Hi everyone,
I'm a newy, having been given a NAF/style flute by a friend. Flute is 5 hole in E.
I am progressing ok I think but have hit a few issues working in E major.
Both F# and C#, which need half holes are very difficult to blow without cutting the volume
right down (below normal) ... they fly to a high register if I give them anywhere near normal air
Is it likely that my flute is not well tuned?
If so, where can I find help to try to correct it?
Don't want to take steps without guidance and ruin the flute, obviously
Full Version: Is My Flute Tuning Out Or Is It Me?
The Flute Portal Forums > Native American Flute > NAF Newbies: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Corie,
Congratulations on the flute! Half-holing is a technique that requires a lot of practice and experience. I am glad that you are becoming familiar with it and it will get easier and better as you learn to subtly adjust your finger depending on airflow.
First, some flutes are not particularly good at half-holing and are sensitive. I have one that is very tricky and have learned that block placement is critical on that flute. In fact, I have to adjust the block for the half-hole when I start to play with that flute. So, play around with block positioning. I have had to move the block back almost 1/16 of an inch behind the true sound hole to get a clean sound on the half-hole.
Second, you should not have to half-hole for C#. Try: xo xoo That should give you C#.
I would not mess with the tuning just yet. This might be a reason to tell your spouse you need to expand your collection....
Jeremy
Congratulations on the flute! Half-holing is a technique that requires a lot of practice and experience. I am glad that you are becoming familiar with it and it will get easier and better as you learn to subtly adjust your finger depending on airflow.
First, some flutes are not particularly good at half-holing and are sensitive. I have one that is very tricky and have learned that block placement is critical on that flute. In fact, I have to adjust the block for the half-hole when I start to play with that flute. So, play around with block positioning. I have had to move the block back almost 1/16 of an inch behind the true sound hole to get a clean sound on the half-hole.
Second, you should not have to half-hole for C#. Try: xo xoo That should give you C#.
I would not mess with the tuning just yet. This might be a reason to tell your spouse you need to expand your collection....
Jeremy
Sounds like you haven't gotten good control of your air flow, as yet. Usually, the more likely place to have an over blow that is hard to control, in the major scale, is the fundamental note in that scale. If that note is not a problem, than you are more likely in need of learning more control in your air flow.
There can be notes which need a total interruption of air flow, to prevent an unwanted octave jump as well, in changing from one note to the next. Such issues are common with good flutes. Learning where that occurs, and being able to control it, is simply getting familiar with the flute. Playing the major scale on a 5 hole flute, is harder than on a 6 hole flute as well.
I would suggest you need to work on playing skills a while longer yet, before messing with your flute. For instance, I worked on skills only, for 3 full years.
There can be notes which need a total interruption of air flow, to prevent an unwanted octave jump as well, in changing from one note to the next. Such issues are common with good flutes. Learning where that occurs, and being able to control it, is simply getting familiar with the flute. Playing the major scale on a 5 hole flute, is harder than on a 6 hole flute as well.
I would suggest you need to work on playing skills a while longer yet, before messing with your flute. For instance, I worked on skills only, for 3 full years.
Jeremy, thanks for your best wishes, also the suggested fingering for C#. I found it didn't give me C# but tracking off your idea and looking for alternative fingering I found, using the online tuner, that XO XXO was spot on! Also, my flute was not accurately tuned to E (all holes closed), but was sharp (too short) Building a 4 mm extension out of blue tack (you may use yellow tack or pink tack in the States lol) tuned it spot on! Will add a wooden extension later.
QUOTE(Jeremy in SC @ Dec 7 2011, 05:22 AM) 
Corie,
Congratulations on the flute! Half-holing is a technique that requires a lot of practice and experience. I am glad that you are becoming familiar with it and it will get easier and better as you learn to subtly adjust your finger depending on airflow.
First, some flutes are not particularly good at half-holing and are sensitive. I have one that is very tricky and have learned that block placement is critical on that flute. In fact, I have to adjust the block for the half-hole when I start to play with that flute. So, play around with block positioning. I have had to move the block back almost 1/16 of an inch behind the true sound hole to get a clean sound on the half-hole.
Second, you should not have to half-hole for C#. Try: xo xoo That should give you C#.
I would not mess with the tuning just yet. This might be a reason to tell your spouse you need to expand your collection....
Jeremy
Congratulations on the flute! Half-holing is a technique that requires a lot of practice and experience. I am glad that you are becoming familiar with it and it will get easier and better as you learn to subtly adjust your finger depending on airflow.
First, some flutes are not particularly good at half-holing and are sensitive. I have one that is very tricky and have learned that block placement is critical on that flute. In fact, I have to adjust the block for the half-hole when I start to play with that flute. So, play around with block positioning. I have had to move the block back almost 1/16 of an inch behind the true sound hole to get a clean sound on the half-hole.
Second, you should not have to half-hole for C#. Try: xo xoo That should give you C#.
I would not mess with the tuning just yet. This might be a reason to tell your spouse you need to expand your collection....
Jeremy
Corie,
glad that you had found solutions...though I still say you are missing the opportunity to argue for a new flute!
Jeremy
glad that you had found solutions...though I still say you are missing the opportunity to argue for a new flute!
Jeremy
No longer a spouse to argue with J, Just my bank balance! But next job is to build my own, if I can stir myself to get my lathe set up. Won't use the two part routed approach.
Corieltauvus (Mike)
Corieltauvus (Mike)
QUOTE(Jeremy in SC @ Dec 13 2011, 05:16 AM)
Corie,
glad that you had found solutions...though I still say you are missing the opportunity to argue for a new flute!
Jeremy
glad that you had found solutions...though I still say you are missing the opportunity to argue for a new flute!
Jeremy
Mike, one thing to remember is that temp and envronment will effect the flutes tuning. Especially temperature. if it's hot, the flute will play sharp... if it's cold, it will play flat. Most all flute makers I know try for a perfect fundemental note at 72 degrees.
I agree with Rick.. half-holing is a lot trickier than it first seems. In fact, I've been working on it all summer, and I'm just now finally getting the hang of nailing it on most any flute.
I agree with Rick.. half-holing is a lot trickier than it first seems. In fact, I've been working on it all summer, and I'm just now finally getting the hang of nailing it on most any flute.
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