A large number of accidental signs - sharps and flats, in the musical text, cannot be taken into account, believing that this can create technical difficulties when performing an artistic musical work on a Boehm flute.
It should be known and taken into account that the keys containing flat accidental signs most favorably correspond to the peculiarities of the flute fingering.
The technique of playing complex technical techniques, when performing a piece for a flute, taking into account the design features of this instrument, allows performing leaps between the first and second octaves with the utmost tempo speed.
Also, using the blowing technology, that is, a stronger air supply to the instrument, with a slight help of valves, perform jumps, reproducing the melodic line in the second octave and softly, imperceptibly, in terms of the timbre coloring of the flute sound, move on to playing the melody in the fourth octave. For such a technique, it is necessary to learn how to correct the tension of the lips corresponding to this jump. At the same time, you should be aware that the performance of the sounds of the fourth octave has a more complex fingering, requiring a little opening of the holes located above or below the sound required for extraction. That is, it is necessary to use such a slight opening of the holes as additional octave valves.
Such a technology for extracting sound on a transverse flute is similar to extracting sound on stringed instruments using the “harmonic” method, that is, lightly touching a string that is in a state of vibration.
For the most accurate example, it is required to clarify that the main number of notes in the fourth octave, on a flute, is extracted by pressing the dis (D-sharp) valve with the little finger of the right hand.
The performance technology in the upper register provides a technique for reproducing fluent passages that sound higher than the sound d (re) - the third octave. In this case, difficulties arise that are absent when playing in the first and second octaves. However, thanks to the valve mechanism of the Boehm flute, these difficulties can be ignored. The flute mechanism of this system has additional valves, the use of which allows a whole range of fingering combinations, thanks to which you can find a way to implement melodic sequences that, at first glance, seem impossible. However, if you pay special attention to these difficulties of performance, during independent lessons on the flute, thanks to the perseverance of the student, the problem will be eliminated by itself, by increasing the level of the musician's performing technique.
The technique of playing the flute, in the upper register of the instrument, provides for a rather long work on mastering the technique of playing in the upper register of the instrument, as well as acquiring the ability to perform octave jumps and jumps from one register of the instrument to another by changing the tension of the lips with the correct use of auxiliary fingering.
These recommendations should help the novice transverse flute player to correctly draw up a work plan in his daily practice on the instrument. A young musician must determine for himself what professional aspects should first of all pay special attention to. This is important for the fastest mastering of the technique of playing complex techniques by a young flutist when performing a piece for a flute.
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The first flute is like the first love - impressions from it will leave an imprint on all subsequent relationships with instruments. Fortunately, we can approach the choice of a flute (here and below we will talk about transverse flutes), even if up to this moment we have never held it in our hands.
Where to begin?
It is worth mentioning right away that buying an instrument should not be the first step in mastering the flute. Acquaintance with the musical world is better to start with the choice of a teacher. His advice will greatly facilitate the search and save time. The ideal option is to take the teacher with you to the store so that he can evaluate the chosen model on the spot and demonstrate its advantages and disadvantages in comparison with other tools.
Budget
The common belief that the first instrument should not be expensive is not the best guide in choosing a flute. Cheap copies come to us from China. Unfortunately, their quality is quite consistent with the price. Due to the peculiarities of the assembly, such an instrument is difficult to handle: it is not easy to extract sounds from it, which can affect not only the desire to study, but also the health of the student (especially when it comes to a child).
The service life of Chinese flutes is short. As a rule, they live no longer than a year. It is unprofitable to repair such a tool, and it is unlikely that it will be possible to sell it even for half the original price. The advantage of the Chinese flute is only in its low cost, but its disadvantages minimize this advantage.
Flutes of Japanese, American and European manufacturers are more expensive (a middle-class student instrument is 30-40 thousand rubles), but they serve 4-5 years regularly. Used tools can be sold profitably (sometimes even for 60% of the original cost). But the main thing is that it is easier to learn on a good flute: it does not resist the musician, but becomes his continuation due to the mechanics worked out to the smallest detail, the composition of the metal alloy verified over the years, and the silver coating.
Speaking of metal
Most of the student models of flutes are made of nickel silver - slept nickel, copper and zinc. The entire instrument or its individual elements are covered with silver. Nickel silver is highly resistant to aggressive influences: it is not subject to corrosion, strong and resilient - and is considered an excellent material for a student flute.
The lip plate or lips (the part of the flute head that comes into direct contact with the player's lips) is often made from a more expensive metal. The same can be said about the riser (or soldering) - the ring connecting the sponges to the flute head. As a rule, metal is used for its manufacture, with higher acoustic characteristics: if the lips are nickel silver, the riser can be silver, if the lips are silver, the riser can be gold.
