3 Tips for Playing Low D on the Irish Flute

One of the questions I am asked most often is how to play that powerful, gritty, dark low D that is so emblematic of Irish traditional flute playing. This is an excellent question, as low D is both the pride and joy of many flute players while also remaining an elusive and tricky beast. 

When done correctly, a good low D (sometimes called a "hard D") is filled with overtones and has great bark and bite. When I hear a low D, I personally see the deep green of a pine forest: it is richly complex in color and has the potential for both sunny highlights and deep shadow. 

In my experience as both teacher and player, three tips in particular can help Irish flutists achieve a great low D.

Before we get started, here is the fingering for low D on both Boehm (classical) and simple system (Irish) flute:

Low D on Boehm Flute:

X X X | X X X o

o X

Low D on Simple System Flute:

X X X | X X X

Tip 1: Focus with The Upper Lip

Cracking into the upper octave is a common problem with low D. Although low D should be filled with overtones, aiming for these overtones without making any adjustments to the upper lip can result in overshooting into the higher octave. Maintaining a focused airstream by pressing the upper lip downwards onto the airstream can prevent this cracking from occurring. 

If this is a new concept and it feels difficult identifying which muscles to use, try pressing your finger against the groove in your upper lip. This is the spot you want to engage. You can also think about elongating your nose downwards towards your lip, as though you are scornfully looking down your nose at somebody. This motion naturally engages the upper lip muscles that are most helpful when playing low D.

Remember that if these are new muscles in your playing, they will get tired easily. Be sure to practice slowly and take lots of breaks. 

Tip 2: Direct with The Lower Jaw

We can assist this more focused airstream by using our lower jaw—a powerful and often underutilized tool— to direct air downwards into the flute. A lowered airstream is another important component to playing a strong low D without cracking into the upper octave. 

In order to do this, drop your lower jaw open and move it back into your neck, as though you are trying to tactfully swallow a yawn. This motion will quite effectively drop your airstream down towards the floor. You can test this by blowing air into your hand with your usual embouchure and jaw configuration, then without stopping your airstream, dropping your lower jaw open and backwards. You should feel your airstream drop towards the floor. Directing your airstream in this way is a great help when playing low D.

Tip 3: Propel with The Abdomen

Low Ds are often played with great volume and energy. Strong abdominal engagement is therefore critical to propelling your newly focused and redirected airstream with the necessary force. To propel a strong airstream, flutists need to not only pay attention to their exhalations, but their inhalations as well. It is very difficult to breathe out with the requisite energy and force if the associated inhalation does not also meet these requirements. 

Practice breathing in on a silent "oh" or "ho" syllable. Doing so opens the throat and abdomen, filling the lungs with a powerful inhalation. This is like opening a fireplace bellows. 

Now practice exhaling that air by playing a series of notes begun with "ha" articulations, as though you are expelling air from your fireplace bellows with a series of short, sharp compressions. These articulations should be felt in your abdomen and are very helpful in encouraging the strong and supportive airstream needed to play low D.

Next Steps

While mastering a good low D is undoubtedly a question of patience and consistent practice, understanding and implementing these three tips will be a significant help on that journey. If you concentrate on focusing with the upper lip, directing with the lower jaw, and propelling with the abdomen, you will soon begin to hear a great low D in your playing.

For more information and additional exercises that tackle low D, check out my Irish flute method book, Playing Outside the Lines, Volume I, now available from Mel Bay Publications.