Point of Maximum Resonance

Flute tone is one of the most important parts of playing. A flutist can have great technique, but it their tone is fuzzy, there will always be something missing. In order to get the best tone, you have to find your PMR, or point of maximum resonance. Your PMR gives you the richest tone, loudest volume, and allows you to play the most in tune.

At the PMR, your air should be split 50/50, half going into your flute and half going over it. Start by placing your flute a quarter of an inch below your aperture and play a C# (in the middle of the staff). The C# is the worst possible note on a flute because it uses the shortest length of tubing. There is less room for amplification of sound and resonance, making it hardest to focus the air. Try rolling in and out several times, with a steady stream of air, and take note where the sound is loudest vs. softest, the pitch is sharpest vs. flattest, and where the tone quality is fuzzy vs. clear and resonant. Stop rolling when the C# is loudest with the richest tone. If you are too far rolled out, your tone will lose the bass and the volume will decrease. If you are too far rolled in, your tone will lose the treble and the volume will, again, decrease.