I’ve recently begun taking bodymapping lessons and after only a few sessions, I’ve learned that I didn’t understand nearly as much about how the body works as I thought I did. I’ve struggled with physical limitations that affected my playing since my early twenties. Pain, numbness, tension, impaired function, etc. led me to work hardContinue reading “What I’m Learning From Bodymapping Lessons”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
What If It All Started With the Flute?
Imagine if the invention of the flute was the first step to the invention of computers? Musicians know that musical activities can inspire great ideas in other fields. Steven Johnson, writer and researcher on the history of innovation, presents an entertaining and informative video describing how the invention of the flute 40,000 years ago canContinue reading “What If It All Started With the Flute?”
Practicing Flutist Tshirt Sidehustle
In case you didn’t know, I have a sidehustle that includes designing Tshirts. And surprise, surprise, many of them have musical themes. Might be a little weird, but it’s fun. It’s even more fun with people like them and buy them, makes me feel like I’m making a connection with them. Below are links to myContinue reading “Practicing Flutist Tshirt Sidehustle”
Inspired by Pentatonix
I believe that much inspiration can be gained by listening to and watching the performances of excellent musicians, whether they perform Classical or pop, are instrumentalists or singers. One of my favorites to listen to and watch is the acapella group Pentatonix. Especially at this time of year, I find listening to Pentatonix, and watching theirContinue reading “Inspired by Pentatonix”
Intonation Naivete; Be Kind to Your Listener’s Ears
When I was young and naïve, I liked to program unaccompanied pieces, because I thought that I didn’t have to pay as much attention to intonation. If there was no other instrument to compare my pitch to, nobody would notice if I was a little (or a lot!!) flat on the low notes orContinue reading “Intonation Naivete; Be Kind to Your Listener’s Ears”
How You Should Use an Electronic Tuner or Tuner App
Electronic tuners or tuner apps have become required tools for musicians who are serious about playing well in tune. But how do they work and how do you use them effectively? First thing you need to know in order to use a tuner effectively is that it will not actually tell you whether you areContinue reading “How You Should Use an Electronic Tuner or Tuner App”
Practicing Flutist’s Quick Fix for Sharp C#’s
For most flutists, the C#/Db in the staff is the bane of their musical existence. The timbre is often rough and airy in addition to being so extremely sharp that conventional means of adjusting the pitch have little or no effect. The prospect of having to manage this unruly note in performance of Debussy’s “AfternoonContinue reading “Practicing Flutist’s Quick Fix for Sharp C#’s”
The Intonation is Good, Except . . .
It makes me crazy to listen to performing groups that don’t play with good intonation! It’s not that I have perfect pitch, far from it, but I have developed the ability to tell when people are playing out of tune. I conduct an adult flute choir and from the beginning we’ve worked very hard atContinue reading “The Intonation is Good, Except . . .”
Articulation Inspiration
Every year at the Florida Flute Association Convention I see or hear something that inspires me, something that I try to integrate into my own playing or musical philosophy. This year I was so busy with presenting a teaching session, conducting a flute choir performance, and giving a performance presentation, that I feel like IContinue reading “Articulation Inspiration”
Intonation in Action Coming Up!
It has been forever since my last post, but I have been productive in the meantime and more will be appearing here. I’m conducting two flute choirs now and the orchestra I play in has started up again, so I’ve been trying to balance all that while not overextending myself TOO much. So, the FloridaContinue reading “Intonation in Action Coming Up!”