How to Hit the Lower Notes on a Flute

Last Updated: September 5, 2021

On a flute, the lower notes can be harder to play than the higher ones. It just depends on what kind of flute player you are. You could have more trouble playing higher notes than lower notes. Here are some suggestions for making low range notes sound good.

Steps

1
Make sure your flute is working correctly and that all of your pads are sealed. A friend, teacher, or music shop employee can check and see if your flute is fully functional. An instrument repair shop can help identify and correct leaks.
2
Play in a medium register to warm up.

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3
Drop the corners of your mouth, as if you were frowning. When you are blowing to produce a lower note, you need to blow at a steeper, downward angle.
4
Start on a higher note, and descend on any scale until you reach the desired low note. Try to crescendo into the note. Also try slurring down from a note a step or so above the note you wish to play.
5
Practice and experiment with tone the lowest notes you can play. Notice what makes them sound fullest and what makes the attacks cleanest.
6
Work your way toward lower notes a little at a time.
7
Practice playing low notes, starting with a full breath, and maintaining an even tone until the breath is almost gone. Listen to the sound! Is it full and rich? Thin and metallic? None of these are "good" or "bad", but thinking about the quality of tone, will help you learn to get the sound you want.
8
Consider taking private lessons. Ask your band teacher or a music shop to recommend a private teacher for you.
9
Pressing the flute closer to your mouth makes lower notes clearer.
10
Make sure that you are blowing more and slower air that is pointed downward.
11
Make sure your embouchure (lip and mouth shape) is more of an oval shape than a round shape when playing lower notes. The embouchure for middle range notes should be a bit more circular and for the high notes, it should be a small circle.
12
Practice. Low notes are difficult and you probably will not get them just right on your first try.
13
Be relaxed at all times, no matter which notes you are playing.

Community Q&A

Question

Is playing low notes on an alto flute different than on a concert flute?

Community Answer

No. Every fingering is the same. However, because the alto flute is quite lower, you will need to relax your mouth and breathe slower.
Question

At my school during rehearsal, I can reach all the notes on the bottom part of the staff. When I'm at home, I can't even hit a low A. Why?

Community Answer

Make sure your flute is in good condition, first. If everything works, try relaxing your mouth. Go from your lowest note and add a finger. Just remember to relax and breathe slowly. If all else fails, try turning your mouthpiece slowly away from you and then back until you get the right note.
Question

How do I transition from notes like E-flat to higher ones without going to the low notes?

Community Answer

To transition to the higher notes, you need to have a fast and full air going through it. Don't drop the steadiness of your airflow.

Warnings

Attacking too hard while fingering a low note tends to produce the higher harmonics.

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Don't forget to practice every day. Even practicing just for 15 minutes is better than nothing.

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You should not have to squeeze the keys or your face hard to produce a tone. If squeezing improves the tone, have the flute checked for leaks. Also, get out of the habit of doing this, because it will slow you down.

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Don't try to play the low notes too many times in one session. The low notes on a flute are the harder notes to play, so give yourself time to work down to them and be patient.

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