I have a gemeinhardt 3SHB model flute and for some reason it has a really airy tone. is there any way i can get rid of the airy tone.

1. Have it checked for leaks.
2. Work more with your embouchure.
3. Last option, get a different flute or make of headjoint.

don't blame the flute first, my students tend to do that, if the flute works correctly, then it might be you, not the flute

Already said:

2. Work more with your embouchure.


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I put change flute as the last option also because I also agree with you Patrick.

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Lera, his name is spelled Patrick. :)

it very well could be the flute. gemeinhardts are noted for producing an airier sound. it is just the way the heads are cut on them.

could be the flute, could be the player, I let someone play my flute once and it sounded like a leaky tire...

what do i do to change my Embroshure?

It depends on what specifically needs to be done to your embouchure. I would suggest working with a private teacher, as we can't tell you what might help without being able to observe your playing. For now, try directing your air into different parts of the embouchure hole, working on focusing your airstream or unfocusing it, etc. Basically just experiment with your air to see if you can figure out a way the decreases airiness. You should also place a recording device about 10 feet away and record yourself. What we hear while we play is not what the audience hears while they listen, so what you perceive as airy may not be airy to listeners (and they're the ones who matter).

i have a gemeinhart 3SBO i dont know if that model has open holes but if it does you might not be compleatly covering the holes with your fingers...

Just as an added thing to think about: chapped lips have a tendency to affect tone a bit.

The easiest way to find out if the fault was the flute or not would be to take a lesson with a flute teacher. Then the flute teacher can play your flute and possibly you will be able to play their flute and see what the real cause is.

Although it could be the flute I have people in my in a group on Yamahas and Muramatsus that sound like wind tunnels. A good flute won't make up for bad embouchure and technique.

The two big causes of fuzz that come to mind is from lip form and air direction:

1. Lip form - Some lips are not perfect, some are cupid bowed, some have surface imperfections, etc. Try to play so that the air stream is only touching the inner fleshy part of your lips, with your lips somewhat pouty. You want that perfectly smooth wet portion to be the part that the air goes out and you lips to be pouty enough so that the outside lips doesn't block that stream of air. Also drop the jaw a bit.

2. Air direction - Every headjoint is different and has different sweet spots. When blowing into the headjoint practice bringing the jaw in and out and see if you can find a sweet spot in you headjoint. Also try playing in front of a mirror to make sure you are blowing centered across the embouchure hole. I'll add never roll your headjoint around, keep it in one place and use your lips and STILL make sure you are using the fleshy part of your lip.

Best of luck. I strongly recommend lessons (preferably with a flute performance major degree).

I have a 3SHB, too, and I don't have any airy problems except when I'm trying to get into the very high register. That's probably more of an embouchure problem, though. My teacher has had me working on what she calls a "frowning" embouchure which feels horrendously unnatural, but when I can do it, produces a very lovely tone. Maybe play around with your embouchure a little and see if you can direct the air differently to produce a better tone.