Recently I had a student email me and ask: “What are long tones? I know you recommend them to use in my warm-ups each day but I’m not sure exactly what they are.” First of all, I am so happy that a student asked me this question, because I consider long tones to be an essential part of warming up and how can someone use them to warm up if they don’t know what they …
How to use a music stand for flutists “I just received a new music stand. Can you tell me how high I should position it?” is a question I received this week which sparked this article on how to use a music stand for flutists. Flute players are a bit unique since it is best if we practice and perform both standing instead of sitting. I understand that it’s possible that you may be learning …
How to use a metronome is an interesting subject, and a very important one at that. When we flute players graduate from blowing our lips off to get those first few tones, using a metronome is probably very far from our minds. Learning how to use a metronome in the earlier stages of flute playing will really help our chances of becoming a well-versed musician. So, the sooner you can get one in your hands …
I was asked about how the brain creates memory links with the pieces we are playing, and what that means for learning how to remember music even better. Some people call this practicing When we practice our flute it’s best if we have mapped out the special skills or parts that need the most help. I talk about ‘repetition’ quite often in my teaching. This isn’t a concept I made up.. it’s called practicing. The …
Alright! Your big day has finally come! All of the hard work you have been doing is about to pay off. Its performance time, and you have butterflies spinning all over your stomach. You tighten your grip on your flute and find that it feels cold and slippery to the touch. Oh boy…..here we go….. Whether its performing in front of family friends, or at large concert somewhere, having the spotlight on you can be …
There is a time in every musician’s life when they really just want to be better than they are. It happens to everyone. There seems to be an sixth sense in a flute-player’s bones that is always striving to be better. This article will help you get your flute playing to the next level. Perhaps you are a newer or returning musician and really working on your flute-playing skills right now. You may find that …
3 tips for getting your flute playing to the next level Read More »
Tips for Finding Time to Practice Your Flute It can be really hard to fit everything in one day, it’s liked doing a juggling act! And the older we get, the busier we become. As the saying goes, “You’ll never have as much time as you have right now”. But here are some principles of practicing to remember as you are planning your day: *Try to practice every day. It doesn’t have to be a …
This article will help you to get that timing performing on the flute right on so there isn’t any confusion or frustrating spots. In short, you’ll be able to have a wonderful experience performing.
Have you ever been playing a beautiful flute piece that you’ve worked so hard and so long on and then mess up in the same spot over and over again? Did you find yourself missing the same notes or rhythms over and over and over again in your practice time? We’ve all been there. Don’t worry. Usually those spots are the same spots that lots of people miss! I call them a practice spot. Knowing …
Since I teach flute students of all ages I felt it important to point out how practicing the flute can ward of dementia in the later days of life. It may not cure dementia, but it can definitely help. Many people across the world are suffering from dementia, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Doctors and Researchers are doing their best on trying to find a cure for these diseases. Many of the researchers are figuring out, …