The other day I was thinking about the advantages of improving your sense of intonation, the ability to hear and respond to pitch fluctuations, and it occurred to me that there were also some disadvantages (yes, I said disadvantages) that go along with it. Here is my list of 5 advantages followed by my listContinue reading “Advantages and Disadvantages of Improving Your Sense of Intonation”
Tag Archives: flute practice tips
The Number One Thing You Can do to Practice Better
What is the number one thing you can do to practice better? The one technique or strategy you can use to correct mistakes or even out bumpy passages? It is something really simple, as are most suggestions I try to bring to you. If you don’t already do this, you should try it. It isContinue reading “The Number One Thing You Can do to Practice Better”
Flute Swabs
Are you swabbing out your flute before you put it away? Hopefully so, it is critical that you keep your flute clean inside and out. But what are you using to swab out your flute? I advocate using a simple, 100% cotton handkerchief or bandanna. They are absorbant and nonabrasive, readily available and inexpensive. CottonContinue reading “Flute Swabs”
Language is important
Whether we are talking with teachers or students, fellow musicians, conductors, etc. we are constantly talking about playing. The language that we use is extremely important to how we think and feel about playing. I’m not talking about terminology here; what I’m talking about is much more subjective. The words we use when talking aboutContinue reading “Language is important”
Practice What You Don’t Know First
Practice what you don’t know first and most. Seems obvious, doesn’t it? It is all too easy to start our practice with what is most familiar and comfortable. But that does not help us conquer what is difficult and uncomfortable. Especially when we have limited practice time and are overwhelmed by what we feel weContinue reading “Practice What You Don’t Know First”
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”
Intonation in Action Exercise
In my mission to help people improve their intonation, I’ve had to come up with exercises that people can do in their own practice. Once I’ve convinced players that notes need to be adjusted according to their context in the music, regardless of what any tuner’s meter says, it helps to have exercises to backContinue reading “Intonation in Action Exercise”
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”
Developing effective dynamics in the flute choir
This season the music my flute choir is working is filled with dynamic effects. Some are simple and straightforward, others include big, quick changes. All of them need to be done cleanly and provide big impact. Wishy washy dynamic changes will be worse than none at all. I have made plans for developing these inContinue reading “Developing effective dynamics in the flute choir”
Try Gary Schocker’s trick of using a wine cork to improve flute tone
I’ve been concentrating on improving my tone lately, and came across these videos from Gary Schocker. He demonstrates how he used a wine cork to develop and improve his sound. It sounds totally off-the-wall, but it makes good sense! And since Schocker does have a glorious sound and amazing air management, this technique must beContinue reading “Try Gary Schocker’s trick of using a wine cork to improve flute tone”