We all accept bad dreams nigh ghosts/monsters etc at some point.  The same could exist said for the note on the top space of the stave: eye E.  Indeed, somebody at RAM spent a whole lesson on middle East and came out crying "I can't get a adept heart E!".

It pops upwardly everywhere,  JS Bach Due east major and E small-scale sonatas,  Piazzolla Histoire du Tango,GriffesPoemetc.  Some of you may not have a problem at all with middle E – in which case, lucky you!    Actually, some flutes have better middle Es than others.  For those of y'all who share my plight, here are some tips to get a proficient middle E.

No vent fingering

Unlikeheart E apartment or D natural, middle East is fingered exactly the same as its lower octave relative.  E flat and D natural have the reward of venting the first tone pigsty, which makes it easier for the second octave to speak cleanly.    Nosotros should therefore practise finding exactly where center E is in comparing to the other harmonics.

Use harmonics to find middle E
Utilise harmonics to find middle E

Centre E lies between the fundamental depression E and its 3rd harmonic – B natural.   Finger a low E and apply your lips to change speed and management of air to alternate betwixt the depression E and the harmonic equally shown in the get-go bar.   Once you are comfortable doing that, movement onto the 2d bar.  The heart E will need a slightly slower air speed than the B natural harmonic, only non as irksome as the depression Eastward (the air speed of middle E is twice as fast every bit depression E).  The direction of air volition be slightly lower than the harmonic, only higher than the depression E.   Once you lot have found it, hold it.  Then repeat the exercise.

Cheat fingering

You may be familiar with the fingering below:

Middle E fingering

Instead of using your correct-hand little finger on simply the E flat key, you press both the East apartment cardinal AND the C sharp key.   E and C sharp share a mutual harmonic:

Harmonics of E and C sharp
Harmonics of Eastward and C sharp

As you lot tin see, E and C sharp both accept Thou sharp equally a common harmonic.    I think this is why adding the C precipitous key helps the clarity of middle Eastward- it somehow enhances this upper harmonic.   This is particularly useful in passages with repeated Es (PiazzollaNight Social club 1960fromHistoire du Tango).

You lot can practise playing these harmonics, finding a vibrant high G sharp harmonic on both fundamentals (E and C abrupt).  Then endeavour to bring out that harmonic when you play heart East.  It's very difficult to isolate and bring out harmonics when playing just one note- but even the thought of that harmonic can help.

As well, singing a high G sharp (plainly non THAT loftier!) whilst playing a middle E can help.   Tune your pharynx to the Thousand sharp and then play the E normally.

If all else fails, use the cheat fingering!  Some people apply a trill key in improver to the normal East fingering- that is ok, just it can often take a strange colour and sound too bright – it depends on the position of the tone holes.

Taffanel & Gaubert

Taffanel & Gaubert EJ 1
Taffanel & Gaubert EJ i

You can utilise EJ 1, two or others.  In the example above from EJ i, every bit Wibb would say, "follow the notes with your lips", and then that when you achieve E, the air direction is higher.  Go on the embouchure round  as in the vowel shape "oo".

Listen to Wibb's middle Es in this recording of Piazzolla:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?5=E644MDLYmwk

Hope y'all observe this helpful.

Thank you for reading and happy fluting!