Help on sound for tounging!

    
Help on sound for tounging!    22:47 on Wednesday, November 17, 2010          

Account Closed
(5 points)
Posted by Account Closed

Hi everyone!
I have a honor band audition and i really want to be the best i can be. My flute teacher has complimented me on my tone, because i don't have any fuzz like the other flutes in my band class and Ive been only playing for 2 years.
Sometimes i like to record myself and Ive always noticed my tonguing sound. It really bugs me because its so loud. I hear other flutes on youtube and such and they dont have that extra sound. is it because i tounge to hard? How do i get rid of it so i can be my best? thanks so much!


Re: Help on sound for tounging!    05:14 on Thursday, November 18, 2010          

Bilbo
(1340 points)
Posted by Bilbo

This is an interesting issue.
I've found that for some students, the tone changes when they tongue and the only answer is to develop a practice routine/workout that will improve the player's technique.
This loss of tone focus may be because they are using their tongue too strongly or because they are changing their lips or breath in some way when they use their tongue.

I like that you are recording yourself. Do you have headphones?
IF you do, and they are the type that are more closed around the ears (Not the foam ear pads)
I would like to suggest something. Get a 10 foot extension wire or maybe consider buying those wireless headphones so that you can stand at a distance of about ten feet from your microphone(s) in a bigger space/room. Set the volume that you are hearing your flute sounds at a middle range so that you don't have a chance of hurting your ears. This will give you a way of hearing yourself as others hear your playing but the headphones must be pretty soundproof. It isn't necessary for this following exercise.

Maybe you want to try this little exercise,
Everything that you play in this should be short and as quiet as possible.
Play the B from the middle of the treble staff. Repeat this note very separated and staccato. Like saying this: "Tor - Tor - Tor - Tor...." It is very important to breathe after several notes (when necessary) and not after each note.

It is important that you try to tongue these repeated notes in this exercise as short and quietly as possible. Think of a clear and small tone. Focus your mind on using the tip of the tongue lightly but quickly and also on your lip shape at the place where the air jet comes through.
Here is the exercise. Look for a pattern.
Play 4 short B notes.
Play 4 short C notes just above that b.
Play 4 short B notes.
Play 4 short C# notes just above that b.
Play 4 short B notes.
Play 4 short D notes just above that b.
Play 4 short B notes.
Play 4 short Eb notes just above that b.
Play 4 short B notes.
Play 4 short E notes just above that b.
Play 4 short B notes.
Play 4 short F notes just above that b.

If you catch the pattern of this exercise, it is a chromatic scale with a return to the middle line B every other time. Continue the pattern on up to as high as possible or until you start losing the control of the dynamic or tone.

Again, always be very careful that your notes are clear, short and quiet.
As you go up the scale, it will become more difficult to keep the higher note at the same tone and dynamic as the middle line b. Don't get louder, don't hurt your ears, keep trying. If you get tired, stop for a time but resume the next day.


   




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