This isn’t really “news”, but Engadget thought it was. I have written out over a hundred pop songs, a lot of which are on Rock Band. It makes practicing more fun. [Continue]

The Galway Network has three great videos of a Sir James Galway masterclass. I’ve seen these on YouTube, but the quality here is way better. http://www.thegalwaynetwork-video.com/embouchure.html. There parts. Embouchure part 1, Embouchure part 2, Embouchure Flexibility and Touch of the Keys. Check it out. [Continue]

There was a National Flute Association Convention (so I hear). A couple of people on the Flute list cross posted on the Galway List. Here are some interesting ones. NFA Convention 2007 Workshop: How to Practice with Immanual Davis NFA Convention Panel Discussion: Louis Lot, the Stradivarius of the Flute Lecture Presentation: Why good often [Continue]

I have updated the II-V-I patterns yet again. I consolidated some of the other patterns I had (like the Ray Brown ones). There are now 286 pages (or 286 4 bar patterns) to enjoy. Also gone is the Jazz Font in favor of a more clean, professional look using Bill Duncan’s Fonts for Finale. These [Continue]

&G. Schirmer has a new series of books out called The Flute Collection. There are three books in the series, a Easy-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Intermediate-Advanced. These are excellent books. They come with a Flute and a Piano part, the CD (or CDs) come with full performance and accompaniment tracks. Caen Thomason-Redus on Flute and [Continue]

John Devitt wrote “Hello all, for those of you interested in studying jazz flute improvisation I’ve uploaded two MIDI files of transcribed solos of the late great jazz flautist Harold McNair to my website. If you don’t have a sequencer or notation program which can print out the solo part you can download the accompanying [Continue]

harry63 writes “I teach flute lessons in my community and I am having the hardest time getting my younger students (grades 7-9) to practice their long tones. Their finger technique is excellent, but their tone leaves a lot to be desired. When I ask them I get the “but it’s so BORING” response. I have [Continue]

In the latest issue of The Flutist which I receive as being a member of the National Flute Association, there was an article about software for use in practicing and teaching. Here is a brief summary of it and some additions of my own. The article, written by Joseph Manupello, is interesting, but has a [Continue]

If you don’t subscribe to the Flute List, then you should. They had some interesting posts about lesson policies going on. Here are a couple to ponder….. [Continue]

Ashley writes “I just started playing flute again after a 2 year break without playing at all. I played in the Symphony in college and believe that my technique is still there (for the most part, at least), but I have completely lost my tone. Any suggestions on how to get it back fast?Thanks!Ashley” [Continue]