The Flute Player's Book

Written by Vernon Hill, the Flute Player's book is a complete manual for the flute player and music teacher. It includes 54 demonstration audio tracks all cross referenced (download audio tracks below), 140 pages of charts, checklists and useful exercises.

• answers all your questions simply and logically;
• your playing will improve and be more enjoyable;
• entire sections on phrasing, tone colours, vibrato, technique, tonguing, breathing (including `circular breathing') intonation and effortless high notes.

Download demonstration audio tracks.

 

Details of The Flute Player's Book

Basic ingredients for flute playing

• Absolute rhythmic security and total musical conviction
• Holding the flute
• Three-point hold or little finger hold
• Using a music stand
• Sitting or standing                                                           

The flute sound - how a sound is produced

• How to blow a flute
• The basic flute sound
• Getting started                                                                

Changing the tonal qualities

• Background information
• Tone quality changes - "strong-hard" sound, "gentle-hollow" sound
• Embouchure exercises                                                    

Detache or "Breath Pulse"

• Background information
• Detache or "breath pulse" is one of the most important and powerful tools we have (and also one of the most neglected!)
• It is an essential ingredient in producing vibrant and brilliant flute playing.
• Detache exercises                                                           

Practise procedures

• Why practise?
• What to practise?
• When to practise?
• How to practise?
• Sight reading
• Opposites and extremes
• The Vernon Hill Check List
• Practice or performance mode                                          

Harmonics for tone development

• What are harmonics
• Why do we use harmonics
• How do we use harmonics
• The Harmonics Chart                                                       

Intonation and pitch control

• Background information
• What is pitch?
• Length of air column
• The third octave
• Tuning up
• Intervals
• Difference tones
• Beats                                                                             

Musical phrasing - how to say something in your playing

This chapter is 22 pages long and could be expanded into a mini book of its own. The information and advice given is equally useful on any musical instrument.

• Background information
• Rhythm
• Time signature
• Shape of the music
• Number of bars in the phrase
• Rules for leading and excitement
• Rubato
• Period and style of the music
• Types of rubato, rallentando and "freedoms"
• Re-establishing the pulse after a break
• Vibrato
• Echo effects, sequences, moods and motifs
• Articulation - attacks, ends and groupings                         

Articulation and using the tongue

• Background information.
• How do we tongue?
• The two basic ways of tonguing.
• Double and triple tonguing.
• How to make articulated passages sound correct and in style.
• Flutter tongue                                                                  

Practical breathing techniques

• Background information
• Breathing --- the medical explanation
• Throat noises
• Timing the breath
• Exhaling
• Support
• Circular breathing
• Learning to "circular breathe" see pages 102 - 104. (PS anyone can learn to use it effectively)         

Advanced tone and vibrato

• Background information
• Tone quality
• Vibrato                                                                           

Performing nerves -- how to cope with stage fright

• Background information
• How to cope with nerves
• Auditions (including an audition list for both Symphonic, and Opera & Ballet orchestras)     

Check lists, charts, important points and useful exercises.
There are also 20 pages of the most important charts, and checklists from throughout the entire book. It will "jog your memory" by giving you the "key points" in a clear uncluttered form. If you are not sure of the subject, you can refer back to the relevant chapter for greater detail.