It has been a long time since I bought my current tuner (a Seiko Chromatic Auto-Tuner) so I thought I would browse around and see what’s available now. I found lots of tuners and a large range of prices. Unfortunately, what I see most are tuners that only read pitches, without an internal tone generatorContinue reading “Tuners, Tuners, Everywhere!”
Tag Archives: flute practice
Chasing the Tone
When I haven’t been practicing regularly, one of the things I tend to do is something I beg and plead students not to do. Simply put, I chase the notes with the airstream. I shoot the air up at high notes and dive down to scoop the low notes, drawing the shape of the melodyContinue reading “Chasing the Tone”
Thoughts on Conducting a Flute Choir
I’m just recovering from the most recent performance of the flute choir that I conduct, (the Tampa Bay Flute Choir). It was a lovely performance in front of a large, enthusiastic audience. It could hardly have gone better! I have to admit that I was VERY, nervous going into the performance, almost unreasonably so. IContinue reading “Thoughts on Conducting a Flute Choir”
Flute Practice Epiphany 1
I think one of the benefits of getting older is that I have had the opportunity to hear many different ideas and perspectives on flute practice. Every once in awhile one of these ideas will spark an epiphany, a little bolt of intellectual lightning that lights up my brain. The solution to a problem suddenlyContinue reading “Flute Practice Epiphany 1”
practice vs rehearsal
I believe that words have power. Whether I’m teaching or coaching or practicing on my own, I try to use words to communicate my meaning clearly and positively and to evoke the most productive images possible. What does this have to do with ‘practice vs rehearsal?’ While on a break from orchestra rehearsal this weekContinue reading “practice vs rehearsal”
Amazing Harmonic and Multiphonic Exercises
I’m doing it again, pointing you away from here to what someone else has done. Of course, when someone else has done something fantastic, there is no reason to keep it to yourself. I’ve followed Helen Bledsoe’s comments on Flute List with interest, but I had no idea that she had put together such fantasticContinue reading “Amazing Harmonic and Multiphonic Exercises”
Wouter Kellerman, wow!
Sorry to be just posting links to what other flutists are doing rather than writing pithy, insightful posts all the time, but this guy just blows me away. He is a wonderful example of a complete musician, he has amazing technique, terrific creativity, and wonderfully engaging musicianship. Since I first heard about him earlier thisContinue reading “Wouter Kellerman, wow!”
Practical Intonation Practice Manifesto
Practical Intonation Practice Manifesto 1. Everything is a tone exercise. Always use the best tone production possible! Good intonation and good tone go hand in hand. 2. Don’t rush. Give yourself plenty of time to hear the sounds you are producing so you can determine if any changes need to be made. Pay attention toContinue reading “Practical Intonation Practice Manifesto”
Phoning it in: Practice apps for Smart Phones
It’s amazing what smart phones can do! They not only relay phone calls and email, text messages and Facebook updates, they can also make practicing better and easier. I’ve had a metronome app for awhile (an Android app, nothing against iPhone, just my carrier doesn’t support them) and have enjoyed it immensely. I had beenContinue reading “Phoning it in: Practice apps for Smart Phones”
Tanked Audition
I am still recovering from a badly botched audition that I took for a local orchestra. I thought I was relatively well prepared, though I hadn’t practiced that much. I admit, I was relying on previous experience and practice to get me through, but I was still shocked at what happened. It was like aliensContinue reading “Tanked Audition”