Muscles That Act On Shoulders, Arms, Wrists and Fingers

Did you ever wonder what muscles get sore or tired if you over-practice? Maybe you can solve the mystery and even eliminate the over-use itself if you understand better how the muscles work.

http://www.getbodysmart.com/ap/muscularsystem/menu/menu.html
This website offers layered drawings, front and back, of rotator cuff and other muscles affecting the shoulder. You can add and remove layers by clicking your mouse. Animations of the muscles in use are also provided. Great body mapping information for shoulders, arms, forearms, wrists and fingers.

Very cool! Check it out!

(Muscles that act on head, face, & neck are due to be published at this site late 2009.)

Catherine

"Spit-buzzing" with Jerome Callet and Csaba Kelemen (Trumpet)

It appears that tongue-controlled embouchure guru (and author of Trumpet secrets, Volume 1) Jerome Callet uploaded this short demo featuring Csaba Kelemen, Associate Principal Trumpet of Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Germany, to Google Video on June 14.

Please visit Jerome's website for more information on his teaching and more previews from his soon to be released teaching DVD.

Great stuff!
Catherine

Keith Underwood and Jerome Callet Video

This video of Keith working on Bach Sonata in B Minor, BWV 1030, with tongue-controlled embouchure expert Jerome Callet. The focus of the session is articulating off the top of the tongue.

It appears that Jerome uploaded this to Google video.

Please visit Jerome's website for more information on his teaching and more previews from his soon to be released teaching DVD.

Great stuff!

Catherine

Helen Spielman Performance Anxiety Workshops

Dealing with stage fright in a class setting is ideal since you can practice in front of your classmates! I encourage you to attend one of Helen's workshops--whether before or during the National Flute Association Convention in Albuquerque in August 2007, or at another future workshop.

I attended Helen's workshop "Performance Anxiety from the Inside Out" at the Raleigh Area Flute Association's Flute Fair in November 2006. The information was well-organized and well-presented, sprinkled with personal anecdotes and warm humor. Each attendee went home with some personal strategies for taming their brain chatter.

Her one-hour presentation "Performance Anxiety from Inside Out" will take place at the NFA convention on Thursday August 9 at 3 pm.

In addition, she is giving a full day (10:00 am - 5:00 pm, with one hour break for lunch) pre-convention workshop entitled Performance Anxiety from Inside Out on Wednesday July 8 in a location within walking distance to the convention center.

Learn how to replace negative perceptions and behaviors with affirmative ones that heal and build confidence. If you struggle with stage fright, you can gradually silence the self-defeating patterns that block your music. Learn highly effective tools to transform yourself from a fearful to a joyful and free performer, able to play optimally and let your music soar.

To register for one of Helen's workshops or more information on Performance Anxiety from Inside Out visit Helen's website.

Kudos to Helen increasing public awareness of performance anxiety and possible avenues of relief by presenting workshops on this important subject.

Catherine

More on Overcoming Stage Fright: Jennifer Cluff's Fluteloops

Fluteloops03to05
&
Fluteloops Radio Shows 6 & 7

Wow! A five-segment series by Jennifer Cluff on her Flootloops Radio Shows on overcoming stage fright including interviews with leading authority Michael Goode (author of Stage Fright in Music Performance and Its Relationship to the Unconscious).

Topics discussed include: strategies for avoiding the negative effects of prior bad experiences; ways to overcome the behavior and energies of "psychic bullies"" in ensemble settings; the value of "flow"; and the power of intention in preparation and performance.

Episode 7 is Jennifer's excellent summary of the series and includes references to these additional valuable resources:

William Pleeth (Jacqueline du Pré's teacher) book Cello
reminds us that there is no point in practicing technique if the emotion of the music itself is not our primary intent.

Robert Caldwell: Performer Prepares, a long-term project for overcoming stage fright in workbook form --perhaps a good summer project?

Kenny Werner(jazz pianist): Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within

Thanks to Jennifer Cluff for putting this collection of resources together-- for reminding us we CAN be joyful and free in our music-making and we contribute to the well-being of our colleagues and audiences through our sincere efforts to perform in "flow." Thanks also for the bloopers which wonderfully illustrate the art of graceful recovery.

Catherine

Reposting of "Catherine's Musings" Blog entries here

In response to requests to have all blog entries in one place for Virtual Studio members, I have reposted all posts from the public blog here.

In the future, I will post entries for "Catherine's Musings" also in this blog for your convenience.

Let me know what else I cn do to improve your experience of using the LeGrand Virtual Studio.

Catherine

My New Website

I was prompted by the many questions I receive about my unconventional teaching techniques and exercises to create a website to efficiently share information and video examples with other flutists, wind and brass players, vocalists, and music educators.