Cheaper instruments are made of brass with a thin silver plating.
All-silver flutes are more of an "advanced user" option, as they are more expensive and the nuances of the sound will be hard to discern in the early stages.
Top Producers
The market for musical instruments is saturated with offers. It is necessary to pay attention to products of well-known companies that have managed to prove themselves. In addition to reviews and history, one of the important characteristics of such companies is the production of flutes of various classes, from student to professional, from cheap to expensive.
Only a specialist can recommend a specific brand. The market situation is changing rapidly. Until recently, the products of the Japanese company Yamaha (Yamaha) enjoyed universal respect, but today flutists note a decrease in the quality of the instrument of this company. The American brand Di Zhao and the Austrian Tomasi are now popular. It is difficult to predict what the price-quality ratio of these companies will be in a year, therefore it is always worth contacting a teacher for a recommendation.
Used or new?
It is better to purchase an instrument for the first time in your life in person, and not via the Internet, and ideally, come to the seller along with a teacher or a familiar flutist. The latter is especially important if you are purchasing a used flute. A professional will be able to assess the degree of its "shabby", the correspondence between price and quality. It is important to remember that you cannot buy Chinese instruments from the hands - they are guaranteed to be in a deplorable state.
Used flutes from well-known manufacturers, with good care and careful attitude of the previous owners, will last for many years. Such a tool can be a good start if there is not enough money for a “fresh” copy.
Of course, it is preferable to buy a new flute. As already mentioned, her service life is about 5 years - the same is the initial education at a music school.
Structural features
Especially for teaching children, transverse flutes with a curved head were created: U-shaped or drop-shaped. Both designs make the instrument more compact, making it easy to play for small players whose arms are not yet long enough to handle a straight flute.
Another design feature often recommended for beginners is the off-line arrangement of the flute's valves. On such instruments, two valves (salt and the one closest to it on the right) are offset relative to the location of the others. This design is recommended for all beginner players without exception, especially if the flute is equipped with resonator valves (see below). Offsetting the two keys makes it easier to strike the G note and is therefore popular with flute players, although the in-line arrangement of the keys is considered more elegant.
Among student flutes, you can find instruments with closed valves (the valves are one-piece, without resonators). In the first couple, it is easier to learn from them. Some teachers recommend, however, to immediately buy a flute with resonators, but complete with special plugs. If necessary, the valves can be closed, but from the first lessons the student will get used to the correct setting of the hands.
What else can you pay attention to
When choosing the first tool, you should rely on the opinion of a specialist. The teacher will tell you what other nuances of the design should be taken into account. So, for some flutes, when the “mi” valve is pressed, one of the “sol” valves simultaneously comes into action. This design feature is called “Mi-mechanics” (mechanics is the part of the flute on which the valves and other mechanical elements are located), it facilitates the extraction of “mi” of the third octave and is most often installed on flutes with valves not in line.
Taking the note mi of the third octave is also facilitated by "Neo-mechanics" - a system in which the size of the second valve "salt" is somewhat reduced. This design is usually installed on flutes with in-line valves.
Another variant of the mechanics is The Brögger System, a system that does not use flat springs, which contribute to faster wear of the body of the flute and are used in the manufacture of most flutes.
When choosing a tool, you may encounter such marks as “French system” or “German system”. They differ in two ways:
- G-sharp foot position (pressed or not pressed). The most common system today is the French one: the G-sharp foot is not pressed, the flute has an additional valve that opens when it is pressed.
- The location of the valves "si" and "si-flat". In the French system, the “B-flat” valve comes first, then “B”, in the German - vice versa.
It is quite difficult to choose a good tool on your own. When buying, you should seek help from a professional - a teacher or a familiar flutist. A low-quality flute can discourage the desire to play music and even adversely affect health, so there is no need to chase a low price.
Musical Instrument: Flute
This amazingly virtuoso instrument, with a light, airy, as if "fluttering" sound, reminiscent of birds singing, belongs to the group of woodwinds. According to ancient Greek myths, his invention was the merit of the son of Hephaestus - Ardal. Perhaps no other instrument has undergone such transformations and improvements. Initially, there were two varieties - transverse and longitudinal, but later, the first version replaced the longitudinal one and took its rightful place in the orchestra. These two types are very different from each other not only externally, but also in the way of sound extraction.
Read the history of the flute and many interesting facts about this musical instrument on our page.
