My air conditioner is on the fritz, it is about ninety degrees in here, and now that it has rained, the humidity is close to one hundred percent. The air is so heavy that it feels like I am trying to breathe underwater. The lip plate slides all over my chin as I struggle toContinue reading “It’s hot in here!”
Tag Archives: flute
Cats and Flutes
I’ve noticed that many flute people are also cat people. I have always had cats and I seem to know more flute people with cats than with dogs. Maybe this is just my experience, but I wonder if there is something to it. Cats do seem to make good musical companions because they are usuallyContinue reading “Cats and Flutes”
Flute Tip of the Week: Headjoint Upgrade
Next week is the National Flute Association’s yearly convention and many attendees will be spending time at the flute vendors’ booths, trying out all the newest and coolest the flute makers have to offer. For those of you thinking you might like to upgrade your flute, but don’t have the budget to buy a newContinue reading “Flute Tip of the Week: Headjoint Upgrade”
Flute Treats: Bolero Flash Mob
This is such a cool thing! Imagine, a whole orchestra drifting in to a busy transit station, performing Ravel’s Bolero, and then quietly drifting out again. Take a look! The Bolero is the perfect kind of piece for this kind of thing, since it starts out with one lone musician, gradually adding instruments as theContinue reading “Flute Treats: Bolero Flash Mob”
Flute Tip of the Week – Stand Lights
There are lots of stand lights on the market meant to serve a variety of uses, but if you don’t use one very often, investing in a pricey accessory may not be what you want to do. Or maybe you need something RIGHT NOW and don’t have time to shop for or order a fancy,Continue reading “Flute Tip of the Week – Stand Lights”
Flute Practice and Technology
There has been a little controversy raging on Flute List lately regarding approaches to flute technique, specifically tone production and intonation. Some contributors are very scientific in their approach and others are not, and I think the science-oriented people got a little offended by some comments that may have made it sound like they wereContinue reading “Flute Practice and Technology”
FluteShop – Fun Flute Designs
Have to promote my own stuff a little here. Check it out and see if there is anything you like! Make Custom Gifts at CafePress
Flute Tip of the Week – Use Your Flute Handles
Putting your flute together properly is one the first things you should learn as a beginning flute student, but it is surprising how many of us are not nearly as conscientious about putting together and taking apart our instruments as we should be. We need to use our “Flute Handles”! Believe it or not thisContinue reading “Flute Tip of the Week – Use Your Flute Handles”
A Different Flute Breathing Exercise
Lately I’ve been working on a new breathing exercise that has made a big difference for me. The goal is to learn to breathe in quickly and quietly so you can take a breath whenever you need it instead of whenever it’s convenient. While this idea is not new to me (Alex Murray advocates takingContinue reading “A Different Flute Breathing Exercise”
Flute Tip of the Week
Everything is a tone exercise! Always practice with the best tone you can produce. Practicing with anything less than your best tone only reinforces bad habits and makes it more difficult to produce a great tone when it really counts!