Hi there,
I am a clarinet and sax player, and I have just bought a flute, which I am trying to teach myself to play.

I can get a lovely clear sound on the lower register, but when I move up over the 'break', it goes all breathy and unclear.

Is there anything I can do to get a clearer sound on these higher notes? Or is it just a case of more practice required?

Cheers,
Katipo

first of all, get a competent teacher, I have tried several times to teach self-taught flutists and it is tough, it is very easy to develop bad habits, especially if you are a doubler

Thanks Patrick. While that is good advice, I can't afford a teacher at the moment. I'm also travelling around the world, which is why I choose the flute (my tenor sax is a bit of a hinderance).
As for bad habits, I am a walking bad habit when it comes to music, but that doesn't stop me enjoying it.
Is there any practical advice you can give me about improving my sound?
Cheers
Katipo

If you are self-learning, you might want to check out Jennifer Cluff's website:

http://www.jennifercluff.com/articles.htm

You can search on a topic, or just browse the sections for novices and adult beginners. She has a lot of specific information on evaluating tone/embouchure/airiness/etc.

And, yes, she'll also tell you to get a few lessons. But, I'm with you--I can't right now, either. FWIW, though, you might find a flute instructor willing to give you ONE lesson, just to make sure you are off to a good start. That would most likely cost less than $50 (depending on length of the lesson) and might save you some headaches in the future.

--Judy

Katipo,
you can blow into a flute and get a sound, but you want a tone, a color. So I agree that you should at least get a couple of lessons, or even just spend 15 min. with a flute player friend who is competent.

When you reach the higher notes try changing the position of your lips slightly, like for instance try pulling them in to open the hole more or try closing the hole a bit more. That's what i did and after much practise got a clear note. It does take time.

i'm teaching my cousin how to play flute..she's played for about 2 years. but she's still struggling with tone. First time teaching lessons. what should i look for?
any GOOD flute teaching advices? there's this duet book we do, hoping she'll listen to tone. match it with mine..
i kno i'm not perfect tho, but i'm trying!
^_^

does anyone have any methods or advices for teaching lessons?


<Added>

for a beginner..

Well, start with the basics...Good hand position, basic embouchure formation, articulation, fingerings and the like. Don't worry too much about tone or interpretation or anything too musically involved. The time will come when she'll be able to handle all of that, but for now, she just needs to be getting a decent sound (i.e. work to get focus, even if it's not perfect right off), and understanding the techinical side of things. Make sure she breathes properly, and that if standing, her posture is good (it should also be good when sitting, though). Once she begins to grasp the basics, start giving her more challenging things to work on.

Well, my teacher gave me a very small and thin staw andtold me to practice how big the hole was with that, I used to struggle with high notes now....no problem. just put the straw in your mouth then pull it out but keep its shape. Try that if it doesn't work try lessons, they never hurt

Unfortunately, since everyone is different and will need to use their embouchure differently, there is no guarantee that the straw trick will do any good. Getting a teacher is the best way to address problems with your playing, and they may try something like that, but there's no way to know what kind of an impact it might have.