Flutist Gifts for Yourself or Others
March 25, 2012 at 4:15 pmCategory:FluteShop
Found a new source for cool gifts for yourself or your flute friends!
\
Browse other gifts from Zazzle.
Intonation is Relative
March 23, 2012 at 8:33 pmCategory:Practicing the Flute
I am constantly surprised at how differently I approach intonation practice than so many other people. I was in a flute choir rehearsal last week and the director was working on a passage where the intonation was not working. She was working on just 3 notes that a section had to play, D3-F3-D3. They got the first two notes going pretty well, but they could not come back to the second D3 from the F3. I made a remark to myself that the problem was not the notes themselves, it was that the descending interval was not the same size as the ascending interval. The flutist next to me heard and said something like “Wow, you really analyzed that on a different level!”
I do not have such great ears that I was hearing what each player was doing. It only makes sense that if they can play D3-F3 with and be in tune with each other and don’t get back to the D3 together, they have done something differently. The second D3 is different from the first and the second interval is a different size than the first.
To me, this is part of learning to play in tune, not so much that the individual notes are at the ‘correct’ frequency, but that the intervals are the proper size. Start by not stretching the octaves, don’t go sharper as you ascend or flatter as you descend. All D’s are proportional to each other, make them sound that way. Same for all E’s, F’s, C#’s, etc. So simple, so difficult, and so necessary. If the director had told the section to play the second D3 the same as the first, it could have been a much simpler fix, rather than saying ‘you are sharp and you are flat’ etc. Intonation is relative. Start from note and tune every other note in relation to that one.
Flutes for sale! Among other things . . .
February 11, 2012 at 3:43 pmCategory:Uncategorized
I just got back from an auction for a local music store that is closing up shop. There were all kinds of things there, guitars, band instruments, amps, rainsticks (so cool!), etc. I went to check it out and see if there were any alto or bass flutes, pennywhistles, music or electronic gizmos that I could use.
In the flute category it was a sore disappointment. All the flutes were ancient, already used and abused when the store acquired them. Besides being ancient, they were all lower quality or no-quality brands. They would all have required work to make them decently playable. I toyed with the idea of buying some if they went cheaply enough and donating them to someplace that has a real need for them, but that would have taken more money and time than I have to make them usable. Besides, they were really bad! The kind of bad that makes you cringe when a student walks in the door with one, even before the case is opened. The kind of bad that makes you think “This flute would make a nice lamp or something!”
What surprised and intrigued me was a man and woman who were staking a claim on them along with some clarinets (which were also pretty scary). She was really jazzed about them, but it was clear that she wasn’t a music store owner or a flutist. I wanted to ask her what was exciting her so much about these decrepit instruments, but I stayed out of the way as she hunted and gathered. Then it occurred to me that she was possibly an online seller, somebody that sees these things solely as commodities, but has little real knowledge of them, ready to resell them to unsuspecting people looking for a deal or needing a break on getting an instrument for their kid. The kind of reseller that might shine the flute up a little, and sell it for $100 or so, but bears no responsibility as to whether the flute actually plays or not.
Maybe this is harsh, but I have seen plenty of ads, placed by resellers that have no idea what they are selling, and are just trying to make some money and move on. The ads sound so good but once an actual brand name is mentioned or a picture is posted, it is clear that the product does not match the hype. I hate the thought of unknowledgeable people being taken advantage this way, I think it sours their musical experience and that is unforgivable. Sure there are lots of stories of a treasure that was found at a pawn shop, which is what I was hoping for today, but instead I only found disappointment and opportunism. I hope I’m wrong.
Back from the Flute Fair! Amazing!
January 30, 2012 at 7:44 pmCategory:Flute Life
I’m back home from the 2012 Florida Flute Fair and I think I can say that a good time was had by all. A whole weekend of flute immersion, what a wonderful thing! We are so lucky to have this terrific event here every year.
My presentation, Cyberflute: Navigating the Internet was well-attended and went pretty well. The audience was terrific and it was an enjoyable session. I’ll have to figure out how to make the handouts available for those of you who are interested. The rest of the program was packed with great performances and presentations, including a terrific concert by this year’s headliner Carol Wincenc. She also gave a wonderful session on getting warmed up to play. The attitude of the audience was also quite impressive. At least 95% of the audience participated eagerly. It was an amazing experience to have about 100 flutists all doing the physical exercises and long tones together. We made all kinds of noises and funny faces as we prepared to sing through our flutes, figuratively and literally. I am sure that everyone there benefited from her excellent advice and amazingly positive and encouraging manner. I can’t use the word ‘amazing’ enough!
Here is a link to the program: http://www.floridaflute.org/FFA2012ConventionScheduleGuide.pdf. I can’t wait for next year, if you are nearby next year, you should check it out!
Building the Flute Choir
January 24, 2012 at 1:33 pmCategory:Flute Life
I’ve been working on organizing and building a new flute choir, the Tampa Bay Flute Choir. Luckily I have a great partner in this venture, Judy. I would never attempt it alone! I’m directing and she’s managing and it has been a great adventure so far.
We’ve got a good start with music after taking advantage of the ALRY liquidation sale. Attracting high quality players is a challenge, need to be more active on that front. We don’t want to sound uppity or snobby, but we do want players who want to and can play challenging music. There are plenty of all-inclusive groups here, but we believe that there is room for a more elite group as well. As conductor, I also don’t want to be in teacher mode all the time, though it is hard not to be!
It really is quite the adventure. Today I found myself looking for books on conducting and wishing I had kept my texts from college. Who knew I would need them all this time later? Anyway I’m loving it and hope everyone else is, too. That is really what matters. I think we’ll put on a good debut concert and be off and running. Then who knows what the future will bring from there? Hopefully good flute music, at least!