What is the function of the embouchure hole on a flute?

The embouchure hole is a small hole in the head joint of the flute, found in the center of the lip plate. To produce sound from the flute, the player places the flute on the lips and blows air from pursed lips across the embouchure hole.

What is embouchure hole?

The embouchure hole of a flute is always situated at a distance of 17mm from the cork (more precisely, the near end of the reflective plate.) This is to correct the tuning of each octave, and especially in the third octave.

What is the flute hole called?

embouchure hole
It is a tapered tube of around 22cm in length, with a ‘lip-plate’ and ‘riser’ soldered onto it, and a ‘head-cork’ assembly that seals the tapered end of the tube. The hole that the player blows into is called the ’embouchure hole’.

What does a flute represent?

Not only the shapes but also the sounds of traditional instruments are often rich in symbolism. The sound of the flute, for example, is widely associated with love magic.

What key are flutes?

The standard concert flute, also called C flute, Boehm flute, silver flute, or simply flute, is pitched in C and has a range of about three and a half to four octaves starting from the note C4 (middle C).

What are the 3 parts of the flute?

The flute has three main parts: the head joint, the body and the foot joint.

Why do flutes have holes?

When we open a hole, it is similar to shortening the length of the pipe as the hole ‘short-circuits’ the flute and a standing wave will be formed between the open end where we place our lips and the first hole. Hence this is why flutes have so many holes.

Where is the embouchure hole on a flute?

The front top edge and the front bottom edge of the embouchure hole form an area that is the front wall. The combined size, shape and angle of this wall is important since it is a bridge the airstream must cross when coming through the lips and into the flute.

What should the bottom lip look like on a flute?

The corners of the lips should be a bit firm with the lower lip squishing out over the embouchure hole. The bottom lip should look relaxed and not tight. The air should be directed at the outer edge of the hole with approximately 60% of the air going into the flute to achieve a full, beautiful sound.

Can a tuba player see the embouchure hole?

If students aren’t using proper air support, their tones will be weak. Remind students that playing the flute takes more air than playing the tuba! If the headjoint is rolled in or out too far, the tone will be poor, weak and most likely airy. You should be able to see about half of the embouchure hole when playing.

When did Theobald Boehm write the flute book?

In his book The Flute and Flute Playing, published in 1871, Theobald Boehm gave the basic formula and measurements of the embouchure: 10 mm x 12 mm, 4.2 mm wall height, 7 degrees wall, and shape of a rectangle with rounded corners (Type 3 with no undercut.).