Is Eb a problem note or is it my embouchure? It always seems a bit unfocused.

Which of the 4 Eb notes do you mean?
If you mean the second octave, then are you sure you have the left first finger off the key?
If you mean the third octave, are you sure you have the G# key pressed?

Yeah it's the second octave and yes I have my first left finger off the key. It just doesn't sound clear and focused.

1. Are the D and E significantly clearer than Eb? .......

Yes

2. What brand/model of flute? Perhaps a particularly poor acoustic design?

It's a Yamaha 381

3. It would pay to check, or have checked, your crown cork, to make sure it is sealing well at the embouchure hole end.

Haven't checked that but the flute is brand new. I suspect it needs a setup though.

Could be a few things. The D# key might not be opening enough or the ventings are too low on the foot. Also suspect is the stopper cork (as Micron suggested also), either leaking slightly or in an incorrect position.

Joe B

Could be a few things. The D# key might not be opening enough or the ventings are too low on the foot. Also suspect is the stopper cork (as Micron suggested also), either leaking slightly or in an incorrect position.


Is this common for a new flute?

Anything is posible on a new flute. Most new instruments ned servicing.

Another possibility... I wonder if the Eb key is bent, such that that when you press it down, it also presses low C or C#.

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If you are a relative beginner, it could also be to do with your breath support (i.e. air pressure from the lungs) &/or embouchure.

Well nothing is bent but I am definately a bigginer. About a month now. So most of it is me I'm sure. But I guess I will take it and have it checked.

Even a small bend where it doesn't belong (which you probably won't detect if you don't know what you're looking for) could cause this problem...Definitely take it to a tech for a looking over, but don't expect everything to be perfect right away....It can take years of work to even reach the level where the flute speaks evenly and sounds the way you want it to all over the range. It might even take an advanced player longer than you've been playing to fully adjust to all the little quirks of a new instrument.

Hi Klarinet,

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It really helps! I was wondering why another poster was playing copycat for a bit till I noticed the actual replies.

Welcome to the club! I have a similar problem and posted about it recently. Mine is a Yamaka 674

it's most likely the octave. not really a problem note. the Eb was the second note i learned to play and i got it right away. the third octive is pretty much a problem note though. for me it comes out real airy because it's one of the highest notes i can play besides F. how often do you clean your flute because that could also be a problem. also sometimes i can't get my d, e natural,eb, and f out and my band director says i may have a leaky key.

hope it helps,

schoolbandgeek1