There was a forum going for awhile about how some days tone appears better or worse. I thought it might be helpful to flutists out there to give ideas to one another about how we all work on our tone.

Here`s mine:

#1 - Moyse De La Sonorite! The Bible of Tone Production! Long tones are the foundation for improving tone. My approach is somewhat different that others, but has really helped: Playing the 2 notes (Chromatically first - B-A#) as long as the breath lasts, start mf going to fff if you can, and decrescendo to nothing, "musical air and fingers" (meaning NO percussion accompaniment to your playing). Doing the huge dynamic change really works your lips. I repeat the exercise over and over, everything must be perfect, until I move on to A#-A, etc. Everything you need to know about making music is present in the long tone exercise: clear articulation of first note, smooth air and fingers, energy towards the 2nd note, control of pitch/dynamics. Trevor Wye`s book on tone is also fabulous (also explaining harmonics), as is Robert Dick`s book that uses Extended Techniques to improve tone. To see improvement, long tones must be practiced at least 15 minutes a day.

#2 - Harmonics and lots of them! Hearing the "bass" in the sound opens up your ears (and your throat) to better tone colors in your sound. Instead of being like a "laser" (quotes a la Dr. Evil , it turns your tone into a more beautiful, rich, open sound.

#3 - You must relax ALL your muscles to get a good, open sound. Try playing Eb3 into a tuner, as loud as you can, then just RELAX! Watch what happens to the pitch! The higher we play, the tighter we seem to get. The simple act of relaxing all your muscles in your body changes everything.

#4 - "Humming" while playing. If I have a musical line that just doesn`t sound good, I hum (any pitch, or if I can, one in the key of the music) and play at the same time. It seems to help open my throat, and the next, without humming, seems much improved!

And finally, I try to use "warm" air - the warmer your air, the warmer the sound. I play on a gold flute, and it requires the air to "spin" a little more and takes longer to "warm up" the flute. Ever notice how after playing for a few hours, suddenly you realize how much better your tone is!

So I guess the key is to keep the flute up to your lips as often as possible, so your lips muscles develop muscle memory. Then, it`s much easier to get the the "magic" embouchure that produces the best sound!

I agree on ............
everything.

...and the point of this is?? (i totally agree with everything you`re saying, but you honestly think that people will take this thread seriously)

i`ll also have to add that brushing your teeth before practicing does some nice things to tones (reason behind this i have no idea...it does for me though)

and a keith underwood thing known as buzzing...

Well, I was hoping that some of the less advanced members here can take some ideas to try, and hence, make some improvement to their tone. It seemed that a lot of people were saying how there was a lack of quality in the forums, so I attempted to do something that would be of benefit. Obviously, by your suggestion that this has no "point", implies that the members of this forum couldn`t care less. This is a sad thought.

i know what you`re trying to do and it`s definitely a worthy cause. but you`re preaching to the wrong crowd dear

i think that palying long notes is sooooo boring. ok it improves your tone but brushing your teeth is so much quicker

Fran - to be honest I haven`t tried the whole "brushing your teeth" thing, but the ONLY way to really improve tone, for the long term, is doing those awful long tones. If they are practiced wisely, they can become a thing of beauty (but I only had this epiphany AFTER about 3 months of doing them for 30 minutes a day - because my teacher demanded the time being spent). Any flutist worth their salt will tell you the same. Bummer, I know, but that`s just how it is...

wow 30 mins a day. i know you mean well and i respect that

I find brushing my teeth as well helps me play better. I don`t know if it`s psychological or what. I have lots of saliva all the time so if I have left over food or if I have after taste of even gum i think i keep thinking i have all this build up. I also find after taking a bath I play phenominal! Don`t know why. Maybe i`m more relaxed but it seems i think the heat on my chin helps me stableize the flute better (like i said i think it`s more mental) and my lips seem more flexable. I`m crazy yes but whatever works for you!

he`s not joking..long tones and trevor wye`s books are the saviour if u want to get a lustrously beautiful tone....they might seem like the silliest thing to you..but long tones are the single most difference making thing to your tone...

try if for at least 3 months..and i guarentee you, u`ll see a difference