by Dr. Angela McBrearty | Sep 10, 2020 | Breathing, Finger Placements, FluteTips, Performing, Practice, Teachers
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...
by Dr. Angela McBrearty | Jul 9, 2020 | Embouchure, Performing, Practice, Teachers, Tone
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...
by Dr. Angela McBrearty | Jul 2, 2020 | FluteTips, Performing, Practice
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...
by Dr. Angela McBrearty | Mar 12, 2020 | Breathing, Daily Routine, FluteTips, Performing, Practice
Breathing in the middle of a solo can sometimes be quite tricky when done properly. Actually, I don’t think it’s that tricky, we just think it’s tricky and so we don’t do it properly. Generally, when we’re playing in the middle of a solo...
by Dr. Angela McBrearty | Mar 5, 2020 | FluteTips, Performing, Practice, Technique
Everyone has problems rushing. In life and in music. Rushing is what makes a passage not sound smooth as glass. It is what makes the fingers and tongue get out of sync with each other in a double tonguing passage. There are times where you don’t even know that...
by Dr. Angela McBrearty | Feb 6, 2020 | FluteTips, Performing, Repertoire, Teachers
What do you say when you’ve just ended a performance and someone comes up to you and says: “Oh, great job!” And inside you’re thinking: “Ah, I wasn’t very good. I messed up here. I messed up there. I didn’t do this right. It’s not the...