The original idea for this website has morphed into a multifaceted site with a variety of free online resources on breathing, music performance and pedagogy, creativity, and flute-playing.

The site is also the new home for http://www.catherinelegrand.com where BreathBuilders and Rebreathing bags can be purchased.




The website publicly introduces the LeGrand Virtual Studio which offers two services via the Internet: 1) LeGrand Virtual Studio Subscription with video and audio podcast lessons, interactive blog and other resources, and 2) live, interactive coaching sessions via the Internet.

The first lessons I taught via Internet were in 2002, and from the very beginning it was a useful way to keep in touch with former students living on the other side of the world. The tools required to use this interactive service have become more widely available and more affordable.



At the website, I also invite you to visit me in the Studio, Classroom, or Concert Hall. The Library hosts numerous free resources, including articles and video demonstrations on using the Breath Builder and Rebreathing Bag, other video and audio podcasts, and useful links.

For a little inspiration visit the Gallery, subscribe to the blog, or spend some time exploring the Playground featuring links to a variety of interactive artistic activities for “kids of all ages.”














Be sure to check out the Musical Infirmary where you can learn about some common physical, mental and musical ailments affecting performance and practice: their symptoms, causes, suggested cures and preventative prescriptions. All with a huge dose of humor!

I hope you find this website useful and FUN and will visit me often in my new virtual space!

Have fun exploring!
Catherine

Flutist Robot #2 - ROBORAMA.info

Let's work on getting that breathing quieter! I wonder if he has heard of a finger breath?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dLBtpKn47o

Catherine

Flutist Robot - ROBORAMA.info

I wonder how accurate his Body Map is?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gap5bNh8Bs

I always considered it a bit rude to wear a hat during a performance, except when performing in costume or marching band.

Can't say much in favor of the robot's embouchure, either.

Enjoy!
Catherine

How to Assemble Your Flute (to avoid repairs)

Younger students who are away from the watchful eye of their teachers for a time this summer would do well to view this video by Jennifer Cluff on assembling the flute.

Hope this helps you avoid getting in bad habits that could damage your instrument, requiring expensive repairs.

Jennifer has posted lots of other useful articles and information at her site. www.jennifercluff.com

Best,
Catherine LeGrand

Roger S. Stevens: Artistic Flute Technique and Study (Embouchure Photos)

http://www.larrykrantz.com/embpic.htm

Artistic Flute Technique and Study
by Roger S. Stevens
Hollywood: Highland Music Company. (1967) pp.14-16
(currently out of print)

This page shows an assortment of embouchures which were found on excellent flutists' faces in the 1960's. The page can be viewed at Larry Krantz's site.

A copy of this book is in my studio library for those of you who might want to have a look at the "genuine article."

This historic document is often mentioned by Keith Underwood in his classes.

I believe it just shows there are a lot of ways to do something well, though I also believe that some ways are easier and more sustainable, long term, than others.

Catherine

Larry Krantz Flute Pages: Little Finger Exercises

Larry Krantz Flute Pages: Little Finger Exercises

Calling all flutists with collapsed or double jointed right pinky fingers!

These short video clips show good right pinky function.

The "Little Finger Circles" Exercise is the equivalent of a "tongue twister" for the right pinky.

Good right pinky function will improve instrument stability and technical facility.

Check it out!
Catherine

What is the Feldenkrais Method®?

"What is the Feldenkrais Method?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_i5QuIqcQo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.houfeldenkrais.com%2F

Good morning,

I have been talking a lot about the Alexander Technique as a way of exploring the mind-body connection. "AT," as it is commonly called, is not the only good approach to body learning and integration.

I first studied Feldenkrais in Cincinnati in the late 1970's with Fanchon Shur of Growth in Motion and have sporadically attended Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Classes since, most recently at the Feldenkrais Center of Houston.

Director of the Feldenkrais Center of Houston, MaryBeth Smith, MM, GCFP, has posted several short audio lessons--"Awareness Breaks."

I have found Feldenkrais helps me slow down my nervous system and pay deep, close attention to my body's wisdom.

I invite you to check it out!

Catherine

Keith Underwood Master Class Videos

BIG NEWS!
Keith gave me the go-ahead to post my "buzzing" lesson at the master class in Barnstable MA on 5.19.07 for you to watch in the Virtual Studio.

Other news:I have begun posting 2 versions of each video, one in Quicktime and one in wmv format. I will update the older postings to include a wmv version in the near future. Please let me know how the videos work for you.

I complied the important highlights of my Keith Underwood class lesson into Part 1 and Part 2, now posted in the Virtual Studio.

Hope this is helpful to everyone.

Technology is amazing...I am writing you from the Columbus, OH airport terminal. I wonder if anyone reads this in an airport...

Let me hear from you. I invite you to share your "buzzing" discoveries and thoughts with me and with others on this blog.

Catherine