Doctor Flute Blog
Musings on the Flute
Octave Slurs for Better High Notes
A great tone in the high register is often elusive. The high tessitura often creates an embouchure that is tight and small. You can use octave slurs as a technique to conquer this range. Learning how to play in the higher registers without getting tight and small is a...
Varying Your Vibrato with Speed
Vibrato is something that all flute players use in their flute tone. But too many have one vibrato and use it for every piece they play. In reality, vibrato is a tool to be used to create color for each piece you play. Vibrato speed is one way to create different...
Learning Vibrato
How is your vibrato? Do you have vibrato, or do you think only some people can have vibrato? Vibrato is one of those tricky things that we think is going to be extremely hard to learn. But with a little persistence and a couple little tips here and there, you too can...
Why You Should Be Practicing Etudes Every Day
Is practicing etudes a drudgery for you? Do you intentionally skip playing etudes? If that is you, I’m here to tell you to stop! Etudes are part of a rigorous practice session and reveal so much of what a musician needs to learn. Etudes can be the bane of your...
What to Do in a 30-Minute Practice Session
No time? No problem? I’m talking about how to get a full practice session done in just 30 minutes. Life is rarely ideal by giving us all as much time as we want to practice. Instead, life is crazy busy. Whether it’s the job, family, too many classes and papers, or a...
Playing Flute Without Tension in Your Tongue Throat & Jaw
Let’s talk about tension! Tension is one of those areas that we all need to work on. Tension in the embouchure can prevent you from getting the sound you would really like to have. The problem is we don’t work on this. It is oft times ignored in our practice sessions....
Vibrato Pet Peeves
Do you listen to your vibrato when you practice a solo? Are you sure that you are in control of your vibrato? I think the answer to those questions is a resounding no! For many flutists, the vibrato “job” is done once it sounds good and you can play with vibrato...
Playing Softly on the Flute
How is your soft playing? Can you hang out there on a piano and not crack or go flat? Most people practice their tone with a forte sound. It is very rewarding to have a large resonant sound. However, the professionals know that they need to practice their pianos too....
Producing a Lively Sound on the Flute
Could you name some of the aspects of tone that separate the amateur flutist from the professional? What is it that makes their sound so special? I can help you with one of the aspects. It’s: liveliness! A lively sound is what's going to make people stand up and take...