vibrations

While working with an older flutist who was hearing impaired, I began to wonder how one might manage tone color, intonation, and sound production when higher frequencies are not detectable.  Then I realized that you can feel vibrations in your fingers as you play. Begin by inserting ear plugs. Then practice low d, c sharp, c, and b, over and over until the feeling of vibrations is obvious. Experiment with how much and how little vibration you feel in the fingers. The more you feel, the more complex the sound. This can be a useful tool when playing in loud orchestral settings.