VIDEO: What better piece to listen to in January than the contemporary flute solo Winter Spirits. With Christmas tunes well behind us, this piece draws upon a very different sound world.
Tag Archives: guide
About the flute
The flute can turn air into many different, mesmerising sounds. Unlike reed instruments, there is no resistance for the player to blow against, the player themselves bends and shapes the air to create their best tone. It is hardly surprising that the flute has a special place in mythology, most notably the Greek God Pan (the subject of much music, including solo flute piece, Debussy’s Syrinx).
A Musical Timeline
Music History at a glance with an increasing number of links to biographies and composer information (including what they did for the flute)
Sight reading…
… it’s not as scary as you think! Every time you learn a new piece of music you are sight reading – teachers and students shouldn’t treat it as an intense part of the exam there’s no way to prepare for Prepare in advance: Yes you can practise sight reading. Whether this is with piecesContinue reading “Sight reading…”
Playing with others
There are different skills and attitudes for chamber groups and orchestras, but it is worth thinking about how you play with other people, no matter how many there are.
Articulation on the flute
Articulation – coordination, technique, troubleshooting, double tonguing, triple tonguing, clarity, common problems…
Performance directions – basic music terms
Specific music terms are used by composers to direct performers. It tells us their intention and an idea of the mood or style to perform it in.
A beginner’s guide to basic music terms and their interpretation.
Masterclass Survival Tips
Masterclasses are a fantastic way of gaining performance experience and feedback, however they can be intimidating! Here is a little guide to make the most of your first masterclass and go in with confidence: Choose music that you can play to performance level, unless a work in progress is asked for. Now is not theContinue reading “Masterclass Survival Tips”
Debussy’s Syrinx
This short impressionist piece has won the hearts of many flautists over the years. Maybe it is due to the lack of technical obstacles or the amount of space for interpretation. Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that Syrinx uses the flute to paint a beautiful picture. The piece reflects greek mythology and theContinue reading “Debussy’s Syrinx”
Jessamy Robinson 