Flute Vibrato

Read this informative instructable to learn more about using vibrato with your flute.  Article courtesy of www.flutetunes.com

Practice is the Magic Wand!

Here are some ideas about making the most of your practice:

WHEN?

     Practice at the same time each day.  Regular, 24-hour intervals allow the time needed for your brain to reflect on and absorb what was learned previously.

HOW LONG?

     If you are no longer a beginning student, you should be spending a minimum of 45 minutes per day, five to six times per week in practice.  If you are also in band, you need at least sixty minutes of practice per day.

HOW?

     Tuning--Use a tuner to tune your flute to a low register note before every practice. This trains your ear to learn intonation. You should know what it takes to play in tune for all octaves.
     Tone--Start with tone exercises, spending about ten minutes. Concentrate on sound, tuning, hand/foot position. Use mirror to examine embouchure and play tone exercises from short-term memory.
     Technique--ALWAYS use a metronome. 10-15 minutes should be dedicated to technical exercises. Strive for evenness. Use good tone and don't go any faster than you can CLEANLY play even the most difficult phrases. Record your speed daily and increase it as soon as you are able.
     Private Lesson Assignment--Next, work on etudes and repertoire assigned during your lesson.  These are the materials that help you become a good flutist!
     Band music--If you are following directions in your lesson music, then band music should not be a problem.  Practice it after you've covered the other items.
     Concentration--Flute playing is mostly mental work.  It requires utmost concentration free of distractions.  Go over your lesson notes before and during your practice, striving to overcome the tendency to do it your own way!

Common Concepts

LONG PRACTICE SESSIONS

     If your practice is longer than 45 minutes, take a 5-minute break every half hour.  Use this time to think about breathing, relaxation, position, or simply review your music mentally.
     If your flute gurgles, it contains too much condensation.  Swab it, taking it apart if necessary, also dabbing the tone holes to eliminate bubbles.

BE HARD ON YOURSELF

     If you are going to practice, make it difficult.  Concentrate!  You will never regret having practiced, but you will always regret not having practiced.

OBSERVE AND LEARN

     Listen to yourself!  Record your practice periodically.  Critique your own tone, technique, and musicality!

THE MAKINGS OF A GOOD FLUTIST

     If you are a better flutist today than you were nine months ago, it is because you have a applied the concepts of your lesson to your practice, not because you were in band. It is up to YOU to learn to play flute, not to depend on your band director or teacher to spoon-feed you.  A lesson is not a quick-fix nor a guarantee for success. CONSISTENCY in lessons and proper practice IS!