FLUTE SPA

With TIPS OF THE DAY

Flute Alignment

Flute Alignment

• Center of the embouchure hole with the center of the D, E, F keys. Check this by looking down the flute from the footjoint end.

• Adjust footjoint so when you slide your right pinky over, it closes the fingering for low C.

• Pull out ¼ inch checking to be sure that C1 and C2, C#1 and C#2, D1 and D1 are in tune.

Setting the Hand - Right

• Right Hand • Make a fist • The hand rotates around the middle finger. • Place the right hand middle finger on the E key and

then set the other fingers before bringing the right hand thumb to the backside of the tube.

• The fingers move from the 3rd knuckle back from the nail.

• The knuckles should be the same height as the keys.

Setting the Hand - Left

• Left hand • Make a fist • Place middle finger on the A key. • Position other fingers • Turn flute over letting the flute rest on your finger tips. • Bring the left knuckle to the flute • Drop the thumb into position. The crease in the left

thumb will be at the bottom of the key. The thumb is played straight and pointed to the ceiling.

Tip

• Rather than thinking “Hold the flute,” • Think “Balance the flute.”

FLUTE MAT

Flute Mat, Part 2

Your Feet: Homage to Pahud

• Stand 30 inches back from music stand • Place left foot at 12:00 and right foot at 3:00 • The zipper in your pants will be 45 degrees to

right from the music stand • Place your nose on the G# key (not paddle) • Bring flute 6 inches away from your face • Turn your head to the left • Rotate the flute into your chin • The end of the flute should be in front of your

nose.

Tip

• Hang your arms as well as your jaw. • The head balances on the spine. • Nod your head several times before you play.

HARMONICS

• Right hand on the barrel • Slur G1 to G2 and overblow to D3 • 6 Vibrato cycles per note • Hang the arms • Repeat on Ab, A, Bb, B, C, C#

Tip

Every time you pick up your flute, play some harmonics to remind yourself how your flute overblows.

Left Hand G Scale

• Right hand on the barrel, Slur • G2, A2, B2, C3 • And then overblow G1, A1, B1, C2 • To play D3, E3, F#3, G

Tip

Learning to play the left hand G scale will help your sound. Plug it into your practice session every three to five minutes. This is called “Random Practicing.” In a week, you will be amazed at your sound.

A Different Way to Think of Top Octave Fingerings

• The left fingers spell B, A, G • The right fingers spell F, E, D • When jumping an octave, think which finger

(s) move.

Balance of Trills

• In ¾, trill two counts, rest one count (chunking) F2 to G2 E2 to A2 D2 to B2 Remember: the motion comes from the third knuckle back from the nail. Repeat until your fingers feel free and light.

Tip

• As you are playing each eighth-note in the Octave Variations, think about creating a perfect attack and release. Remember the tongue releases the air.

• Thi, thi, thi. • Key, key, key.

Tip

• The more harmonic work you do, the better your embouchure will be. You want strength as well as flexibility.

• Build a memory of where your lips are for each note you play.

Chunking

• Chunk by inch. • Decide whether you are going to play

down/up or forward flow. • Ideas that begin on the beat are usually

down/up • Ideas that begin off the beat are usually

forward flow. • Eventually you will combine the down/up

gesture with one long forward flow.

Tip

• When “Blooming the Tone,” always use vibrato. Playing with measured or counted vibrato helps you learn to subdivide and makes your fingers articulate.

• Do not let the vibrato stop when you change notes. The vibrato should be a separate entity from finger movement.

This presentation will be available at www.fabulousflute.com sometime very soon after the convention. Comments/questions: georgeflute@hotmail.com editor@flutetalkmagazine.com