lower notes

[jocala]

Hello Flutists,

I'm a flute noob, but will not be able to get instruction until January. My background is Jr. High and High School Band, Clarinet, six years total. Over 50 years ago

My instrument is a Yamaha 225S, with a complete technician repad/rebuild, newly done. The book I'm using is Essential Elements for Band, Flute Book 1. I'm working through it, playing a minimum of 1 hour daily.

My question is regarding lower notes, starting with D and below. My notes have no clarity or volume, they sound like a very breathy note blown over a bottle top. Is mastery of these lower notes something that comes with time, or is there a problem with my form a teacher will have to correct?

Thanks for any feedback.

[Gandalfe]

Voicing certain notes on any instrument can be tough. You can work on them by starting with long notes, starting softly and crescendoing to a forte in four beats and the decrescendoing to piano again in four beats. Then go the the next lower note chromatically. If you do this regularly for a week, I'd be surprised if you didn't find improvement. An instructor can help with embouchure and tongue position tricks too. A good instructor can really speed up your progress in these and other challenges with the instrument.

[jocala]

Thanks! I'm putting in an hour of practice daily and looking forward to starting lessons in January. I'll certainly give your advice a try.