Year: 2020

  • No 11 from Moyse 24 Little Melodic Studies

    No 11 from Moyse 24 Little Melodic Studies

    “Marcel, where is the beat?” Moyse’s uncle upon hearing him practice Here is a practice guide for number 11 of 24 Petites Etudes Melodiques. These are notes from a class I gave online at Fluting with Friends There are two main sections to this etude, which are quite contrasting in character. Part 1: Tchaikovsky Piano…

  • Luxurious Books: Gift Ideas for Flute Players

    Luxurious Books: Gift Ideas for Flute Players

    It’s always lovely to receive a gorgeous book as a present. Here’s our pick of coffee table favourites, luxury gift ideas for the flute player with everything. Robert Bigio: Rudall, Rose and Carte: The Art of the Flute in Britain This a simply stunning book.  Firstly, it’s totally readable – the kind of book you…

  • Gift Ideas for Flute Players

    Gift Ideas for Flute Players

    Stuck for ideas for that Special Flute Player? Try these: they are a little off the beaten track and are sure to delight. In the Pink by Henry Mancini (arranged James Galway) Most of these classic numbers have a flute twist with the result that some of them are really quite tricky. Speedy Gonzales is…

  • Beautiful Tunes to Soothe the Soul

    Beautiful Tunes to Soothe the Soul

    Sometimes only a good tune will do and here is a collection of real stunners. Escape from this crazy world to a place of calm and tranquility. Music to make you feel better! Destiny by Amanda Jane Fox If you love a good tune, look no further than this gem from Amanda Jane Fox. This…

  • 5 Inspirational Solo Flute Pieces Fit for a Recital

    5 Inspirational Solo Flute Pieces Fit for a Recital

    If you are already starting to plan your end-of-year recital, add the wow factor with one of these brilliant contemporary pieces for solo flute. These will add that extra dimension to your programme planning and make for a recital to remember! Lora Al-Ahmad: Two Skazkas for Solo Flute It’s easy to see why this piece…

  • Saint-Saëns Romance: practice tips

    Saint-Saëns Romance: practice tips

    The Romance by Camille Saint-Saëns is one of my absolute favourite pieces – full of warmth and charm and not without its challenges. I recently did a warm-up video for the British Flute Society‘s Warm up Wednesday series and used some simple warm-up exercises centred around this piece. So, here is a blog to give…

  • Escaping the Exam Syllabus – Five Lovely Flute Albums to Explore Around Grade 5

    Albums can be a fantastic way of exploring new pieces. Whether you choose the works of one composer or decide that a wider selection of styles is more appropriate, there’s plenty to entice us away from the syllabus. Here is my pick of albums around Grade 5 level. Unbeaten Tracks for Flute and Piano (edited…

  • Let’s Hear it for the Women! Five Essential Flute Works by Female Composers

    I wanted to write a blog post to celebrate the talents of five ladies who have written some wonderful flute music for us. Music to gladden the heart and lift the spirits! Sonata No 1 for Flute and Piano by Eugénie R Rocherelle It’s great to find a piece of new music of a medium…

  • Autumnal Music for Flute

    Autumnal Music for Flute

    Embrace the changing seasons with these warm autumnal treasures. Autumn in Homeland for Solo Flute by Anže Rozman This piece was written for Slovenian flutist Matej Zupan, and was premiered, by him, at the San Francisco Flute Festival 2010. The piece is nostalgic in nature and describes a summer that is slowly transforming into autumn;…

  • Finding resonance on the flute

    Finding resonance on the flute

    “How do I get a big sound?” is often a question students will ask. Indeed, developing one’s sound and dynamic range is part of a musician’s daily practice. So, apart from blowing more, what can we do as flute players to get a bigger sound? Well, it’s all about resonance. Resonance is the quality in…