Sadly we all seem to be completely used to the new way of doing things, I know we all hope to return to normal life as soon as possible, but we are so lucky we can keep things going through online events.
If you haven’t been to our Flutewise Club online sessions yet, I'd really encourage you to join up. They only last 30 minutes and the feed back I have from flute players, parents and teachers is totally positive. I tend to holed them every couple of weeks, either on a Saturday or a Tuesday. The Tuesday ones involve a guest artist and we are so luck to have Atarah Ben Tovim MBE joining us for the next one on 11 May. I hope people resale how amazing this is!
We have an ensemble piece to start each session plus one to end it. Everyone plays on mute to a backing track. At my end of the computer it looks odd and all I can hear is the track, but everyone always looks completely involved and enjoys it.
On the Saturday sessions we also have the ensemble pieces (these are sent out about a week beforehand) but people are able to ask to perform a piece or come along as part of the audience. The audience is an extremely important role! What we have discovered is that sometimes the sound quality is not as good as it could be. This is for a good number of reasons. I asked people who performed last session if they would record their pieces again and send them in. We are very lucky to have Jerry Randalls so involved with our activities and he kindly gives everyone a comment on their performances. When you read them, below, I think you will agree these are so wonderful, positive and inspiring and totally capturing the whole concept of Flutewise.
Please enjoy reading and listening and then, if you aren’t already, get involved, please spread the word to other flute players, teachers and parents and help us inspire more people. Players from beginners to advanced are more than welcome.
Flutewise 01MAY21 Jerry’s comments
Amelia – Hindemith Sonata 3rd movement
Amelia, you injected an enjoyable bounce into the 6/8 metre and gave this movement a pacey tempo. There are a few notes to sort here and there. However, you got your fingers around many of the runs no problem. This is a dark piece written by HIndemith under the shadow of Naziism. So, your hollow tone in the low passages captures the atmosphere really well. The ‘Marsch’ is a parody of marching jackboots – so lots of sarcasm and hurling the notes about (Figure 30 to 6 bars before the end) in your playing is called for. A full-on performance. Very well done.
Anya - Study in F
Ah! One of my favourite studies! You played the melody with a lovely full sound, clean articulation and a good solid beat which made the music dance. Spot on! This was short but very sweet. Well done, Anyia.
Recording below.
Emme - Doppler
I loved the opening with its subtle rubato and push and pull. You handled the flourishes with ease, too. No flannel there! I heard every note. Great technique! You project an enviable low register – rich and full tone, and you really let the flute sing in the middle and upper registers. Well done Emme. Exactly what I was expecting.
Video below.
Matilda – Menuet
Well done Matilda. Your playing is progressing so well. Nice posture and you played with purpose which gave the muisc drive. Big tick. You have a lovely tone across the range of the flute – in the low and middle register. I look forward to hearing you play again soon.
Chloe - Faure
This was polished and accomplished playing, Chole. I liked your tempo which allowed the phrases to flow easily. You need a lot of carefully planned breathing for this piece! You also had the technical challenge well under control. A pleasure to listen to. Very well done.
Video below.
Anna – Tambourin
You came straight off the bat with a wonderful clear sound and strong articulation. I like this piece to be pokey and you achieved that. The contrasting section worked really well with your change in tone - more lyrical and flowing. Very well done, Anna. I look forward to hearing the completed piece. The ending isn’t as daunting as it looks once you understand the sequence of scales and arpeggios. Liz will give you come pointers. Well done Anna.
