Blog for Flutists and Composers
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Circular Breathing on the Modern Flute
This entry is cross posted on the musikFabrik blog In 1992, while in residence at the Banff Centre, Canada, I spent eleven weeks learning to circular breathe so that I could perform Flames Must Not Encircle Sides by Robert Dick. I figured if I could do it at 1.500 meters (ca. 5000 feet) above sea…
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Tongue Pizzicato
A question came up on the Flute List about how to produce tongue pizzicato effectively. Here is a link to a video where I demonstrate this effect (along with other percussive effects and air sounds). This is the notation I prefer for tongue pizzicato To get a good POP, you have to close off your…
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Air & Percussive Sounds for the Flute
This entry is cross posted on the musikFabrik blog This video gives a brief demonstration of some common air sounds and percussive effects on the flute. Here are some further tips for players and composers: For players, when doing air sounds, it is not always necessary to use as much air as possible. After a…
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Finger Exercises Based on Tai Chi
This entry is cross posted on the musikFabrik blog Anyone who works with their hands can benefit from the energy flow these exercises provide. I am no expert or student of Tai Chi, but I have had to work a lot at injury prevention. You can do them at the beginning of your warm…
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Bring in the Clones
Read an interview by almost any famous flute teacher today from our Western culture and you will notice they share similar ideals. The development of a student’s individuality is given high priority. Their students are encouraged to find their own musical identities; they don’t want clones or sound-alikes. Nor do I. But what I’m about…
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Stockhausen in Adorjan’s Lexicon
When I came across the entry for Karlheinz Stockhausen in Andras Adorjan’s Lexicon der Flöte (Page 754), the elements of this blog entry started brewing. Let’s see if I can form a coherent thought or two. First of all, here is the German text: Gegen Ende der 1970er Jahre wurden die Aufführungen mehr und mehr…
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Gaudeamus Interpreter’s Competition
Here are, I hope, some useful ideas for those wanting to make a program for the Gaudeamus Interpreter’s Competition in Holland. Bear in mind I took part in 1996, and things may have changed, but the basis of putting together a successful program remain true for all competitions. This competition has a different jury every…
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Piccolo Pickles
Here’s a comparison photo of three piccolos: (left) a Pearl Grenadite, (center) a Philipp Hammig with an August Richard Hammig headjoint, and (right) an Anton Braun. The photo is pretty bad and overexposed, but you can see the difference in length and taper. Notice that although each piccolo was built to A= 442 specs, that…