Low C#

by Rachel

Hi,

I've been teaching myself the flute for several months and can play pretty much all the notes, apart from low C#. I can get the low C without problems, but whenever I try a C#, all that comes out is air. I've checked that the fingering is correct so that's not the issue. Didn't used to be much of a problem, but now I am beginning to play music which requires this low C#. Any suggestions?

Hi, Rachel.

Congratulations on learning the flute on your own!

Can you play the low D? If so, try going down to the C# from the D. Then go back an forth from the D to the C#. First slur the notes, then tongue each note separately.

Also try putting a rubber band around the foot joint of your flute so that the C# key is closed. Then you just have to finger the low D and the C# should come out since the key is closed with the rubber band. (You could also ask someone to hold that key down while you're playing.)

If the C# doesn't come out, you might have a leaky pad on that one key. See a competent repair person to get it fixed.

If the C# does come out okay when the key is closed by the rubber band, and you have an open-hole flute, your right hand fingers might be slipping off the keys so that the holes aren't completely closed. Work on keeping the holes covered while your little finger stretches down to press the C# key.

Good luck!