Dry throat when playing flute.
- AngelicBeaver
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Dry throat when playing flute.
I'm a low whistle player, but I'd like to be able to play flute as well, for variety, but I've found that my throat dries out while I'm playing flute for any extended period of time, meaning more than just a few minutes. This never happens when I play whistle. Is there something I should be doing to prevent this? The only thing that helps is to stop and drink some water, but my throat is uncomfortably scratchy by the time I finish the next tune.
Nathaniel James Dowell
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
Practice, practice, practice ... and work to develop a focused and efficient embouchure.AngelicBeaver wrote:Is there something I should be doing to prevent this?
It's hard to say what may be going on without watching you play but my guess is that you are using to much air - both in and out - drying out the throat in the process. A bit too much huffing and puffing might be at play. It's not uncommon in the early stages with the flute or if you are an occasional player. If you don't have the same issue on a low D, say, then I'm guessing you need to work a bit more on your embouchure to tighten it up some. The flute is a very efficient instrument compared to a whistle and should require less air. You should be able to play longer phrases between breaths on the flute. But mind you this is just a guess on my part.
Otherwise dry mouth can happen on both instruments. Placing a hard candy,a piece of gum or similar in the cheek can help get the juices flowing to solve some of that. Water and the usual adult beverages are common cures as well. I usually have a glass of iced tea handy for between tunes this time of year. Best to stay ahead of the drying out.
I'm sure others will have thoughts to share as well.
Feadoggie
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- benhall.1
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
Just a thought, but could you be subconsciously vocalising while playing as I used to do (still do sometimes)? In which case, you need to consciously stop it.
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
Someone should tell Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull to stop!benhall.1 wrote:Just a thought, but could you be subconsciously vocalising while playing as I used to do (still do sometimes)? In which case, you need to consciously stop it.
EDIT: Is this you Ben?
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
FWIW, I too get a dry throat after a few tunes. I have a bottle of water with me when I play or practice, and that seems to work for me.
good luck, keep playing !!
good luck, keep playing !!
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
Thanks for the replies. I've been playing on and off for a couple of years now (more off than on), so my embouchure definitely has room for improvement. I still struggle in the second octave, although the consistency is getting there. I stay late at the office to give myself 15 to 30 minutes of practice every day, as well as any time I can squeeze in when I can.
The flute has frustrated me from the beginning, so I'm trying to throw a ton of practice at it in order to get over the hump. I want it to be as easy as whistling. Right now, it's like I'm playing a bad whistle with interesting tonal characteristics, and my wife hates the sound. I don't know if she'll ever like the sound of the flute, but I'm hoping that I can (at least) get to the point where I'm confident that it's flute she doesn't like, and not my terrible playing.
The flute has frustrated me from the beginning, so I'm trying to throw a ton of practice at it in order to get over the hump. I want it to be as easy as whistling. Right now, it's like I'm playing a bad whistle with interesting tonal characteristics, and my wife hates the sound. I don't know if she'll ever like the sound of the flute, but I'm hoping that I can (at least) get to the point where I'm confident that it's flute she doesn't like, and not my terrible playing.
Nathaniel James Dowell
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
My suggestion (fwiw): get a few lessons with a flute player! Doesn't matter if the teacher plays Irish or silver. From your post, it sounds like you're just reinforcing bad habits. If that's the case, no amount of practice will cure it! Just one or two lessons with a teacher will get you on the right path. We can say "focus your embouchure" 'til we're blue in the face, but if you don't know how to do it, well, see above...
Just thought of another option - maybe take a Skype lesson (or three) from Blaine Chastain...
Good luck!!!
Pat
P.s. If you post a clip (if you're brave enough), maybe we can make better suggestions.
Just thought of another option - maybe take a Skype lesson (or three) from Blaine Chastain...
Good luck!!!
Pat
P.s. If you post a clip (if you're brave enough), maybe we can make better suggestions.
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
Unlike whistling, Lauren Bacall may not be the best teacher, sad to say.AngelicBeaver wrote:I want it to be as easy as whistling.
Listen to Plunk111.AngelicBeaver wrote:The flute has frustrated me from the beginning, so I'm trying to throw a ton of practice at it in order to get over the hump. I want it to be as easy as whistling. Right now, it's like I'm playing a bad whistle with interesting tonal characteristics, and my wife hates the sound. I don't know if she'll ever like the sound of the flute, but I'm hoping that I can (at least) get to the point where I'm confident that it's flute she doesn't like, and not my terrible playing.
Feadoggie
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
I have the problem of no dry eyes in the room when I'm playing - everyone's falling about laughing.
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
Yeah, keep playing and don't think about it. This is one of those issues that will mysteriously sort itself out with time if you play enough. Focus on the tone you produce rather than any of the mechanics. Your subconscious will sort it out and then you'll never have to think it out again*.AngelicBeaver wrote:Is there something I should be doing to prevent this?
*Except after long non-playing layoffs, when you might need to play in your lip to regain your former sound.
And now there was no doubt that the trees were really moving - moving in and out through one another as if in a complicated country dance. ('And I suppose,' thought Lucy, 'when trees dance, it must be a very, very country dance indeed.')
C.S. Lewis
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
With pleasure, but with little expectation of success. Le sigh!Lars Larry Mór Mott wrote: Someone should tell Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull to stop!
And now there was no doubt that the trees were really moving - moving in and out through one another as if in a complicated country dance. ('And I suppose,' thought Lucy, 'when trees dance, it must be a very, very country dance indeed.')
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
I had the same syndrome to, after sometime I got over it after perfecting my embouchure.
If it does happen, my theory is you are exhaling a lot of air and you lack control of embouchure.
Embouchure control minimize the air and perfects the not execution.
I do expect a dry lips instead of a dry throat.
If it does happen, my theory is you are exhaling a lot of air and you lack control of embouchure.
Embouchure control minimize the air and perfects the not execution.
I do expect a dry lips instead of a dry throat.
Quote by Zig Ziglar: “Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation”
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
Embouchure is often a matter of muscle tone as much as technique. Sometimes you just have to play through it and wait for the right lip muscles to develop.
And now there was no doubt that the trees were really moving - moving in and out through one another as if in a complicated country dance. ('And I suppose,' thought Lucy, 'when trees dance, it must be a very, very country dance indeed.')
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
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Re: Dry throat when playing flute.
If you're using a lot of throat articulation, it might be worth examining that a bit. I used to find that using a lot of "energetic" throat articulation caused some irritation, and is counter-productive in any case. If you're not using throat articulation, then ignore!