Big leaps seem to be easy for flutes, but they aren’t. Leaps are a lot easier on flute than brass instruments, but they still pose a challenge.
The Challenges of Big Leaps
The reason it’s challenging is because we have to adjust our embouchure so the airstream hits the embouchure hole at a different angle than the last note. Technically, each note has its own sweet spot for where the airstream hits, but that’s a subject for another day.
Here are the two main challenges of big leaps.
Challenge #1. When the note is higher, the airstream goes higher. When the note is lower, the airstream goes lower. If you over or under-adjust, the second note can be flat or sharp.
Challenge #2. Beginners tend to increase the amount of air when they go higher (louder) and decrease the amount of air when they go lower (quieter). This is an attempt to solve the airstream problem by making the airstream larger for the higher notes.
The second challenge creates a big dynamic problem. What if everything is at a piano, everything is low, but you have to hit an octave leap in the middle of each beat? You make a disruptive squawk.
Vice-versa, if you have a bunch of higher notes and have to hit an octave leap down in the middle of each beat, you won’t be able to hear the lower note. Another issue with each of those scenarios is that usually the notes that you’re leaping towards are the melody and you’re doing your own harmonization.
The Solution
Put your hand in front of your face so your fingertips are at eye level. Point your airstream at the fingertips, then move it down to the base of your palm, then back up to the top, over and over, five times. Only move your lips.
When your airstream is at the top of your fingertips, that’s approximately where the very high notes feel like they are on the flute. When your airstream is at the base of your palm, that’s approximately where the very low notes feel like they are on the flute.
Pick up your flute and do just the leaps, making your lips change the airstream just as you did on your hand. You may have to adjust the size of your embouchure to keep the dynamic level the same. Use a tuner or a tuning drone to help you find the exact spot your lips need to go. This is my favorite, free tuning drone. It’s not an affiliate link.
The Jaw
When you play the leaps, you’ll feel your jaw move. That’s okay, it’s supporting your lips. Allow it to do its own thing, and don’t think about your jaw.
The movement should come from the lips. If the movement comes from the jaw, you might be giving yourself TMJ. Not fun. The solution to this risk is to pay all of your attention to the lips and not the jaw.
The concept of playing leaps is very important. I try to teach it as soon as possible with my students, because they tend to have to play a lot of leaps in band.
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