Sound
The sound of the flute is reminiscent of magic. Amazingly beautiful sounds are born in the middle register - unusually clear, clean and transparent. It is not for nothing that the flute occupies a special place in the folklore and fairy tales of many peoples; it is often endowed with mystical properties. The melodic sound of the flute in the hands of an experienced musician can not only give aesthetic pleasure, but also simply fascinate with its expressive and penetrating music, which seems to hit us right in the heart. The soft and melodic sound of the flute can sweeten our ears, soften our hearts, evoke the kindest and brightest feelings.
A flute or a simple fife is usually one of the very first musical instruments that children may encounter, and are even able to make their own from improvised objects of a suitable shape.
It is worth saying a few words about the peculiarities of the sound of the flute.
The lower register is slightly deaf, but one cannot fail to notice its softness, cordiality and spiritual penetration, and the upper row of notes sounds piercingly, with a sharp whistle.
The peculiarity of the acoustics of the flute is that when playing the "piano" the pitch decreases slightly, and playing the "forte" raises the sound.
The nature of the pitch of sounds can be changed by adjusting the strength of the air stream on exhalation, and of course with the help of the valve mechanism that closes the holes on the instrument.
flute range occupies the interval from the note “Do” of the first to the note “Do” of the fourth octave.
A photo
Interesting Facts
- An example of the largest transverse flute is an instrument created by the Indian master Bharat Sin in Jamnagar in 2014. The length of this flute was 3.62 m. The national anthem was played with its participation.
- Flutes are made from over a hundred different materials, including bone, wood, metal, glass, crystal, plastic, and others. There is even a flute made of chocolate on which you can play music.
- The title of the most expensive flute according to the Forbes rating belongs to an instrument created by Powell in 1939. This platinum flute is now valued at $600,000.
- The largest number of flutists in an ensemble of 3,742 members gathered in Japan on July 31, 2011 for the solemn celebration of 400 years of Hirosaki Castle.
- The longest uninterrupted performance by a flutist lasted 25 hours and 48 minutes and was achieved by Katherine Brookes in Bedworth, UK, February 17-18, 2012. Katherine repeated the 6-hour program several times, containing 92 different pieces, from classical to contemporary music trends.
- The flute is the only orchestral instrument on which air is blown across the holes. And you should know that a flutist uses much more air than any other wind instruments, including such a large-sized one as a tuba.
- The oldest flute was discovered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 1998. The musical instrument, made from the bones of a cave bear, contains four holes. Paleontologists believe that this flute is 43,000 to 82,000 years old.
- There are 30 varieties of flute, which are produced in almost fifty countries of the world.
- The flute was played by prominent personalities. Leonardo Da Vinci, John II, Martin Luther, Emperor Nicholas I, Enrico Caruso, Woody Allen, M. Glinka, and many others.
- It is known that at the court of the English King Henry the Eighth V, a whole collection of flutes was collected - 72 pieces.
- US President S. Cleveland greatly appreciated his crystal flute with golden elements.
- In Vietnam, in the mountainous district of Yienthe, during the insurgent peasant movement, the flute was used not only as a musical instrument, but also as a cold weapon. They were given alarm signals and at the same time killed enemies.
- According to researchers, playing the flute has a positive effect on the intellectual development of children, immunity, and has a preventive effect on respiratory diseases.
- The main deity of Hinduism, Krishna, is depicted with a bamboo flute. It was said that Krishna created the world through the beautiful sound of the flute, which also preaches love and freedom.
Design
The transverse flute is an elongated cylindrical tube with a valve system that closes 16 holes. One end of it is closed, it has a hole where lips are applied to blow in air. Modern types of flutes include a three-part structure: head, body and knee. Unlike other wind-type instruments, the sound of the flute is formed due to the directed air flow towards the edge of the lip plate. A huge role in the correct playing technique belongs to the shape of the lips or the “ear pad”. You can subtly change the sound of the instrument by changing the degree of tension and the shape of the lips.
The overall pitch is changed by moving the head out of the body of the instrument, the more the head is extended, the lower the sound will be.
Middle flute weight - 600 grams.
The modern concert great flute composes 67 cm long, and the length of the piccolo is only about 32 cm.
Flute Varieties
The transverse flute, in addition to the main large concert flute, has three main varieties: piccolo flute, alto and bass.
The piccolo flute is the most powerful sounding instrument among wind instruments. The structure is the same as that of a great flute, the difference lies in size - it is two times shorter than an ordinary one and sounds an octave higher. The sharp tone of the piccolo flute easily overrides the sound of an entire orchestra. In Rimsky-Korsakov's opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, she is given the theme of a squirrel chewing nuts. In the 1st act of Bizet's Carmen, a pair of piccolos joined the boys' choir, boldly pacing behind the ranks of soldiers.
