That little trick to get a low note started, I was taught that by my teacher back in the 1960s, I never met anyone else who does it, until now! And it really works, nice one Gina.
This is sort of random, but it's so validating to hear such a great flutist who also has an off-center aperture, I always feel like I'm doing it wrong when I see myself in the mirror, even when my sound is improving.
Interesting that the alto is your favorite flute: I once read that Theobald Boehm considered the alto to be his definitive invention. A number of orchestration books are rather dismissive of the alto flute, saying that its characteristic tone is confined to its bottom octave, and above that the tone is dull and cloudy, so it's better to use the C flute. But I once heard a solo alto flute unaccompanied at length (a wedding prelude, the flutist improvising in a sort of pop/New Age style, but quite skillfully), going over the whole range. I realized then and there that the orchestration books were dead wrong: the tone was full, stable, rich and beautiful throughout, absolutely the equal of the C flute, if not even better.
Great videos. Very informative. As a profesdional woodwind doubler for musicals etc. I have had to play both C flute and alto flute over the years as I continued to refine my flute skills. Hundreds of lessons and many thousands of practice hours later, I am happy to report that it is indeed possible to become a fine flutist while including alto flute in the mix. Study, practice, repeat! Thanks for your great videos, Gina.
This is just what I have been looking for! I learned to play flute in 4th grade and played consistantly thru 10th grade. I am now an older adult (as in, retired!) and in the intervening years have joined flute choirs and community bands with my C flute. My sweet husband presented me with an alto flute one Christmas several years ago and I made it a goal to increase my proficiency. I am looking forward to more of this series; thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skills; you are delightful!
Thanks Gina! Your tutorial was very helpful. I’m covering a couple of alto flute parts for our flute choir and now I can play the entire range because of the way you explained embouchure here.
Great introduction to Alto Flute ! I used to play the "normal" concert flute, then I had a 4 year break. Decided to dust off my Alto, had my 1st lesson today :) I'm using a Pearl 201, love the sound :)
It would be amazingly helpful if you could make a video on playing the flute with big lips! Some practice routines to do and all that jazz would also be great! Love this video along with all of your content! Keep up the great work!
The reason why I wanted to play alto flute because it’s so rich and yeah it’s all dark and soundI’ve been playing. Alto flute for one and ahalf years speaking of the alto flute a few days ago it was remembrance day I know in America you guys call it Veterans Day but in Canada we cut remembrance day and I had to play the Canadian national anthem on the alto flute and it was amazingThis is my first time playing Alto flute
A very useful video. I find that there is a tendency to hold the alto flute at a bigger angle to the axis of the shoulders than is the case with a standard flute.and I need to direct the air stream slightly to my left to compensate, which improves the tone and general playability at the bottom end.
Also it took me one second to play a note on the alto flute brother and then it takes me days and days to play the alto flute it took me less than a second to make a good sound on the alto flute
I notice that you are blowing "side-saddle"...i.e. you are focusing from the leftside of your mouth, that is your embouchre is asymmetric. Is this something unique to your alto flute approach, or would you recommend this as a general use case? I'm a longtime flute player, just getting into the alto...
If you learn a piece on the C flute then play it on the alto flute, do you keep the same fingering and play the piece in a different key or once you have the piece memorized do you transpose in your head as you play, and finger all the notes a fourth higher to keep the music in the same key as it was written?
Gina, I have an alto flute with the straight head joint. I can't play into the middle register. I do know how to play the c flute. I studied with Gerardo Levy. Any sage advice to get me out of the low register? Thanks, Edmond Nicodemi
Really just down to your own personal case, like whether your embouchure is solid and developed or you’re still working on it. I’d consult a teacher if you have one, if not just try and use your best judgment.
@@kestrel4733 Ok thank you. That sounds good. I have not done any consulting with a teacher and I’m not sure if my family would want me to or if we can afford it. I most likely could support the weight of the straight head joint but I have small pinkies so I think the curved might be better for me personally. Idk tho
@@justinpierce7712 if you’re looking into it and are in the US you can always take out a free trial from the Flute Center of New York. You just have to pay for shipping and they’ll send you a couple flutes if any kind including altos to try out. And when you request it you can have them send both the straight and curved head joints to see what feels right for you.
That little trick to get a low note started, I was taught that by my teacher back in the 1960s, I never met anyone else who does it, until now! And it really works, nice one Gina.
This is sort of random, but it's so validating to hear such a great flutist who also has an off-center aperture, I always feel like I'm doing it wrong when I see myself in the mirror, even when my sound is improving.
Interesting that the alto is your favorite flute: I once read that Theobald Boehm considered the alto to be his definitive invention.
