Struggling with your upper register? Does just the thought of playing high notes make you feel tense? Secretly want to avoid them altogether? If so, this 10 minute video is for you. In this chat, I talk about a more holistic* approach to playing that moves away from solely ‘fixing’ the technical side of things. Why? Because your musicality is waaaay more […]
Tag Archives | teaching
How to fall head-over-heels in love with musicology (+ why it took me a while)
Have you ever considered… Why you play your classical music the way that you do? (And who decides these ‘style rules’ anyway?) Why one type of playing is valued over another in the music conservatory (by the way, who decides what is ‘proper’?) Why there are so many recordings of musicians performing the same pieces […]
Your invitation to join me for 4 Days of Fluting + Relaxation in Cornwall
–SOLD OUT– The Refreshed Flautist Retreat is designed over 4 days to give you both music & relaxation in a stunning natural setting on the North Cornish coast. Deepen your flute playing skills, refresh your musicality and take time to rejuvenate by the sea, all with the popular coastal village of St. Agnes as your […]
Everything I know about receiving support (artistic, or otherwise)
On the 2nd of January, 2017 I decided that my New Year was due a restart. I was in bed with Salmonella food poisoning –there was no way I was going to start the year like that. I’ve aligned my celebrations with the Chinese calendar instead. Happy New Year of the Rooster to you–and […]
“My teacher refused to teach me”. A chat with flautist Ruth Ballantyne about rising above the naysayers (+ her new flute book, too)
Surely you’ve heard about the nightmare piano teacher? She’s the one who’d hit your knuckles with a ruler if you played a wrong note at the keyboard. Shudder. While it can’t be said that ruthless teaching practices are limited to purely musical subjects, I’ve heard far too many of my flute students relate their own horror […]
My up-close-and-personal conversation with flautist and interdisciplinary performer Zara Lawler
I’ll admit that I was skeptical (and intrigued) when I first read that New York city-based flautist, Zara Lawler combines dance, voice and text while she plays. But, listen– that skepticism didn’t last long because after I watched her brilliant theatrics in action I was hooked. The fact that she quotes poetry by Rumi in the middle of her Andersen etudes (as one […]
“How do I get more magic in my playing?”
On the evening of the 28th of November, 2015 my toosh was sat on a very rigid wooden chair that was not designed for reclining of any sort. The uncomfortable seating situation didn’t matter because I was mesmerized by… him. I was in Madrid. At a flamenco club. It was my birthday. Delgado danced—oh, man—did he […]
So, you want to (re)start taking flute lessons? (Congrats!) Here’s 9 essential questions to ask yourself first
Ready to start those lessons? Get clear about what you desire in your music-making with these 9 essential questions. Print them out. Daydream. Ponder. Fill them in. Take these to your new teacher. Discuss it. Cut to the chase. Get things rollin’ for your playing from Day 1. 1) Have you had any kind of music […]