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”
Tag Archives: tip of the week
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”
Nina Perlove and Jaw Movement
I just had to share this. Nina has a lot of great ideas and is a very good teacher. She also makes some fun videos. This one mixes teaching and humor, so enjoy!
Calming Pre-Concert Nerves
Before our flute choir concerts, I like to do a calming exercise with the group so they can play with more relaxed bodies and clearer mental focus. It is a simple breathing exercise that has had good results so far. I have them breathe in through their noses for a slow count of 4, thenContinue reading “Calming Pre-Concert Nerves”
Flute Tip of the Week: Protect your flute from your cats
For those of you with cats, you probably already know that they do not always mix. Here are a few things you can do to safeguard your flute from your beloved pets. 1. Cats have a tendency to want to knock things off shelves, desks, or tables so if you must leave your flute outContinue reading “Flute Tip of the Week: Protect your flute from your cats”
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 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”
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!