Breathing, music performance and pedagogy, creativity, the flute and flute-playing.
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One of my readers asked this week where to locate good fingering charts for the piccolo on the internet. Coincidentally, the topic came up t... -
For many years I have taught that a good flute embouchure has 4 corners: 2 corners by the upper cheekbones, one by each nostril, and, the 2 ... -
Greetings! I have just returned to North Carolina from the Keith Underwood Flute Masterclass at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, a week filled with ...
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Introducing Fluteachniques™: Harmonics+2 Note Slur Tone Study
Greetings,
I recently started having students combine two favorite tone studies for a great warm up. The results have been improved evenness throughout the range of the flute and richer tone in the high register.
I will be sharing more teaching tips in the future. Look for Fluteachniques™in the LeGrand Virtual Studio in coming months!
Best,
Catherine
Friday, January 20, 2012
"Classic" Breath Builder
Greetings,
This video and article from the early days of my website (2006) has tried and true information. The Breath Builder still rules!
Best,
Catherine
The Breath Builder is a self-teaching device. Its primary lesson is the effortless, complete exchange of air at either end of the breath, without any holding or physical tension. It is a visual aid for learning the concept of breath support and also aids improvement of breathing efficiency and of lung capacity.
Developed by the late bassoonist Harold Hansen of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Breath Builder is a translucent plastic cylinder closed on the bottom with 3 holes on top and a ping pong ball inside. The 3 holes and the 2 accompanying plastic tubes with different diameters can be used to control resistance to your air movement. The object is to keep the ping pong ball at the top of the cylinder while blowing into the Breath Builder and also while sucking the breath back through the device. The air is always moving in or out, never stopping. Very simply, if the blowing is steady and the breath exchanges well, the ping pong ball stays at the top of the plastic cylinder.
Tips for Use of the Breath Builder:
I suggest using the larger tube. The smaller one tends to increase physical tension. Begin by blowing into the tube to raise the ping pong ball to the top of the plastic cylinder. Once you have mastered this, while the ping pong ball is at the top, try sucking the air back through the tube without letting the ball drop.
Blow from the front of your mouth. Try to release the air from your lips. Careful not to overdo. Begin with one or two exchanges of air.
Try sucking the air back from the tube and then performing a task; play or sing a phrase or execute some other physical action while you release the breath you just sucked throughout the tube.
Be sure the sternum does not compress as you blow into the machine. This causes unnecessary tension and inefficient release of the breath. Allow your spine to lengthen as you release each breath.
Buy Now!
Caution: Avoid repeating this process until becoming dizzy! Stop immediately if you feel dizzy and rest until the feeling passes. While learning to use the breath builder, please sit down.
This video and article from the early days of my website (2006) has tried and true information. The Breath Builder still rules!
Best,
Catherine
Developed by the late bassoonist Harold Hansen of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Breath Builder is a translucent plastic cylinder closed on the bottom with 3 holes on top and a ping pong ball inside. The 3 holes and the 2 accompanying plastic tubes with different diameters can be used to control resistance to your air movement. The object is to keep the ping pong ball at the top of the cylinder while blowing into the Breath Builder and also while sucking the breath back through the device. The air is always moving in or out, never stopping. Very simply, if the blowing is steady and the breath exchanges well, the ping pong ball stays at the top of the plastic cylinder.
Tips for Use of the Breath Builder:
I suggest using the larger tube. The smaller one tends to increase physical tension. Begin by blowing into the tube to raise the ping pong ball to the top of the plastic cylinder. Once you have mastered this, while the ping pong ball is at the top, try sucking the air back through the tube without letting the ball drop.
Blow from the front of your mouth. Try to release the air from your lips. Careful not to overdo. Begin with one or two exchanges of air.
Try sucking the air back from the tube and then performing a task; play or sing a phrase or execute some other physical action while you release the breath you just sucked throughout the tube.
Be sure the sternum does not compress as you blow into the machine. This causes unnecessary tension and inefficient release of the breath. Allow your spine to lengthen as you release each breath.
Buy Now!
Caution: Avoid repeating this process until becoming dizzy! Stop immediately if you feel dizzy and rest until the feeling passes. While learning to use the breath builder, please sit down.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
René Le Roy playing Danse de la Chevre
Greetings,
This piece was dedicated to René Le Roy by the composer. This recording was made in 1929. Excellent fidelity! So many colors!
Catherine
This piece was dedicated to René Le Roy by the composer. This recording was made in 1929. Excellent fidelity! So many colors!
Catherine
The Importance of Play
Greetings,
This short documentary expresses the importance of play for better, more creative work and happier lives. Highly recommended!
Catherine
This short documentary expresses the importance of play for better, more creative work and happier lives. Highly recommended!
Catherine
Trailer - SERIOUSLY! The Future depends on play from Gwen Gordon on Vimeo.
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