still working on that ;-)

[@exceptionaltalentspc4954]

I chose the flute not knowing it was going to be so hard. I know all musical instruments can be challenging but I feel like the flute it's on a whole different level of difficulty. I'm just realizing there's not a "fits all" approach to playing the flute. It's like being on your own in the vast ocean having to figure out your own navigation path. Having said that, I find the sound of the flute to be the most beautiful of them all and that is keeping me inspired and driven.

[@volarphizzie5229]

dislikes are from people who confused this instrument with there own 😂😂😂

[@haykhayk7709]

''Lalala'' 🤣🤣 Thank you very much!

[@flutechannel]

My pleasure!

[@creepypencil]

I often have problem with first note of pieces I'm practicing. For example, Miles Davis' Blue in Green (originally starts with mid E, but the lowest note of the piece is too low, so I start with mid G instead, which turned out I like the sound better 😆). The first note is long and has vibrato. That G either ended up too sharp or too airy. But playing G anywhere in the middle of the piece is just fine 😐😐

[@beatrizvela]

Hi! sounds good! could you tell me please what kind of recorder are you using?

[@katehoran1520]

I can't tell if this is a joke or not

[@lilybisaillon8505]

Kate Horan lol i think they mean camera not the instrument

[@stephaniekerkhofs7681]

Can you also use this exercise to play high notes staccato? Because mine always sound very loud and sharp and not with much control in it

[@flutechannel]

Yes,why not. Remix an exercise for your own benefit.

[@op-fm9ri]

what’s the best type of flute

[@VeronicahSammy-jj3gm]

I need to know high note

[@plum4322]

is it possible that your flute might just be naturally loud because i feel like i’ve tried everything and nothing’s working (sorry if i sound dumb)

[@dantwaddell6746]

Yes, it’s possible that a flute or head joint is less resistant (more free blowing), especially beginner flutes, as it’s easier to make a sound, but harder to control. But, even on these instruments you should be able to control the volume with your embouchure, albeit with more difficulty. Professional instruments usually have more resistance (the shape of the head joint cut), which allows for more control but requires a more precise embouchure

[@NJR98]

I have watched you videos on producing a better high register. But I find myself still clinching my face to get the high notes out. I can't get any sound even if my aperture is open in the high register.

[@palavoyz]

Was it possible to do high note without blowing hard or fast?

[@Wheel333]

I find I blow a little more down to play quietly is this ok ? It gets a little more breathy sounding but seems to work for me.

[@faithrouxx6386]

Wheel333 I do that too

[@carolynwang8338]

In the past, I've also been blowing down, and although it sounded somewhat quiet it also sounded horribly airy. But for some reason when I tried thinking of it as playing in my head voice, it suddenly sounded clearer and soft, which is weird. Maybe you should try it :D (It's explained in the beginning of the video.)

[@acidforblood]

I know you can probably find Reichert Op.5 freely online, but I bought the WhirlWindPress version on this book and the passage your playing is at higher octaves in my version. Can your version be bought online and which one closely matches the one your using? Please let me know when you get the chance as I'm very interested to find out. Also is Carol Wincenc's version worth a look?

[@flutechannel]

Of course, ill check tonight. Be sure to check back at this thread tomorrow!

[@nooraeiu1]

What are all the notes in letters im having a hard time learning sheet music

[@jaspercrystalwizard8594]

LA LA LA haha 🙏🏽

[@elizabethzhang6440]

Time stamp 2:36

[@billihilton4560]

Ur dress is very nice!

[@flutechannel]

Thanks!

[@tonycarboni2002]

How would it be possible to do that entire piece in time? You had to pause twice for breath?

[@aussienic76]

When I decrescendo and completely taper off a high note (Bb) from say forte to piano I always go really breathy.....can this be stopped? I heard breath in your piano high notes so maybe I’m being too much a perfectionist!

[@flutechannel]

Its all about physics in fact. You can obviously limit your "breathy" sound over time but I wouldn't worry. All that airy tone can't go far in a hall or theater. In a small practice room you can hear all the imperfections and when your teach is in the room its even more obvious. Just keep the energy high and listen to the core sound and less the air. In a performance situation it will matter way less. But it really seems like your awareness is there while playing, that is great! Take some of that time that you use thinking about those thing and put them into things like musicality, etc. Airiness is a just a piece of the what flute playing is. I hope that makes sense, were planning on making a video about this and talk to physicists about this and see what is really happening.

[@aussienic76]

The Flute Channel thanks that’s a great relief! I’m loving putting more musicality into my playing and messing around with rubato too......I just LOVE the flute. I play piano too but the flute always comes first! Lol

[@SufyMusic]

do having big lips help flute players?

[@flutechannel]

Personally I haven't seen a correlation between types of lips and ability of players. Any lips can play the flute.

[@samuelvictorX]

click 1:18 and enjoy :)

[@psytchemetfm2599]

Are u french ?? cause u have a french accent 😍

[@flutechannel]

I am!

[@psytchemetfm2599]

@@flutechannel (j'ai deviner lol) Anyway thanks for ur hard work ! Love ur channel Ps : I'm a flutist too ❤

[@flutechannel]

@@psytchemetfm2599 Thanks! Merci!

[@droo1368]

What is the song used in the intro?

[@flutechannel]

merge left for two flutes and piano. We've recorded this version.

[@tiffanyzhu2355]

Huh? Are you going to play piano instead?