Getting sound out of the flute
Question: My daughter just started playing the flute-she has had one group lesson. She was upset because everyone else made sound with theirs, yet she could not. Is this normal? And the top cover on the flute seems to keep unscrewing, could the flute be broken and if so would this contribute to the lack of sound problem? Thanks for any suggestions.
Answer: Yes, it's very normal. It can be very difficult to get a sound initially on the flute. I had a hard time, too, when I first tried, so tell your daughter not to fret.
No, the top of the flute should not be coming unscrewed. You should take it to a repair person to have it fixed. It should be adjusted appropriately, and then not fiddled with by the student. It could possibly contribute to the trouble with sound production, but I think it's probably just a matter of becoming comfortable with the correct technique. Here are some tips...
1) Get a thin straw, or coffee stirrer, and blow through it. This helps comprehend the idea of blow a thin stream of air. Using the head joint only, place the straw or stirrer across the embouchure hole and blow through the straw. Bring the head joint close to the face with the straw still in place and keep blowing. Gently take the straw away and continue blowing air as through the straw.
2) Blow as though you are trying to cool down a bowl of hot soup. Notice how the stream of air is very directed. Bring the head joint to the lips and pretend there is a bowl of soup just across from the flute and blow as if to cool the soup.
3) Can you find an old-style glass pop bottle? When I was a kid, this was the main way of learning how to make a sound on the flute. Blow across the top of the bottle so that you get a sound. Now do the same on the flute head joint.
4) Hold your palm in front of your mouth about three or four inches away. Blow against your palm so that you feel the air blowing very forcefully. Now put the head joint to your lips while keeping your other hand in front of your mouth. Blow as you did before, so that you can feel the air on your palm.
5) Use a mirror while practicing to get a sound. Put the head joint to your lips and blow across it so that the air hits the mirror.
Tell your daughter not to give up, she'll be able to get a great sound. Good luck!