Notes from Keith Underwood’s Ghost Ranch Masterclass on 8.24.11

Greetings,

Here are my notes from Keith Underwood’s Flute Masterclass at Ghost Ranch on 8.24.11.

Most notes are my paraphrased understanding.
[ ...CL] are my additional comments
“...” is a literal Keith quote

1. A modified Rockstro hand position (see.....)allows for changing the balance of the flute between hands. Keith advocates shifting the weight of the flute between hands as needed to facilitate technique as he was taught by Tom Nyfenger. Use the fingers that are down to balance the flute.

2. DOUBLE TONGUING
Play the varied articulations in Taffanel-Gaubert scales (#4 from Daily Exercises) with double tonguing syllables. Examples (T=Tongue, S=Slur)
Ta-------key for TSST
Ta-key----- for TSSS
Ta-key-ya-key for one for TTST.
You end up with better double tonguing than if you practiced double tonguing itself all day.

3. PRACTICING T-G SCALE #4, CONT.
Cover a bit of the left side of embouchure hole by turning head toward the right hand for high notes. Turn head to the right while moving arm forward. Float right wrist forward.
It will sound like you are blowing down into the flute. Aim for top note
by turning head to right toward as right hands goes forward.
[I used this method with great success in Spring 2011 performances of Bartok Suite Paysanne Hongroise. My flute was very stable during difficult passages. They were suddenly easier! CL]

D Major scale in trills.
Connect each trill with nachschlag as you ascend.
Keith thinks this is “fertile ground for improvement of technique”
Keep flute more stable by using the finger next-closest to your face (not moving) to support the motion of the trill. This keeps us from tensing up the left shoulder. Relax shoulders and upper arms and feel like you are holding your flute with your fingers. [Remember to bodymap your arms as resting on your ribs.CL]

5. These methods keeps upper body more available for breathing. “I think one reason people talk about “low breathing” is because people hold their instruments so tightly.” They are tight across the chest, forcing their abdomen out.,

6. Watch Rampal play the 1st movement of Mozart D Major Concerto, K. 314

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs9kcu-BXUQ&feature=fvwrel

Notice how he brings flute up to play for first entrance. Holding mostly in right hand, relaxed across the chest.

7. 3rd movement of the Mozart D Major Concerto, K. 314. is great for practicing the flute balancing techniques above.

END
Time to practice!

Best,
Catherine

Using the Breath Builder to Improve Vibrato

Greetings,

This exercise is based on my notes from the Keith Underwood Ghost Ranch Masterclass, Tuesday, August 14, 2007. Quotes are Keith’s words. Parentheses are my thoughts and additions.

“Blow from your mouth.”

1. Move the air in and out of the BB smoothly: 4 beats exhale, 4 beats inhale, at c. 90 to the quarter note. Exhale low to high (mouth last).

2. Repeat above exercise while moving flute up and down at side (Ribs change position, rotating on individual paths, facilitating breathing). Move 4 beats up while inhaling, 4 beats down while exhaling. (Right lung is larger, so it is most effective if BB is in left hand, flute in right.)

3. Repeat the exercise adding vibrato on the exhales, about 4 pulses per beat as per Keith (I do c. 5).

This is about not running out of air faster when using the vibrato…and about NOT having an AIR vibrato (no WA-WA WA-WA!!!)

“Let the ribs be much higher up…”

4. Repeat the exercise covering the large whole. First without, then with, vibrato.

5. Repeat the exercise covering the large whole plus a small hole. First without, then with, vibrato. (Uncover at beginning to inhale, cover as beginning to blow, changing at the exact moment of air direction change).

(Some people find it easier to cover a hole—perhaps they are used to resistance?)

Now play your flute and enjoy the differences!

Best,
Catherine

A Great Flute Embouchure (according to Keith Underwood)

Greetings,

Last summer in a Ghost Ranch class Keith mentioned that an ideal flute embouchure was a combination of the facial features of two late night hosts:

Jay Leno on the bottom (lower lip lifted above lower teeth and tongue)












and


David Letterman on the top (zygomatic major muscle activated and air sizzling through the slit in the front teeth)




I have found this to be an enormously helpful image.
Let me know if it helps you!

As my chopstick and buzzing exercises have improved, my embouchure has actually begun to take on this appearance.


Best,
Catherine

Keith Underwood Ghost Ranch Interview Video List

Dear subscribers,

Here is the list of all nine of the Keith Underwood Ghost Ranch interview videos and their links on my public blog and the directions for finding my version of the “Chopsticks Exercise”.

I hope you find the list useful.
Catherine


What are the benefits of buzzing?

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/08/video-interview-with-keith-underwood.html


When will we hear improvement from buzzing?

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/08/interview-with-keith-underwood-part-2.html


What if our lips get numb?

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/08/interview-with-keith-underwood-part-3.html


Please provide a Buzzing 101: Syllabus…

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/08/interview-with-keith-underwood-part-4.html


More Buzzing Exercises, Lip Vibrato, and Tuning

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/09/interview-with-keith-underwood-part-5.html


Timing and Sequence of Events for a Breath

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/09/interview-with-keith-underwood-part-6.html


Tongue-controlled embouchure and Support

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/09/interview-with-keith-underwood-part-7.html


On Creating an Open and Supportive Atmosphere

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/10/interview-with-keith-underwood-part-8.html

On Ideal Vibrato Speed

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/10/interview-with-keith-underwood-part-9.html


LEGRAND VERSION OF CHOPSTICK EXERCISE:

Scroll down to see video on Chopsticks on lower right at:

http://www.catherinelegrand.com/

Or:

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/2007/09/chopstick-exercise-practice-bytes.html

Catherine interviews Keith Underwood

Greetings!

I have just returned to North Carolina from the Keith Underwood Flute Masterclass at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, a week filled with tangible learning in an open, warm, and supportive atmosphere. Thanks to Nancy Laupheimer for organizing a great class, and thanks to my classmates for sharing their learning processes.

I am grateful for the information and inspirations I have received from Keith over the past 15 or so years, and I am delighted to share a video interview with Keith filmed on August 18, 2007 at Ghost Ranch.

I have posted the first four segments of the video in the public blog since the interview was a gift from Keith to the world flute community. I am honored to be able to share this information.

Here is the link to the interviews.

Catherine LeGrand interviews Keith Underwood
Ghost Ranch, NM, August 18. 2007

• On Benefits of Buzzing for Flutists
• When will we hear improvement from buzzing?
• What if our lips get numb?
• Please provide a Buzzing 101: Syllabus…

Additional segments coming in September and October!

Catherine LeGrand interviews Keith Underwood
Ghost Ranch, NM, August 18. 2007 (continued)

• More Buzzing Exercises, Lip Vibrato, and Tuning
• Timing and Sequence of Events for a Breath
• Tongue-Controlled Embouchure and Support
• On Ideal Vibrato Speed
• On Creating an Open and Supportive Atmosphere

Sincere best wishes,
Catherine