Page 6 - Embou-Sure Book Series

5a-HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE Blowing much too hard. Blow less and more directly into hole. Head joint rolled out too far; roll headjoint inward.
SOUND EXAMPLE #5a
#5b-FLAT SOUNDING A2 Headjoint rolled “in” too far; hole covered too much.
SOUND EXAMPLE #5b
FLUTE BODY ASSEMBLY
Now, having tried to blow a sound using only the headjoint, it is time to put the flute together (not too difficult to do) and hold it correctly (very difficult to do). Students will not have much problem putting (1) the headjoint into the body and (2) adding the foot joint. (If joints are tight, lubricate them by rubbing on some graphite from a soft lead pencil or wash clean with a little soap and water. DO NOT use grease on flute joints.) A few reminders:
1. Avoid hand pressure on rod or keys.
2. Line embouchure hole up with first two keys on body.
3. Line foot joint up by having the key rod in center of last key on the
body piece.
FIRST TONE AGAIN
Holding the flute securely with both hands, (left hand around the upper section of the flute body with no keys down and no attempt to achieve proper hand position) go completely through THE FIRST TONE steps again. Note produced should now be third space C#.
HOLDING THE FLUTE
This is often the hardest part of the first or second lesson. Take time to work carefully with each individual so that correct hand position begins at once. Use a mirror so student can “see” without moving flute out of position.
Use four points of suspension...the lips (& chin), the first finger of the left
hand, the right thumb and the right little finger. Correct placement of the
right hand is crucial and often ignored. Watch the right thumb! If the thumb
goes too far forward under the flute, the wrist drops. Try placing the fingers of the right hand on the key without the thumb touching the flute. Next, add the thumb to the side of the flute so that it braces up the hand rather than holds up the instrument.
FIRST PITCHES
There are three pitches best learned on the flute in the beginning stages be cause they can be produced easily and they assist the student in learning to hold the instrument properly: Third line B natural, second space A, second line G. Review again the “Whee-too” embouchure. Learn these three notes. When they can be successfully played, you are ready to begin in a method book, preferably one designed specifically for flutes in stead of the usual band method books.
Embou-Sure – 8