Intro Workshops Repertoire List Ways to Attend Application Daily Schedule

 

Workshops

  • Bernard Lint, Marty Melicharek, Paula D'Oyen, Deb Blue and Judy Sammel becoming one with their headjoints at the 2009 Retreat

    • Articulation

    Articulation is defined as "how notes are connected together." We will learn how to tongue the beginnings of notes more clearly and how to control the endings. We will work on connecting notes as smoothly as possible and the many subtle ways to separate them. These seemingly simple skills have a great effect on the character and atmosphere of a piece.

    Etudes

    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.

    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.

    Intonation

    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.

    Tone Development

    Breathing, relaxation, embouchure control and expanding dynamic capabilities will all be explored in this class. Build your own Tone Pieces collection and begin developing the tone you have always wanted.

    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.

    Vibrato

    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. It will be available April 1st.

    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.