A number of orchestration books are rather dismissive of the alto flute, saying that its characteristic tone is confined to its bottom octave, and above that the tone is dull and cloudy, so it's better to use the C flute. But I once heard a solo alto flute unaccompanied at length (a wedding prelude, the flutist improvising in a sort of pop/New Age style, but quite skillfully), going over the whole range. I realized then and there that the orchestration books were dead wrong: the tone was full, stable, rich and beautiful throughout, absolutely the equal of the C flute, if not even better.
Man, that alto flute could never sound more beautiful!
Great videos. Very informative. As a profesdional woodwind doubler for musicals etc. I have had to play both C flute and alto flute over the years as I continued to refine my flute skills. Hundreds of lessons and many thousands of practice hours later, I am happy to report that it is indeed possible to become a fine flutist while including alto flute in the mix. Study, practice, repeat! Thanks for your great videos, Gina.
This is just what I have been looking for! I learned to play flute in 4th grade and played consistantly thru 10th grade. I am now an older adult (as in, retired!) and in the intervening years have joined flute choirs and community bands with my C flute. My sweet husband presented me with an alto flute one Christmas several years ago and I made it a goal to increase my proficiency. I am looking forward to more of this series; thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skills; you are delightful!
Thanks Gina! Your tutorial was very helpful. I’m covering a couple of alto flute parts for our flute choir and now I can play the entire range because of the way you explained embouchure here.
Great introduction to Alto Flute ! I used to play the "normal" concert flute, then I had a 4 year break. Decided to dust off my Alto, had my 1st lesson today :) I'm using a Pearl 201, love the sound :)
Excellent video! I'll check out your other Alto Flute and Piccolo vids as well. Thanks and keep up the great work!
I’m learning alto saxophone right now and it’s so interesting to see some of the similarities between how you play alto flute and alto saxophone
It would be amazingly helpful if you could make a video on playing the flute with big lips! Some practice routines to do and all that jazz would also be great! Love this video along with all of your content! Keep up the great work!
The reason why I wanted to play alto flute because it’s so rich and yeah it’s all dark and soundI’ve been playing. Alto flute for one and ahalf years speaking of the alto flute a few days ago it was remembrance day I know in America you guys call it Veterans Day but in Canada we cut remembrance day and I had to play the Canadian national anthem on the alto flute and it was amazingThis is my first time playing Alto flute
It sounds so pretty 😍 The alto flute is so fun and in a very cool shape 😊
A very useful video. I find that there is a tendency to hold the alto flute at a bigger angle to the axis of the shoulders than is the case with a standard flute.and I need to direct the air stream slightly to my left to compensate, which improves the tone and general playability at the bottom end.
Also it took me one second to play a note on the alto flute brother and then it takes me days and days to play the alto flute it took me less than a second to make a good sound on the alto flute
man i love when you do alto flute vids espiaccially the bass flute
Thank you for the tips!
You always do such great videos!
Once again a great video! I love the alto for its rich and powerful sound! Thanks for another amazing video Gina!
I notice that you are blowing "side-saddle"...i.e. you are focusing from the leftside of your mouth, that is your embouchre is asymmetric. Is this something unique to your alto flute approach, or would you recommend this as a general use case? I'm a longtime flute player, just getting into the alto...
Great question - I actually just have an offset embouchure all the time. Check out this video: th-cam.com/video/Bsjm8P6cIJY/w-d-xo.html
9:28 Im sure you meant "G what sounds best"....😜
If you learn a piece on the C flute then play it on the alto flute, do you keep the same fingering and play the piece in a different key or once you have the piece memorized do you transpose in your head as you play, and finger all the notes a fourth higher to keep the music in the same key as it was written?
Can you use the alto flute the curve and straight head joint in a church setting?
I like my copper one 🌹
Gina, I have an alto flute with the straight head joint. I can't play into the middle register. I do know how to play the c flute. I studied with Gerardo Levy.
Any sage advice to get me out of the low register?
Thanks, Edmond Nicodemi
👌❤️
What is the best fingering for the second octave A? I tried the same fingering as a second octave D on a C flute but it doesn’t work.
Is there Alto or Bass or contra flute in Childs play 2 theme??? I Feel like there is in it.
I've been wanting an alto since the 90s. Just too expensive.
I’ve been playing flute for 3.75 years. I am 14 and a half. Do you think I’m ready?
Really just down to your own personal case, like whether your embouchure is solid and developed or you’re still working on it. I’d consult a teacher if you have one, if not just try and use your best judgment.
@@kestrel4733 Ok thank you. That sounds good. I have not done any consulting with a teacher and I’m not sure if my family would want me to or if we can afford it. I most likely could support the weight of the straight head joint but I have small pinkies so I think the curved might be better for me personally. Idk tho
@@justinpierce7712 if you’re looking into it and are in the US you can always take out a free trial from the Flute Center of New York. You just have to pay for shipping and they’ll send you a couple flutes if any kind including altos to try out. And when you request it you can have them send both the straight and curved head joints to see what feels right for you.
Reminds me of something...*coughWENDY*