Great video. Dynamic control using long notes. To maintain support surely our throat must close a little bit & the tongue shape compensates for less air but at the required speed?. That's how it feels in my body. It's internal & hard to explain, but the air control, as I understand it, is Diaphragm, Abs & Ribs...Throat...Tongue...Embouchure. They all subtlety interact in a complex way. (it's like walking across the room, you don't consciously tell your legs which muscles to use... you just do it). I only mentioned Throat because it is one of the areas of breathing that we can control. But not to squeeze. No one talks about Throat except to say " keep it open". What are your thoughts on that?. Thanks for reminding us about a relaxed embouchure & the use of jaw. You sure keep us thinking.
Hi Deryck! Great thoughtful question. I don't think my throat closes at all when I'm playing softly. It is the opening of the embouchure that is smaller to help keep more air inside. The air is totally controlled by the support. Truly there are automatic movements that happen but if the throat closes a small bit I don't think I would ever mention it because it would always be taken to the extreme. If I mention keep it open it is my experience then that students will open the correct amount. Much the same for playing the 2nd and 3rd octaves.. Do you actually blow harder with more air? Yes, probably but I would never tell students to blow with more air because they would ALWAYS overblow. Glad that it makes you think!
Thanks Angela, ... now I have even more work ahead of me ... (kidding :-) ) Awesome Teaching/Advice and it does make a huge difference to REALLY have that support and be in control of the embouchure when the Dynamics demand it, as usual, great video, God bless
![[Back to Basics] Easily Play the High Notes Softly, Yes It's Possible!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8D3AjPcaCMc/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks! This helped me a lot with my flute practice tonight!
Fantastic!
Great video. Dynamic control using long notes. To maintain support surely our throat must close a little bit & the tongue shape compensates for less air but at the required speed?. That's how it feels in my body. It's internal & hard to explain, but the air control, as I understand it, is Diaphragm, Abs & Ribs...Throat...Tongue...Embouchure. They all subtlety interact in a complex way.
(it's like walking across the room, you don't consciously tell your legs which muscles to use... you just do it).
I only mentioned Throat because it is one of the areas of breathing that we can control. But not to squeeze. No one talks about Throat except to say " keep it open". What are your thoughts on that?.
Thanks for reminding us about a relaxed embouchure & the use of jaw.
You sure keep us thinking.
Hi Deryck! Great thoughtful question. I don't think my throat closes at all when I'm playing softly. It is the opening of the embouchure that is smaller to help keep more air inside. The air is totally controlled by the support. Truly there are automatic movements that happen but if the throat closes a small bit I don't think I would ever mention it because it would always be taken to the extreme. If I mention keep it open it is my experience then that students will open the correct amount. Much the same for playing the 2nd and 3rd octaves.. Do you actually blow harder with more air? Yes, probably but I would never tell students to blow with more air because they would ALWAYS overblow. Glad that it makes you think!
Thanks Angela, ... now I have even more work ahead of me ... (kidding :-) )
Awesome Teaching/Advice and it does make a huge difference to REALLY have that support and be in control of the embouchure when the Dynamics demand it, as usual, great video, God bless
Hi Jorge! Thanks! So many people just squeeze the high notes rather then let them come out in a beautiful soft sound. Have a good day!
Hi. What was the name of that piece?
The piece was Trois Pieces by Octave Ferroud from the 3rd movement. Available from IMSLP for free.
Thank you! Great video!
Thanks Meri!