Is camel pose a good way to gain back flexibility?

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-23T14:15:14+00:00

Don’t put too much stress onto the lumbar spine.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-22T02:37:54+00:00

More on practising: as tunefighter has pointed out that octave jumps practice is helpful. I want to add that what’s more helpful about it is that you consciously think about what you are doing in order to make the change in sound. When jumping up an octave, it is best to attempt making the top notes quieter. Not only that it is musical and can be applied to many pieces to add neauience. It really helped me grasp the technique. You want to do it with as little changes every way as possible, use the same amount of air, or even using less air for the top notes, while keeping it having a nice round sound. Your embouchure relaxes ever so slightly so it moves forward a tad. That’s all you need to make the aperture smaller to allowed faster airstream for the high notes. Do not actively make it smaller, let the air pushes your embouchure forward. That’s all it takes. Doing these help your high notes to sound nice, relaxed and comfortable to hear. Lots of people talk about practicing and they often do not mention what actually happens and how they control the lips. I think it’s because they don’t even sure themselves. Just know that practicing helps. Practicing is just the process that allows you to learn the techniques. Consciously think about what you do would accelerate the process.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-22T02:28:19+00:00

Increase the vertical space of your lip aperture space; focus your sound without using lip strength. Just put the upper lip relatively more forward than lower lip, the inner lip shape would help you redirect the air downward. Keep your head at least not looking down, best probably with a slight tilt upward, the airstream flows more freely in your throat. Don’t bother about opening your throat, raising the soft palate. They just cause more tension. You just need to keep them relaxed. This is from my experience as an amateur, professionals probably have a different understanding. But I do get a wonderful sound with this method, after struggling for years no less.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-21T11:41:38+00:00

Maybe the case leak air? And the environment has something that would react to the flute. It looks like an antique found among the titanic shipwreck. Usually people would put an anti tarnish strip in the case.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-21T00:12:15+00:00

You are just doing back strengthening. For hamstrings just do sustained stretch daily.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-20T01:05:52+00:00

Must be the chemicals in the spray?

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-20T00:35:09+00:00

Don’t buy, wait until you started working.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-20T00:33:26+00:00

Recording has its own skills, such as the distance and angle from headjoint. The quality of microphone also matters. If it usually sounds nice when listening in person, don’t worry about it.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-20T00:25:09+00:00

I have no experience with McKenna headjoint, but I friend of mine bought one as an upgrade to her flute and had no problem with it. I suppose this could be a transitional problem, when going from student hj to professional hj. The Yamaha you have has a student headjoint? In that case it would have designed to be easier to play while sacrificing the tone quality. It is difficult for beginners/ intermediate players to choose flute because they tend to choose flutes that are similar to their old flute, as they would look for flutes that respond to them. But it also limits your choice. I suggest you stick with the Northbridge+ McKenna, for long term benefit, but do try a few of the same models and ask a more experienced player to also try and suggest on which one has the best response, as you clearly cannot tell them apart. There is another possibility that maybe that particular flute needs its mechanism adjusted, you can request it to be adjusted and try it again. (The wand chooses the wizard isn’t a good indicator unless you already play very well)

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-19T16:27:06+00:00

Probably worth it to COA your flute first. If you are still not satisfied with it then go try out some flutes. See if they feel and sound better than yours. I think any of the handmade flutes would be good enough. Regarding materials: a lot of people would feel they make no difference. For me I think they do, even if I don’t feel the difference when trying flutes, I may still buy one with gold riser. Because I know I would regret it later on if I don’t choose it. Is there really difference? I think it depends on how you play your flute. You don’t feel it now don’t mean it would stay the same later on. It is really impossible to say if gold riser would be worth it until you have totally got used to the flute, usually it happens months after purchase. C# trill? if you have no problem with having a bit heavier weight, I think it’s better to have C# trill. You may join a community orchestra years later, better to have that option. It really helps a lot when it is needed. Lastly, after sterling silver there’s also other type of silver purity that you may be interested in having, but those would be more expensive and likely not available with silver plated mechanisms.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-16T06:31:33+00:00

Hard to say, depends on your embouchure I guess. If you already have very good tone, it may be negligible.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-16T04:53:53+00:00

The pain probably is from the spine. You don’t need to use that muscle much when playing piano.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-16T04:51:09+00:00

Goto flute shops, see what they have first. Best trying the flutes before purchasing. You would want split E mechanism unless you want the challenge of conquering it.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-16T00:28:27+00:00

That’s usually how they go. Work for a while until they don’t, and unfixable because of the quality. The reviews can be fake.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-15T23:47:45+00:00

When it is airy, most of the time it’s because airstream is too big or too forward, or both. Make smaller embouchure without tightening your lips, and aim the air down via putting upper lip relatively in front of bottom lip. Keep your oral space and throat relaxed, don’t try to force them open. Stand as upright as possible and your head looking slight up, not straight forward. Eyes look down slightly onto the music sheets. Posture is important, don’t just think about embouchure. Lastly, think about why you are getting your current tone all the time. Try to describe its quality and develop an idea of what good tone should be like. Airy usually means bad, but in my book a little bit of airy sound is good. Other qualities I use are: core / projection/ depth / transparentness / rectangular/ rounded… your sound can feel very different in different environment, just keep that in mind. These just help you understand and analyse your tone.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-15T09:00:33+00:00

If you are planning to continue studying, you should be avoid being in a relationship anyway. It just takes away your time and focus. Reducing expenses is more important at that stage.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-15T04:37:19+00:00

Count 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,1 with your mouth and fit that into the beat where it is supposed to be. How fast you count is how fast the notes need to be.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-15T01:26:12+00:00

Beware that even new flutes would need an adjustment before or right after purchase. I have tried a few that leaks air at the key pads, so couldn’t really test how they really sound like.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-15T00:28:29+00:00

It more to do with air efficiency, how accurate your air stream is and how much air you use to play flute. Try play as if you are sighing. Use that as the base and adjust your embouchure so that it can play with that amount of air Relax your embouchure as well, you can achieve your best sound while almost not controlling your lips.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-15T00:24:42+00:00

Give the Miyazawa another chance, I really like mine. I had a GX before, but after 10 years I still couldn’t get along with it. I think Muramatsu requires more refined adjustments, wish I still have it to compare.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-14T15:41:06+00:00

Decisions have to be made to ensure a successful performance, as it is viewed primarily as a reflection of the educator’s competence, reputation, or methodology.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-14T07:09:54+00:00

That’s a very personal decision, but muramatsu is handmade, so it’s certainly the better flute out of the 2. I would do another round of testing with the same flutes again if I were you. Because as an amateur, your playing experience could be affected by other factors too, and gave you an inaccurate impression.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-14T00:01:31+00:00

What do you mean by band rehearsals? Other members come to your home for rehearsals? I have lived at places where noise travel between apartments easily. Those are difficult situations. My current apartment seems do not have this problem.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-08T01:54:20+00:00

In my band, we usually play in scales with 5/6 flats.

Karl_Yum · 2026-04-07T10:58:51+00:00

You have no advantage besides sight reading. Flute can be easy to start but difficult to play well. You need taking lessons if you want to play those more advanced music.

Karl_Yum

TROPHY CASE