Doctor Flute Blog
Musings on the FluteSo Much to Do So Little Time
Are you busy? Really, that is a silly question because who is not busy. Schedules today, both our own and our kids are so full that having copious amounts of practice time is an ideal thing of the past. Today it’s about how to get the most out of the little bit of...
Embouchure Placement
Embouchure placement is not a sure thing. If you have grown up, and you've taken lessons, and you've played for a long time, yet you're still not happy with the sound that you're getting, think about your embouchure and its relationship to your lip. I thought for so...
A New Program Is Like Christmas
It's that time of year (well past really) where I put together a new recital program and in these parts that's nigh unto Christmas, right? I mean who doesn't get totally excited when new music arrives in the mail. It's Christmas ! ! ! ! ! ! I absolutely love...
Finger Positions
Do you keep your fingers on the flute when you play? Are you letting gravity pull them down? If not, you should be. Your fingers need to be staying on the keys when you play. They move much better. They're more efficient. They're faster. And they're less noisy when...
Flutes Through the Years
I've had two new flutes in my professional career. Both were monumental in my life. When I began flute lessons at school in 4th grade, my Dad was the high school band director. He got me a Gemeinhardt from the schools assortment of instruments. I called it my...
Your B Thumb Position
How do you position your B thumb? It's important that when you are playing flute that your fingers are as natural and as relaxed as possible. This goes for your B thumb too. I see so many students that play with the tip of their thumb. I used to play with my thumb on...
How Do You Rate Your Practice?
On a scale from 1-10 with 10 being the best, how would rate your practice time? Do you feel you get a lot accomplished with real quality time? Maybe? Maybe you are thinking "I wonder if my practice time is a 3?" Anyone right there? I believe you are not alone. In my...
Performance Movement
Have you ever watched yourself play? Do you wiggle a lot when you perform? Are you moving all over the stage? Well, you're probably not walking around, but moving your body all over when you perform? Sometimes, that’s very distracting from the audience's perspective....
Two-Timing
Are you a two-timer? My professor at Eastman told me about her time at college and how her teacher once called her two-timing Bonnie. That means you begin a piece then stop because you made a mistake. Then you begin again and finish flawlessly. I heard Trevor Wye...