How do you control the frequency on a flute?

Answer 1

Frequency is the measure of vibrations-per-second; the musical term is pitch.

"Gross" control of pitch on the Flute is accomplished by the use of holes in the body of the flute. In simple wooden flutes, the holes are covered by the pads of the fingers: in metal flutes and keyed flutes, keys (with soft leather or fiber pads) cover the holes. The basic concept is that the longer the tube, the lower the vibrations, hence the lower the pitch. The tube can be "overblown", selecting higher pitches based on the harmonic series. Between overblowing and fingering theholes, the flute can play many pitches (notes).

For each note, the pitch can be adjusted. Rolling the flute so the embouchure hole is further from the lips tends to make the pitch drop, while rolling the flute the other way sharpens the pitch. Blowing harder, but not hard enough to leap to the next overtone, will raise pitch, while blowing more softly lowers the pitch. These two actions can be combined, because blowing harder and softer also controls the loudness of the flute.

Finally, the overall pitch (tuning) of the flute can be controlled by the first joint above the fingering holes. By pulling the joint out, the flute is overall made longer, and the ovverall pitch drops. Pushing the joint in raises the overall pitch: this is how a flute is tuned. Modern metal flutes may have a mark on the tenon (the part that slips into the joint) which indicates the usually-appropriate amount to slide the joint for nominal "in tuneness", but various factors, including the player's lips, customary breath pressure, the temperature in the room and the tuning of others that the flautist is playing with, will affect the appropriate position of the tuning joint.

Answer 2

Dynamics are controlled by several factors when playing flute. Because of its high-pitched nature, low notes tend to be much quieter than the upper register notes. C below the staff, naturally, will be much quieter than a C above the staff on a flute.

When attempting to play high notes softly, then, one must learn to control the air flow. Playing notes at a dynamic level of piano requires support and steady air or the note will be shaky, flat, and anemic-sounding. At the same time, if one overblows the note, it may go sharp or even jump up to a different note altogether. Support quiet notes from your stomach rather than your chest and be careful not to let your tone deteriorate because you are playing loudly.