Alto flute. They resemble an ordinary concert flute, but are somewhat larger in size and with a different structure of the valve system. The range is from "salt" of a small octave to "re" of the third octave.
Bass flute - in the range from "si" of a large octave to "fa" of the second octave
Mention should also be made of much more rarely used samples - d "Amour, double bass, octobass and hyperbass.
Popular works:
I. Bach - Scherzo (Joke) from suite for flute and string orchestra No. 2 (listen)
V.A. Mozart - Concerto for flute and orchestra in G major (listen)
J. Hiber - Concerto for flute and orchestra Allegro scherzando (listen)
Application and repertoire
The expressiveness of the sound of the flute attracted the attention of the greatest composers.
A. Vivaldi wrote 13 concertos for flute and orchestra. I.S. Bach, who knows the technical possibilities well, composed a huge number of works with the participation of the flute, his sonatas are especially beautiful, and the sparkling "Joke" and the unusually touching "Siciliana" do not leave music lovers all over the world indifferent to this day. The masterpieces of the flute repertoire include works G.F. handel, K.V. glitch, I. Haydn, W.A. Mozart, L.V. Beethoven. Charming "Melody" - the most popular solo in the opera " Orpheus and Eurydice”demonstrated the sensuous and expressive aspect of flutes. The flute received a significant place as a solo instrument in the works V.A. Mozart. A real understanding of timbre and virtuosic possibilities was revealed by L. Beethoven, in his own way introducing it into a symphony orchestra, an example is the overture to the opera Leonora.
The age of romanticism was also marked by the development of the performing skills of playing the flute. During this period, the repertoire of flute players was enriched by the masterpieces of such masters as K.M. Weber, F. Schubert, D. Rossini, G. Berlioz, C. Saint-Saens.
IN jazz one of the first to use flutes was drummer and jazz bandleader Chick Webb in the late 1930s. Frank Wess was among the first noteworthy jazz flute players in the 1940s.
Jethro Tull is probably the most famous rock band regularly using the flute, played by bandleader Ian Anderson. The alto flute can be heard on the Beatles' song, "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away", played by John Scott. Also on the song "Penny Lane".
Game techniques
The flute is played in a variety of ways. Often, musicians use double and triple staccato and a very effective frulato technique, which was first used in the symphony-poem "Don Quixote" by R. Strauss. In the future, the ingenuity of flutists-performers had no limits:
Multiphonics - two or more sounds are simultaneously extracted.
Whistle tones - a low whistle.
Tangram - sounds similar to clapping hands.
Jet whistle - jet whistle.
Knocking valves, playing with a thorn without sound, sounds are extracted at the same time as singing and a variety of other techniques.
The flute, for all its apparent simplicity, not only has a rich and glorious history, but also has a uniquely wide range of uses. This is due, perhaps, to the fact that it belongs to one of the most ancient, if not the most ancient instruments, with which our primitive ancestors tried to create music tens of thousands of years ago. Since the Stone Age, the flute has begun to win the hearts of people, captivating us with its soulful and exciting sound, which echoes not only in the heart, but also in the most deeply hidden genes inherited from our distant ancestors. A modest wooden or bone flute, lovingly carved by a master, is able to create a whole unique universe filled with continuous amazing sound that you want to listen to endlessly.
Video: listen to the flute
The noise and hubbub subside in the hall when an ensemble with a flute appears on the main parts at the celebration. In the company of a harp or cello, playful violin or solo, this instrument instantly sets guests in a romantic mood. The arsenal of musicians presented in our catalog includes both classical pieces and folk compositions that will enliven the event with notes of ethnicity from Ireland.
Flutists at the festival: how to choose?
The flute is far from the simplest musical instrument, although it seems that the sounds that are extracted from it are light and pleasant to the ear. To play the flute, it is not enough to have only musical talent. Have you ever thought that this instrument is difficult to play even physically? And this is so. Those who know this always look with respect at the fragile performers who blow out real musical masterpieces from this insidious "pipe".To choose a solo flutist or flutist ensemble for your event, see their profiles on this page. In the photographs you can see what costumes the performers are wearing. Someone prefers classic evening dresses, while for someone, national Irish sundresses are appropriate. You can watch the musicians play directly in the "Video" section, where videos from performances are collected. Assess how complex the works of the performers are and how appropriate they will be at your event..
