My tone on flute is SOO airy and it drives me nuts!?

Question:other people, including other flute players, don't seem to hear it most of the time when I play. but I hear a buzzy, airy tone alll the time and there's nothing wrong with the instrument, cuz i sound like that on all flutes. I thought my band director would hear it, but I guess he didn't (he's one of the top-ranked directors in US) and put me in a high level band during high school. my brother does hear it though, and he says it annoys him. I have a major underbite...so could that be creating an airy tone?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: other people, including other flute players, don't seem to hear it most of the time when I play. but I hear a buzzy, airy tone alll the time and there's nothing wrong with the instrument, cuz i sound like that on all flutes. I thought my band director would hear it, but I guess he didn't (he's one of the top-ranked directors in US) and put me in a high level band during high school. my brother does hear it though, and he says it annoys him. I have a major underbite...so could that be creating an airy tone?

OK...there COULD be one of more of several things causing the problem. Since I can't SEE or hear you play, I will give the possibilities, and let you work through each. Also, my flute group is a good source of help.

1. The UNDERBITE: An underbite CAN cause your air angle to direct more UP than normal. A way to tell if this is part of the problem is to ask yourself if you sound MORE airy in the lower octave, than in the middle or top octave. In general, thinking of the 4 "C"'s on the flute, for the LOWEST "C", you should be blowing DOWN, as much as you can into the flute. (THINK straight down, as to the floor). For the HIGHEST "C", you should blow straight ACROSS the flute (THINK of the air stream being at a 90 degree angle from the LOW "C".) The 2 inner "C"s on the flute should be approximately at 30 and 60 degree angles.

2. Aperture size: (the size/shape of your lip opening) Look in a mirror, or have someone hold a hand mirror for you for this next one. There are 4 different basic shapes that go with the basic angles above. In general, many flute players blow too WIDE an air stream. That WILL cause an airy sound. Also, NOT having the correct air SHAPE will cause a slight buzzing sound. OK...Low "C". The lip should pull down, this shape should be WIDEST of the shapes, and look like a squished oval. The HIGHEST "C", is the most narrow shape, and also the smallest. it's a VERY small, VERY round hole. I tell students to THINK as if they have a toothpick keeping the CENTER of their lips TALL, as they bring the sides of their lips forward to make the hole small. This keeps players from lowering their upper lip for this shape. Now, for the 2 inner "C"s...3rd space "C", think oval...egg shape. The "C" just barely in the ledger lines should still be a decent SIZE, but clearly, ROUND. One last note about these shapes. If you look at the embouchure hole on the flute, the widest air stream should NEVER be more wide than the straight section of the emboucure hole, before it starts to curve. A mirror can help you SEE the size and shape you are creating. Also, the vapor trail should point to the center of the embouchure plate.

3. AIR SUPPORT: In your case, I don't think this is the problem, or others would HEAR the airy sound more, but I'll list this, so you can double check. Make certain you are breathing deeply, from your diaphram. If you can feel your body EXPAND as you inhale, and contract as you play, you got it right. If you feel the EXPANDING, but NOT the contracting, try on concentrating on bginging your stomach muscles IN while you play. This will give more air support, a faster air speed, and therefore, less buzzing.

Again, if you need further help, I'm available within my flute group! So are Many others who can help.

You need to push more air through your flute. Practise deep breathing exercises and make sure to sit up straight when you play and hold your flute up properly. good posture and good lungs is all it takes.

Your underbite could possibly be causing it. Also, I've noticed that it always seems airier if your the one playing. From a distance, such as in videos of solos, etc., it always sounds better.
Also, how long have you been playing? Sometimes it takes a while to figure out just how to place your mouth. Try twisting it so that the aperature is closer or farther away and see if you can get it to sound less airy.

It sounds to me like your underbite is causing to much air to go over your head joint. To compansate for this you may need to roll in more than normal and possibly have a higher overall headjoint placement.

Check out the great video clip of James Galway talking about embrochure on youtube.