Orchestra lockouts. Job scarcity. Diminishing numbers of students seeking private music instruction. The present state of the classical music industry may lead many newcomers to ask the question, “what is the point?” and many veterans to wonder if all of the time, effort, energy and stamina invested in this career is worth the trouble. Many…

Sometimes it is important to stop focusing on the “right” and “wrong” of music and create music simply for the enjoyment and creativity of the art. In the below video my student, Sunyu, and I demonstrate a short improvisation exercise that can be practiced at the end of a lesson or with other flutists. I…

I was sitting in a dress rehearsal early Saturday morning and experienced quite an interesting phenomenon.  It is allergy season in Northern California and I, like many, woke up that morning with a bit of head congestion.  Normal.  I arrived at the dress rehearsal not thinking much of my condition because it was not effecting…

Wind and brass players tend to speak in a strange foreign language when discussing articulation.  We flutists, for example, have developed numerous syllables for use in single, double and triple tongued passages that slightly alter the quality and ease of sound production.  Below is a comprehensive list of some of these popular (and not so popular) syllables…

  I was recently asked to sub for a local symphony whose principal flute accepted another position within 2 weeks of the concert.  Accordingly, I was in a mad rush to get the music and begin to cram.  After numerous email chains, I was told I could pick up the music at this person’s house (who…