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Monday, March 29, 2010
The Flute Scale BookSince the whole note scales are presented beginning
in the key of F (to balance the hand), I often start this exercises on C2 and on each repetition of the 8 or 12 times, I ascend
up a half step chromatically. By the time I get to the top---C, C#, D, Eb, it is a great workout. Even air and a smaller aperture
are winning ideas.
9:39 pm pdt
The Flute Scale BookI love playing the whole note scales up and down
in one beat, repeating the scale 8 to 12 times on one long stream of air. Try it.
9:38 pm pdt
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Flute Scale BookFor those of you with The Flute Scale Book---have
you tried choosing only one key and then doing everything in the book in that key? It only takes about an hour to do it and
you have a complete workout.
11:21 pm pdt
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Flute Scale BookThe first chapter features one octave scales
in whole notes. Not only is this great material for the young player, but can be used for tone and tuning material for the
advanced player. One of my favorite things to practice is one octave scales, slurred, up and down at least 8 times, 12 times
or more. It is a more advanced idea than the five note repetitions we have all been doing
for so long.
10:23 pm pdt
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Flute Scale BookCheck out the feet on page iii. Dr. Susan
Fain generously allowed us to use this illustration (from her dissertation). Don't you love the splayed toes? Left foot
at 12:00 and right at 3:00 and then adjust to make it comfortable. Body will be 45 degrees to the right and the head will
turn to the left (facing the stand) so
that the flute will be parallel to the stand. Patricia George
9:54 pm pdt
The Flute Scale BookNext in The Flute Scale Book is a terrific circle
of fifths designed by Phyllis Louke. Not only does it show the key pairings but it also indicates by the position on the circle
(think clock) how many flats or sharps are in the key signature and then how the key signature is set up on the staff. There
are also clever mnemonic devices to help remember the key pairings. Patricia George
9:53 pm pdt
The Flute Scale BookOne of the features of the book is on page
iv--Introduction to Scales. So many students today do not have a piano background so we inserted a one octave keyboard. This
keyboard should help you show the student what 1/2 and whole steps are. Also there are drills to help you teach major, minor,
whole tone and gapped scales. I think it is a winner. It is good for enharmonic study too.
Patricia George
9:52 pm pdt
The Flute Scale BookAs you begin to practice through the book, notice
that most exercises start in the key of F. The key of F is a much better key in which to balance the hand. By the time you
get to C, C will be a breeze because your hand is balanced. Patricia George
9:51 pm pdt
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