I have been practicing longer than usual this past week. I could play fine this morning, but I picked up my flute again this afternoon and my sound quality was horrible, is this just because I`m tired?
I`m pretty sure that`s what it is, but I need some reassurance...
will I be ready to play after a day and a half of rest?

maybe your lips are just tired and need to rest

I really hope so, as I`ve got auditions this weekend and a challenge today

Sarah,

This good be one of two things.
1. You could just be tired from extra long practice sessions and need to rest up a bit.

2. The more you practice the more you actually start to hear your sound for what it really sounds like. For example, have you ever noticed that when you talk on a tape recorder or an answering machine, you sound different to yourself? This is the same kind of thing. After a certain amount of time practicing tone exercises you actually start to hear what your tone REALLY sounds like instead of what you THINK it sounds like.

Don`t be discouraged. Either way by resting up you will relax a bit, and if you are actually hearing something you should work on in your tone, you have found a goal for the new year! Stay calm at those auditions! I`ll bet you will play just fine!

I went some days in a row of practicing...it was hard...but I got used to it.

I played at least 5 or so hours at a band camp PER DAY. It wasn`t that bad.

go for quality, not quantity

Exactly Patrick. I agree (somewhat)