Blog for Flutists and Composers
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Writing Harmonics for Flute – when is a harmonic not a harmonic?
Harmonics (also called overtones or flageolets) are great! I love playing them, but I want to mention several issues when writing them for flute, piccolo, alto flute or bass flute. The most prevalent mistake is writing harmonics that are too low. The following notes cannot be written as harmonics: The above notes can only be…
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Summer in the Back Seat
This summer has been wild. I’ve had no proper vacation, yet have had a lot of quality family time. Musically it’s been rich, but as far as teaching, I have given up my job at the Conservatory of Bremen. Although it is not a financial blow, it will make my musical life poorer indeed. I…
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Tongue Trippin’ in Munich 3 – a Quetzalcoatlus Dances
When you perform a theatrical piece like Stockhausen’s Zungenspitzentanz for the first time, you may have that need of, just, please, one more rehearsal, one more run-through, just so I don’t mess this up! Immediately after that first performance you may still want to ask: Could I just try that again? Now? At least that…
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Tongue Trippen’ in Munich 2
If I were to write my memoirs, I would refer to this summer as the Siberian Summer. It is astonishingly cold here in Munich; however, our tiny hotel room accommodates us well, and we keep each other warm. On stage, with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the spotlights blaze and the astonishing playing, especially from…
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Tongue Trippin’ in Munich
This is the first of what I hope to be a series of entries about my preparation for Zungenspitzentanz in the Munich Biennale with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra . Bear with me, I am typing with my thumbs, a technique I have yet to master. My biggest help has been this Smart phone, which…
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Bass and Alto Flute Resource – a gold mine
I want to share with you two websites by Carla Reese that just about say it all when it comes to composing for alto or bass flute. Alto Flute Bass Flute What I appreciate are her explanations about the dynamic capabilities and limitations of these flutes. I am often frustrated by composers who write ensemble…
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Should I Study Flute with Karl Marx?
The short answer is no. Dialectical materialism* has no place in the music room. The long answer is more complicated. I am no expert on the works of Marx, and realize I am using his image for exaggerated effect. My real argument is anti-materialist and I could have just as easily picked on the Bourgeoisie.…
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Some thoughts on composing jet whistles
Jet Whistles on the flute can be amazingly effective, but one has to compose them with care. You can hear a sound file here on Mats Möller’s website. He calls it “Strong air stream without tone”. Two composers who use jet whistles effectively in ensemble situations are Helmut Lachenmann (Mouvement, Zwei Gefühle) and Bernhard Lang…