It's that time of year again! If you are a high school flute student anywhere in Wyoming, I hope you will audition for All-State Band this year. If you get in, it will be a great experience playing with your fellow ambitious flutists from around the state, and if you don't you'll still learn so much about playing and conquering your fears!
I'll be giving two free virtual workshops again this year to help students prepare for their auditions:
Monday, October 11 at 7pm: All-State Practice Session for Flutes (register here by Oct. 10)
Monday, October 18 at 7pm: Piccolo Basics and All-State Practice Session (register here by Oct. 17)
To get you started, here are some pointers on this year's etudes:
Etude #1 (Con fuoco):
- Strive for 4-measure phrases when possible; otherwise, make them 2-measure phrases.
- Start subdividing the 8th note pulse in m. 7 to make a smooth and accurate transition into the mixed compound meter at m. 9.
- Review your extreme dynamics by practicing lots of crescendos and decrescendos with the tuner.
- Accents get their weight from length and strength; staccatos get their lift from letting the tongue snap back down faster after the initial attack.
- Always practice with the metronome--you can even put it on the 8th note beat to make the compound meters easier.
Etude #2 (Tenderly):
- Strive for 2-measure phrases in this one so that you're not tempted to play with a tiny sound in order to "save air".
- Use a free, spinning vibrato on last notes of phrases, and especially in m. 8 to help exaggerate your crescendo.
- Be very accurate with articulation--where exactly does each slur begin and end? Don't improvise.
- Review advice on dynamics and metronome work, above!
And listen to my demonstration of the flute etudes!:
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