Sharp C sharp/ D flat

How to Play

Flute Music

About the Flute

Buy Flute Gifts

Site Info

Subscribe To This Site

Sharp C sharp/ D flat

by Suzy
(Boca Raton, FL USA)

I have played the flute since I was 9 (I am now 50!) but never professionally. I was in the school band (1st chair) all through high school and took private lessons. Since then, I have still kept up with my flute, but mostly just for my own enjoyment and at my church.

I have noticed that I have a real problem when playing the C sharp/D flat on the C above middle C. It seems to always come out WAY sharp and the only way I can get it in tune is to roll way in. Does anyone else have this problem? What am I doing wrong? I don't remember this being an issue years ago.

I don't think it can be a fingering problem since that particular note is played with all holes open. Is there something wrong with my flute? There are no problems with any other note.

Hi, Suzy!

Rest assured, you aren't alone! The C#/Db is a problem note for almost everyone who ever attempted to play the flute. That note is acoustically imperfect and just plays sharp.

Here are a few tips to help get this ornery note under control...

1) Close the three keys in the right hand when you play the C#. This "stabilizes" the note and helps control the pitch.

2) Be sure you aren't tightening your embouchure or pulling back the corners of your mouth. Pout as you blow.

3) Open your throat. Think of holding a golf ball in your mouth. This lowers the soft palate and creates a resonating oral cavity.

4) Make your airstream a bit slower than usual. Typically we want a fast airstream for most notes, but for the C#, we can back off a bit.

5) Be sure that the air is focused. Pick a spot on the wall or floor and blow at it, thinking of a pinpoint airstream.

6) Work with a tuner. When the note is in tune, notice what you're doing physically to achieve it.

Good luck and keep on flutin'!

Comments for
Sharp C sharp/ D flat

Click here to add your own comments

Third Octave C Problem
by: Anonymous

Hi Suzy.

Just wondering what the pitch is on your flute. I also rolled in, but did not pout when I played it, unlike the advice given above.

I tightened when I blew, rolled in and attempted control through concentration of the forced air passage as the open fingering on this note requires experience and control more than creative fingering.

I agree that the note lends itself to imperfection, but just wondered what your pitch was. I started at 10 and didn't have much of a problem playing the high C, although the number of hours practiced exceeded what would be expected of a grammar school student who competed at 16 as a non-professional flutist.

I am 48 and like you am playing for fun, but know that the note you find challenging may be executed without too much of a problem with a little rolling in and superior control. I personally didn't change my open fingering position because I didn't believe it was ever intended to be done by flute players.

Good luck with your tooting and hope you still have fun. I played and won a state competition at 16 for Concertino Cecil Chaminade in high school for the state of Illinois and understand the piece better now, but due to relaxed time spent with it anymore, lost most of my lip power and feel like I am starting all over.

Good luck and hope you keep your lips tight and attempt the execution without compromising the fingering. Playing the flute at 48 is so much different than when I was young!

I am presently desiring a Pearl because of its tendency for superior tonality, but will probably end up with something not as expensive. Good luck.

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: Anonymous

Title

Comment
Hi Suzy. Just wondering what the pitch is on your flute. I also rolled in, but did not pout when I played it, unlike the advice given above. I tightened when I blew, rolled in and attempted control through concentration of the forced air passage as the open fingering on this note requires experience and control more than creative fingering. I agree that the note lends itself to imperfection, but just wondered what your pitch was. I started at 10 and didn't have much of a problem playing the high C, although the number of hours practiced exceeded what would be expected of a grammar school student who competed at 16 as a non-professional flutist. I am 48 and like you am playing for fun, but know that the note you find challenging may be executed without too much of a problem with a little rolling in and superior control. I personally didn't change my open fingering position because I didn't believe it was ever intended to be done by flute players. Good luck with your tooting and hope you still have fun. I played and won a state competition at 16 for Concertino Cecil Chaminade in high school for the state of Illinois and understand the piece better now, but due to relaxed time spent with it anymore, lost most of my lip power and feel like I am starting all over. Good luck and hope you keep your lips tight and attempt the execution without compromising the fingering. Playing the flute at 48 is so much different than when I was young! I am presently desiring a Pearl because of its tendency for superior tonality, but will probably end up with something not as expensive. Good luck.

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Help Me Play the Flute

Sharp C sharp/ D flat

Comments for Sharp C sharp/ D flat

Comments for
Sharp C sharp/ D flat