I have to admit, I have been ensnared by Sheryl Sandberg’s book, ‘Lean In,’ and the movement inspired by it. But while it is about women and how they are being held back and are holding themselves back, I found a lot of similarities to my own experiences, not only as female, but as aContinue reading “Leaning In for Musicians”
Tag Archives: flutist with a day job
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”
Intonation Book Update, it’s on Amazon.com!
Just a quick update: my practice book is now formatted for eReaders and can be purchased through the Kindle store at Amazon.com. The content is the same as the PDF version I launched earlier, but formatted specifically for Kindle eReaders. Soon it will also be available through several other outlets such as the iBooks store,Continue reading “Intonation Book Update, it’s on Amazon.com!”
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”
Inspiring greatness
I was sitting in orchestra rehearsal last week, looking around at all the different people, and thinking about what makes a great musician ‘great.’ Everyone in the orchestra tries hard to play well, to get the notes and entrances right, to satisfy the wishes and directions of the conductor, but probably no one in theContinue reading “Inspiring greatness”
Musical Craft Project
I just finished cutting and pasting the second flute and picc parts for our next orchestra concert. It took about three hours to go through each part, deciding which passages on each instrument were most needed to convey the musical intentions of the composer. Quite presumptuous of me, don’t you think! I haven’t done anythingContinue reading “Musical Craft Project”
Christmas in August, and September, and ….
I’m planning the winter concert for the flute choir that I conduct and listening to CD after CD of Christmas music. You’d think this would be the easiest concert to plan, everyone loves Christmas, right? But who wants to rehearse it for three months!!! I’m trying to put together a program that is about halfContinue reading “Christmas in August, and September, and ….”
Getting paid to play!
Wow! Got my first check from performing with the Sun Shore Symphony Orchestra. It’s not a big check, but it is nice to get paid to play for a change. There are lots of volunteer groups around here, which makes it harder for the people who want and need to get paid for playing. IContinue reading “Getting paid to play!”
Rehearsal Flutist Syndrome
Wow, I’ve been so busy these last couple of weeks, again, that I’m beginning to feel like a weekend warrior. You know, one of those people who go all out on weekends or during the once a week practice session for whatever sports league they play in while the rest of the week they sitContinue reading “Rehearsal Flutist Syndrome”