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Harmonics
Ready for some acoustics ?
All natural sounds are build up of sine tones. These
tones never naturally show up by themselves. They are always
combined in a mathematical way to form a certain sound. The
manner of their distribution in the sound forms the colour
of that sound. The rest of this explanation will only be in
function of the flute sound.
The distribution of harmonics is always mathematically
determined like this :
- Ground tone = fundamental
- First harmonic : doubles the frequency of the ground
tone
- Second harmonic : triples the ground tone frequency
- Third harmonic : quadruples the ground tone frequency
and so forth ...
thus for a sounding A1 of 440 Hz. ( 440 vibrations per
second ) the frequencies will be :
- 440 Hz. for the ground tone = A1
- 880 Hz. for the first harmonic = A2
- 1320 Hz. for the second harmonic = E3
- 1760 Hz. for the third harmonic = A3
- 2200 Hz. for the fourth harmonic = Cis4
and so forth ... although these harmonics are extreme
high on the flute.
To play the most harmonics on your flute start with the
lowest note, C1 (or B0). You should be able to play 7 or 8
harmonics : c2, g2, c3, e3, g3, bes3, c4 and maybe d4.
How ?
- Always keep the fingering of the lowest note !
- Play the higher notes like you would do when playing
them with a normal fingering. Change the embouchure, not
the fingering. If you don't know how to change your
embouchure, see tone and
air direction.
- Don't force the keys down while playing higher and
higher.
Why ?
- To create a special colour.
- To use as an excellent exercise for air stream,
registers, tone, air direction, ...
- To master a perfect and flexible embouchure.
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