FLflutist wrote:It's a proven fact that flute uses more air than any instrument, you need more air to play a flute than a tuba even!
Actually, tuba and flute use just about the same amount of air, so it's not true to say that flute takes the most of any instrument. It is fair, however, to say that it wastes the most of any instrument, since the way flutes produce sound is to split the airstream, meaning that not nearly all of the air actually makes it into the instrument.
To Vandoren, don't become accustomed to playing with your tongue supporting your lower lip. As you've already realized, it's a bad habit in the making and will severely restrict your ability to articulate. Most likely it's just a matter of embouchure strength. As you progress, the muscles required to form a stable embouchure will grow stronger, and you won't need to use your tongue. Take it slow and work on learning the good habits (a good live teacher could help a lot)....After all, you can't expect to play like Rampal after only a week!
The gap in your lips will mean you don't get sufficient air pressure/speed, so you will need to work on closing that. However, without being able to observe your playing, it's not really possible to make specific suggestions on what needs to be done and how to get there.
You should not end a practice session with your face aching. That is a sign of excess tension, and can result in unnecessary problems down the road that will severely inhibit your playing. Make sure that your embouchure is firm, yet relaxed, and work from there.
