A new term is very exciting so grab these wonderful books and explore something just a little bit different!
Greg Pattillo: 34 Beatbox Flute Beats
This book is perfect for almost beginner students who want to learn Beatboxing skills early. Starting with simple phonetic sounds (books, cats, B-B-Q) and easy rhythms, it’s a straightforward step to adding easy notes to these effects and sound instantly great! It’s also possible to use the book as an addition to more traditional teaching material to improve rhythm or reading skills, it would work in a group teaching situation and might even engage those with learning difficulties. Beginner beatboxing plus! Difficulty Guide: 2-5
Hilary Taggart: The Flute Voice for Flute and Piano
The back story of The Flute Voice is a Sidney Lanier poem of the same title and the words are printed throughout the flute part to forge a strong musical link. The opening line ‘ a velvet flute note fell down pleasantly’ is enticing and the music reflects this with a beautifully crafted flute line over rich supportive harmony, a feature of the writing throughout. Hilary Taggart is a wonderful flute player herself and her understanding of the instrument enables her to use all the colours and flexibility of phrasing available to us. It’s an altogether unusual and very beautiful piece which would be great in any concert programme. Difficulty Guide: 7-8
Helen Butterworth: Gems for Flute Ensembles with Piano
These 8 original little pieces are just right for starting off an inexperienced group. The keys and rhythms are mostly easy, there are duets, trios and a larger group piece included, the piano holds it all together, and you can photocopy the parts. Perfect! Difficulty Guide: 1-3
Reena Esmail: Zinfandel for Solo Flute
The Indian raga style evoked here is distinctive, with the ‘feather beams’ (how to pace runs), grace notes and a mesmeric tonality base. Starting slowly, the melismatic and flexible runs are embellished with vocal-style inflections. The second part is a little faster and marked ‘delicate’. Gentle rhythms with plenty more flexibility develop, gradually becoming increasingly more elaborate and rising to a climax before ebbing away. This compelling music would add a real depth of meaning to any recital. Difficulty Guide: 8
Anatoli Lyadov arranged Joao Vidinha: The Music Box for Flute Ensemble
This is such a fun piece to play! Right from the ‘Automaticamente’ performance direction it’s almost exactly as you would expect to find in an old-fashioned musical box. The constant 3/8 quavers coupled with cross-beat rhythms are a perfect foil for embellishments from the top flute parts as well as a wonderful piccolo solo. If you can find a glock player that would be a real bonus. This piece is a little more than it seems and a treat for everyone! Difficulty Guide: 6-8
