Doctor Flute Blog
Musings on the Flute
Expanding Your Thin Sound on the Flute
Do you have trouble trying to make your tone bigger? Would you describe your tone as thin and small or tight? You tone doesn’t have to be that way forever. There is help. You are not alone in both the desire for a richer more resonant tone nor in the desire to change...
More Problems with Your Low C
Do you have difficulties getting your low C on the flute? You are not alone. It is often a note that doesn’t sound great, has a delay before sounding and is airy. Don’t despair there is hope. I get a lot of inquiries about how to get a low C to sound on the flute. I...
Grounding
Grounding. That is an interesting word when referring to flute playing. So, what does it mean? I think it refers to all that resounds when you play. It is all about the things needed to reach depth of tone and resonance. For this blog (and Flute Tip) I will reference...
Fast Easy Clear Flute Double-Tonguing
Do you double-tongue? How is it working for you? Do you have a good tone? Some flutists think they don’t need to double-tongue because their single tongue is fast enough. I’ve definitely heard some fast single tongues but none that are as fast as a well-working clean...
Tone Color
What is tone color? Tone color is one of those things that's just a little bit ethereal. What really is tone color? And how do we do it? What does it mean when we play the flute? I remember when I was in college, thinking, "All right, so what's this tone color thing...
How to Play Fast Flute Passages Cleanly
We all have problems cleaning up fast passages. When you hear someone playing flawlessly with crystal clear passages it is something to be admired. it is a lovely thing when you hear every single note. Playing cleanly takes a player from the amateur level up a notch...
Singing While Playing for Better Resonance in Your Tone
Have you ever tried playing and singing at the same time? It is an extended flute technique that actually improves your tone when you learn to do it! Singing while playing is not just a 21st century extended flute technique. It’s an exercise that you can use to...
Playing Köhler’s Virtuosic Etudes Opus 75
If you've never looked at Köhler's Virtuosic Etudes Opus 75, you should. But, let me tell you what you’re getting into. First, they are a lot of fun to play! Second, they are not for the faint of heart! I really enjoy them because they do work a lot of very common...
Playing Softly
Playing softly is an art that needs to be practiced all on its own. Everyone has their own way of playing softly, sometimes correctly, but more often incorrectly. The usual way of soft playing is to squeeze the embouchure. It can be quite difficult to break this habit...