Fluteachniques™: Harmonics + 2 Note Slur tone Study

Greetings,
I recently started having students combine 2 favorite tone studies for a great warm up. The results have been improved evenness throughout the range of the flute and richer tone in the high register.
Best,
Catherine

Flutorials™: "Wavy" Finger Breath

Greetings,

The video and audio compression seem to brighten the tone and lower the volume of the finger breath. The actual sound is somewhat lower in pitch and louder. Still, I hope you find this useful!

Catherine

Flutorials™: Double Tonguing Help

Greetings,

Here is an outline of the video contents:

To improve the tone and evenness of double tonguing, first improve your single tonguing.

TONGUE POSITION AND USE
• Use TOP of TIP of tongue
• Tongue feels parallel to upper lip.
• Tongue is in curved over position.
• Tongue is NOT pointy
• Top of tongue touches back of upper lip
• Tongue off back of upper lip.

To feel the ideal position, try the “Pop” exercise.
• Make a “pop” sound--hollow sound.
• Feel the “pinch” between the top of your tongue and the back of your upper lip.
• Try doing it without any air., then back to tonguing on your flute.

DOUBLE TONGUING
• In double tonguing, when the tongue is too straight it moves back and forth and gets in the airstream, creating airy tone.
• Practice scales: make pop sound first--don’t play. Single tongue up then double tongue down. Then play the same pattern on your flute.
• Try to not feel angles changing as you change syllables
• Try reaching out the tongue when breathing. This opens the throat. [YES! Stick that tongue out when inhaling to get the feeling!]

USING COMBINATION PATTERNS TO IMPROVE DOUBLE TONGUING
1. slur 3, tongue 1: double tongued t--k, then back to double tonguing the scale
2. tongue 1, slur 3; double tongue tk--, then back to double tonguing the scale
3.tykeeyikee, then back to double tongued scale.

Hope you find this useful!
Catherine

Websites and Apps for Improving Sight Reading

Greetings,
Here are some websites and apps to improve your sight reading and rhythm. Get busy and get better!
Catherine

1.http://sightreadingfactory.com
Generate sight reading materials in any key for any instrument in various meters and levels of difficulty. You can print out the excerpts, also. Free trial account.

2.

http://www.practicesightreading.com
Listen back to randomly generated rhythms in chosen time signatures (duple, triple, or complex meters) in 5 levels of difficulty. Measure your improvement!

3.

4.http://www.therhythmtrainer.com/
Begins with the most simple rhythms and progresses to more difficult ones as you answer correctly.

5.

Rhythm Sight Reading Trainer by Rolfs Apps
For iphone and ipad. Focuses on reading and playing rhythms correctly. Suitable for all instruments, and it's fun!

Catherine's Steps to Better Sight Reading

Greetings,

Whether you are beginning a new solo piece, sight reading music in an ensemble, or taking a sight reading audition I’m sure you will find this list useful.

If you are taking a sight reading audition, generally the auditioner will allow you 30 seconds or a minute to look over the excerpt before playing. Use your time wisely!

Some of these items may seem obvious, but considering them in this order can improve both overall sight reading accuracy and musical effect.

1. Composer
Is a composer indicated? If so and you are familiar with the composer, it gives immediate insights to the musical style of the piece:
• Era of music
• Articulation style
• Appropriate use of ornaments

2. Title of piece
• The piece might have a descriptive title such as “Leaves in Autumn.”
• The title might indicate a style or provide other information. For example a Minuet is a dance in ¾ time, a Gavotte is a dance in cut time with phrases starting n the middle of each measure.

3.Tempo indication and musical expression markings
• Is the piece fast or slow?
• Be familiar with how various beat per minute metronome markings sound in case this is the only indication—spend some quality time with your metronome☺
•Study lists of tempo related musical terms:
Common tempo terms in Italian
Common tempo terms in French and German
Common tempo qualifying terms
•Is there a mood marking with an associated tempo?
•Are there any changes in tempo? Be sure to include these in your sightreading.

4.Meter and Rhythms
• What is the time signature?
• What are the various ways the meter is expressed in specific rhythms?
• Do these patterns repeat?
• Where do the patterns change?
• How can I group these rhythms into a larger pulse? (This helps the flow of the music and keeps you from getting lost. Always know where the downbeat is!)


5. Key signature and accidentals
• Visually locate all notes affected by EACH accidental in the key signature -- in all octaves!
• Visually locate all additional accidentals. Do any of them carry through the measure? What is the purpose of the accidentals?
• Are they decorative ( chromatic neighbor tones or fill ins)?
• Do they have harmonic implications? (modulation, relative minor key?)

6. Dynamics
Pay special attention to drastic changes in dynamic.

7. Articulations and Accents
•Notice the articulation patterns.
•Do they repeat?
•Don't let articulation changes affect your rhythm. Avoid rushing slurs or taking a pause when the articulation pattern changes.

8. Ornaments
How do these fit into the rhythm and meter of the piece?

The biggest key to being a great sight reader is to practice it regularly. It’s fun to play duets with a friend! Make it a habit to include sight reading in your daily practice, training your thinking with this list of things to consider.

All the best!
Catherine