Flute Secrets: Advice for Students, Teachers and Professionals

207 Pages·2017·11.52 MB·English

by  Trevor Wye

A notebook of professional matters which deals with the purchase, performing,
teaching and the repair and alteration of flutes.
Written by Trevor Wye
Editor and advisor: Susan J. Maclagan
FOREWORD
For over 60 years, Trevor Wye has gathered ‘secrets’ about the flute, stemming
from his studies with Geoffrey Gilbert and Marcel Moyse, and growing through
his experiences as a freelance performer and now as one of the most notable
flute educators in the world. Perhaps his best-known published works are the
Practice Books for the Flute and Marcel Moyse, an Extraordinary Man: A
Musical Biography. There is no doubt that Trevor commands one of the best
understandings of flute customisation, technique and development in the modern
age. When the initial manuscript for ‘Flute Secrets’ arrived, we knew this was
going to be something special.
A constant message throughout this book is that every flute and every player is
unique. It takes time to find the right combination, and trial and error to discover
which ‘quick fixes’ and customisations work best for you. Trevor has compiled
his findings in this book, ranging from simple fixes — such as preventing
leaking keys — to resourceful ‘hacks’ — such as adding filler to tone holes and
making your own ‘sound bridges’ to improve resonance! Further to flute
specifics, you’ll also find essential advice on developing your career as a
performing musician or teacher, including etiquette, music copyright and
practice strategies. Every experienced player will wish they had this earlier in
life, but better late than never!
Trevor shares his fascinating experiences as an educator and performer who has
travelled the world, and his enthusiasm for all flute matters is infectious, which
makes for an entertaining and informative read. He collaborates here with
freelance flutist, teacher and author of A Dictionary for the Modern Flutist,
Susan J. Maclagan.
This is an invaluable resource for flutists, tutors, students and musicians alike.
Although we would recommend you explore the book by dipping in and out, you
can read page by page if you prefer. Use the contents pages to find a topic of
your choosing, and then delve into the wisdom that this book holds. We hope
you discover secrets you may never have come across before.
Sam Lung and Louise Unsworth
The Editors
The Editors
Novello & Co
Table of Contents
Preface
Names of Notes
Names of Mechanism Keys
SECTION 1 THE INSTRUMENT
1.1 Flute purchase
Overview
The choice
Wooden flutes
1.2 Head joints
Head joints in general
Choosing a head joint
Wings
The lip plate
The riser
The blowing edge – The ‘Carrot Grater’
1.3 Flutes
Choosing a flute
Articulation checks
Tube thickness
Seamed tubes
Tube diameter
Mechanism comfort
Mechanism height
Further tuning checks
1.4 Head joint and flute variables
Dimensions
Materials
Keywork reliability
Drawn or soldered tone holes
Open-hole cups (French-style)
Extra keys
Gizmo
Lower G insert
Split-E mechanism
Split-E clutch
Convertible B/C foot joint
G/A mechanism
C trill
An extra roller
Engraved lip plate
Offset G
Angled thumb keys
D foot
The vented left-hand C key
Inline/offset flutes
1.5 Customising your flute
Altering the trill key
Lip plate insecurity
The Rockstro Position
Open-hole difficulties: left hand
Open-hole difficulties: right hand
Foot keys problems
Foot joint insecurity
Dents
1.6 The piccolo
The piccolo
1.7 Transporting flutes
Security
Mailing a flute
Travelling by air
SECTION 2 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
2.1 Practising
What to practise
2.2 Practice schedules
A one-year practice plan
Regularity
2.3 Tone
Tone — warming up
Tuning up
Tone exercises
Melodies
2.4 Technical practice
Finger technique: Weeks 1 and 2; 3 and 4; 5 and 6
Scales and arpeggios
Practising the third and fourth octaves
Studies
Adding lyrics
2.5 Articulation practice
Practice strategy
Single tonguing
Double and triple tonguing
Flutter tonguing
2.6 A guide to faster progress
Fingering
Recording
Practise what you can’t play
Marking the music
Posture
Using a mirror
The metronome
Improvisation
Memory
Vibrato
Flexibility
2.7 Flute literature
Flute repertoire
Orchestral repertoire
Piccolo repertoire
2.8 Special and sensitive fingerings
Introduction
Low register
Second octave
Third octave
2.9 Trills
Low register
Second octave