Soggy bottom?

[Mr.Gumby]

It doesn't look like keithsandra is going to apologise for the way he addressed me above. Retraction of the whole fiasco doesn't seem on the cards either. Threatening with lawyers while pulling exactly the cock up he erroneously tried to accuse me of. There's great irony in that, isn't there?

Let's leave it at that, shall we?

[Julia Delaney]

Here's the thing: if the hard low D is there some time, even if only one time, then you know that there is nothing wrong with the flute. You also know that there is something wrong with yourself. I think Jim came at this in good faith. He does not hand out advice as often as he used to, which is a good thing. He still has some things to figure out on the flute, much like the rest of us. In fact, like all of us.
My own approach to embouchure development is to blow as softly as I can high in the second octave and into the third octave. I try to get just a whisper of a sound and still have the note be clear. Then I know that my embouchure is focused and that my low D will be solid. People often blow too hard in an attempt to compensate for an undeveloped embouchure. Try playing as softly as you can, still producing a clear tone, in the upper octave. It will do wonders for your playing in the low octave.

[flutefry]

I appreciated the helpful, specific, and constructive posts from Cathy Wilde and Julia Delaney. Can't say I have the same appreciation for all the posts to this thread.

FWIW, I admire Jim for his honesty, willingness to ask questions, and willingness to learn in public. This takes a lot more courage than hiding behind an avatar.

Hugh Brock

[jim stone]

Me too. Thanks for the kind words, Hugh. I think all of us agree that the problem is not the flute.
Will take these helpful suggestions to heart.
To Mr. G, I must say that I admire your writing, which manifests considerable command and intelligence, IMO.
I am much affected and impressed by this sort of thing, and by the intellect that generally underlies
it. I have the feeling we would like each other in person.

Thanks to all, Jim

[jim stone]

IMO, bottom D comes and goes from time to time; that's just life. Forcing it isn't going to make it happen. Also IMO, if you try to push Bryan's flutes too hard you are guaranteed go out of tune. Try going all floppy with it -- open your embouchure slightly (make more of a soft pouty "o" with the sides of your mouth closed) and make sure you're not clutching the flute, pressing it into your face, or otherwise deadening it through pressure -- and see what happens. Roll it in, roll it out, and experiment with where your mouth has to be to *easily* achieve a nice round bottom D (no edge); then overblow to middle D without raising your L1 finger; then let your jaw drop slightly so the note can fall back down to bottom D. Lather, rinse, repeat about a hundred million times before you even consider trying to put more of an edge on the bottom D's tone. Then only do it by degrees -- see how little you can get away with to achieve a change.

You might just be getting in the flute's way; this happens to a lot of people. And it is possible to have too tight an embouchure. Having an old-school embouchure myself I struggle with it all the time, and I remember I had to be very conscious of it when Bryan and I swapped flutes for an evening b/c his flute was more sensitive to such things than my Murray. Super-nice flute, though and totally of the "less is more" school. Being as Bryan is a lovely relaxed player, I'd take a cue from his playing as to how his flutes go best. So why not try the floppy thing for a bit and see where it takes you?

megathanks

[Cubitt]

Jim, I have experience with this. You may have a crack inside the flute bore that cannot be seen. I had this and it became a reservoir for moisture. The flute would get increasingly gurgly as I played. I finally had it looked at and repaired. Never a problem since.

[boyd]

I always liked the name "The Soggy Bottom Boys" for a group.

I guess some of you guys doing all the posting should be in it


Boyd



ps// just be glad you all have any sort of a bottom.
I know a man 10 miles from here that has a Pakistani Special that is both topless AND bottom-less

[jemtheflute]

I always liked the name "The Soggy Bottom Boys" for a group.

I guess some of you guys doing all the posting should be in it

Nah, we're The A**e-Wipes. And we're (of course!) hard (Izal only, no extra soft stuff here). ;-D
.

[Jon C.]

Jim, I have experience with this. You may have a crack inside the flute bore that cannot be seen. I had this and it became a reservoir for moisture. The flute would get increasingly gurgly as I played. I finally had it looked at and repaired. Never a problem since.

Good point, I would check the sockets, as cracks can open up after they get soggy. I think I offered to look at the flute a Couple of years ago, maybe it is time "to sharpen the saw"' Jim...

[jim stone]

First I must follow Cat's instructions fifty million more times.
In truth the flute plays the way it did the day I got it.
Thank you for the offer.

[dlambert]

flutefry: Remember only Hugh can prevent florist friars.

[Cathy Wilde]

I always liked the name "The Soggy Bottom Boys" for a group.

I'm afraid that name's already taken. Their big hit's kind of apropos for a "flutes and bottom D" discussion, though

http://www.youtube.com/v/TzK0739QQqQ?fs

[flutefry]

dlambert-thanks for starting my morning with a smile. Your quip reminds me of a joke learned in grade school: Who in a religious institution could open a fast food joint?-the chip monk and the fish friar. They might make a lot more money than a flute fryer-Jim says he isn't ready to take advantage of my services yet.

Hugh

[Kirk B]

I always liked the name "The Soggy Bottom Boys" for a group.

I'm afraid that name's already taken. Their big hit's kind of apropos for a "flutes and bottom D" discussion, though
http://www.youtube.com/v/TzK0739QQqQ?fs

"Is you is or is you ain't my constitiency!?"

Cheers,

Kirk