by Dr. Angela McBrearty | Dec 2, 2023 | FluteTips, Intonation, Teachers
Have you ever really thought about your arms when playing flute? What do your arms do? Some people let their arms hang, some bring the left elbow up some look like their arms are barely holding the flute up and some keep them rigidly out marching band style. Did you...
by Dr. Angela McBrearty | Jul 1, 2021 | Embouchure, Flute Purchase, FluteTips, Teachers, Tone
Have you thought about upgrading your flute? If so, this is an exciting time! But are you asking yourself whether it is necessary? Are you unsure as to whether you should invest in the step-up instrument? So, you have been playing flute for a while, and...
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 | Aug 27, 2020 | Double Tongue, FluteTips, Practice, Teachers, 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...
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 | 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...