Practicing Flutist is Getting an Upgrade!

Hey all you Practicing Flutists! Hope you are practicing well! Just wanted to let you all know that the Practicing Flutist site will be going through a thorough revamping and upgrade. There will be more posting, more practicing, more of everything flute, so hope you are on board with that! For more Practicing Fllutist goodness,Continue reading “Practicing Flutist is Getting an Upgrade!”

Advantages and Disadvantages of Improving Your Sense of Intonation

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”

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”

Perfection or Progress, Which Should We Strive For?

Musicians spend endless hours practicing, but what are we practicing for? In the constant drive to be better, faster, more musical, more in tune, more accurate, more correct, is perfection or progress what we should be striving for? Of course I believe in rigorous technique practice. I do the usual scales, arpeggios, and all mannerContinue reading “Perfection or Progress, Which Should We Strive For?”

What I’m Learning From Bodymapping Lessons

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”

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 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”

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”