Workshops

This is just too much fun!

Tone Development

Breathing, relaxation, embouchure control and expanding dynamic capabilities will all be explored in this class. Special attention will be paid to how you place and hold your instrument. Build your own Tone Tunes collection and begin developing the sound you have always wanted.

Air Management

Learn how to better manage your air, your most precious resource. Exercises will help you better control your lips and learn how they affect dynamics and pitch. We will talk about how to get better breaths, the four kinds of breaths used in pieces and when to use them. If you feel you are frequently running out of air too soon, this class will be a real eye-opener.

Alternate Fingerings

Alto and bass flute have their own unique response and intonation problems. We will explore the possibilities of solutions available on each person's instrument and you will develop a chart of fingerings that work for you.

Becoming a Better Ensemble Player

We will learn better ensemble tuning techniques and strategies for improving your ability to adjust to changing pitch, rhythm, dynamics and tempo. Become a player that adds stability and a positive attitude to your group.

Discovering Alto and Bass Repertoire

We will focus on several of the best pieces for alto and bass flute and begin to learn them as a group. We will read through them, spend time discussing the problems presented in each piece, work on selected passages and develop a strategy that you could use to prepare this piece for some future performance. Everyone will be expected to have their own copy of these pieces which I will choose at the end of May.

Etudes - not scheduled for 2012

The class will be divided into three ability levels and we will work out of the Franz Vester 125 Easy Classical Studies for Flute published by Universal. With these etudes we will work on elements of articulation, intonation, dynamics and fluid technique. If you play comfortably in 3 or more sharps and 5 or more flats, you are in the advanced group. If you play comfortably in 2 or more sharps and 4 or more flats, you are in the intermediate group. Everyone else is in the beginning group.

Intonation - not scheduled for 2012

Alto and bass flutes have challenging intonation problems, especially in the high octave. You will find out how you and your instrument are coping with this challenge at this point in time. For the class, everyone must have an electronic tuner and Seven Steps to Better Intonation by Chris Potter published by Falls House Press.

Vibrato - not scheduled for 2012

Learn how to develop and control this expressive element of flute playing. We will break the learning process down into simple-to-follow step and the class will be divided into three ability levels to allow for more individual attention. If you are completely dissatisfied with your vibrato, you are in the beginning class. If your vibrato works sometimes but not others, you are in the intermediate class. If you are basically satisfied with your vibrato but think if could be more flexible, you are in the advanced class. Everyone must have the Vibrato Workbook by Chris Potter published by Falls House Press.