Flute FUN-damentals
Chapter 7: Tone Development

Octave Slurs & Harmonics

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IN THIS LESSON

  • Learn ways to develop tone and embouchure through the use of Octave Slurs and Harmonic exercises.

Octave Slurs

Octave Slurs are extremely important to a flute players’ development. Not only will they help with fundamental tone development, but they will teach you how to properly direct your air stream and utilize your embouchure to achieve upper and lower registers.

When practicing, do NOT “overblow” to reach the upper octave.

Instead focus on air stream direction. A good way to start this is by first thinking an “ah” syllable for the low octaves and transitioning it to an “ooh” syllable. Then, direct an airstream on to your hand while transitioning between these syllables to direct your airstream up (ooh) and down (ah).

Set your metronome to 66 to start. You can work these faster later on, but it is important to begin slow to focus on the right concepts.

  1. Set up with good posture

  2. Take a deep, band breath in time (preferably over two counts)

  3. Set your embouchure

  4. Articulate your sound with a clear “tooh” start and slur to the upper octave (don’t re-articulate). Focus on direction of air as mentioned above.

  5. Sustain the sound for the full number of counts, ensuring to release with a resonant sound on count one.

Harmonic Exercises

Harmonics are another aspect of flute tone development that all flute players should be working on. Through proper practice of these exercises, you will develop your embouchure and improve high register tone quality and intonation.

Harmonics are notated with a small, open circle above the note.

  1. To create the harmonic, play the fingering of the note written below it, and utilize your embouchure to direct a very cold, fast airstream upwards (refer back to the octave slurs and transition your embouchure between an “ah” and “ooh” oral cavity shape).

  2. Try to focus on keeping your air stream going through each note change. Stopping air will prevent you from being able to perform this exercise.

  3. This exercise is difficult, especially the higher slurs! Keep at it and you will work up to it over time.

  4. Always practice with your metronome!