- Weather did NOT allow for playing outside. We stayed in the study room.
- We discussed resonant playing at 64 bpm. See the link below.
- Larry and Vickie demonstrated a duet with the bass D and mid F# (two flutes a major 3rd apart)-- an arrangement of Silent Night from Clint Goss,
- Vickie played Amazing Grace (finally) and we discussed briefly Mode 4.
- Myrna played another jazz composition from her jazz songbook. Everyone else played an improv. We love to hear the growth and improvement. New member Gary, demonstrated his amplifier and lapel mic.
- Each participant played solos and duets to drum and rattle.
- A couple of attendees added tuner/metronome to their phones.
- Special treat: experimenting with rim blown flutes. This activity was very well received and will be repeated in the future.
- UPCOMING EVENT: Southwest Voyager Flute Festival at the Tucson Voyager Resort on April 5 and 6. Some flute players find these types of events to be life changing--revealing new paths and directions. Non-stop performances, enlightening workshops, flute related vendors, on-site food. Admission is free. Donations are welcomed by both performers and workshop instructors. Attend one or both days.
RECAP: August 24, 2019
Playing Gm flutes to tongue drum, random composing, improvising to jam tracks-reggae, latin, native and celtic. Improvising to Am guitar chords.
RECAP: July 27, 2019
Discussed why we use microphones with native flutes. Everyone took a turn to play at the microphone.
Took turns playing to Jan Michel Looking Wolf's Ascension CD. Took turns playing with drum & rattle.
Discussed why we play Amazing Grace and encourage all to learn to play it.
UPCOMING: February 23, 2019
Red Mountain Branch Library
We will meet in one of the study rooms and move outside to play with microphone and jam tracks.
Flute Playing Basics in the study room at 9:30 am
Flute Circle outside from 10:00 to 11:30 am
We will enjoy playing duets and solos, call and response. We will be playing to jam tracks and drum/rattle. We will also experience utilizing the amplifier/microphone.
For Your Edification (and later flute circle use):
Resonant breathing explained by Kalani Das. Kalani explains and demonstrates resonant breathing and its health benefits.
Here is a backing link you can practice resonant breathing.
RECAP: June 22, 2019
Attended by a few beginners. Time was spent in beginner instruction
Song-Within
Interactive Workshop & Classes
Native Style Flute
Featuring High Spirits Flutes and Accessories
UPCOMING: April 27, 2019
Red Mountain Branch Library
We will be meeting in the Road Runner Room.
Beginning instruction at 9:30 am.
Flute Circle meets from 10:00 am to 11:30.
We will be playing bass flutes. Come join us.
RECAP: March 23, 2019
- We met and played outdoors on the Power Road side of the library.
- We used the stand up microphone and amplifier with reverb to simulate canyon effect.
- Participants improvised to drum and rattle using the microphone/amplifier sound effects.
- We also played along with several percussion and musical backing tracks.
- Larry and Vickie demo'd the mini-amps available through Blue Bear Music.
- Reminder: upcoming SW Voyager Flute Festival, April 5 and 6 at the Voyager Resort. Free to attend, with donations for performers and workshop instructors
RECAP: January 26, 2019
*Demonstration of portable personal flute amplifier from Blur Bear Flutes.
*Discussed webcasts from Clint Goss; the book "Effortless Mastery" by Kenny Werner; and whether we consider ourselves to be 'musicians'.
*Performed improvisations with drum/rattle and duets with high/low playing 5th apart interval flutes, i.e. D - G, E - A, F# - B.
*Everyone played to jam tracks from Clint Goss and Jonny Lipford.
*Next Flute Circle (2/23/2019) meets in the Study Room and we will be playing outside of the Red Mountain Library.
RECAP: May 25, 2019
UPCOMING: August 24
We will be playing Leonard Cohen's Halleleujah with guitar.
We will improvise to simple guitar chords and steel tongue drum.
Beginners at 9:30. Everyone at 10:00 to 11:30
RECAP: April 27, 2019
- Talked about the SW Vogayer Flute Festival, what attendees enjoyed and learned.
- Discussion of flute maintenance.
- Participants had the opportunity to play the full range of High Spirits bass flutes along with mid-range and high range flutes, improvising to drum and rattle.
- Also, some participants played the double E bass flute.
- Demonstration of F# kestrel with singing bowl and drum.
- Demonstration of the versatility of the C flute.
- Discussed upcoming plans for playing Holiday songs at the library.
RECAP: December 22, 2018
*Everyone shared where they are on their flute journey and what want to accomplish.
*We discussed wetting out and what a player can do.
*We discussed the upcoming workshop and concert in Tucson with Odell Borg and Travis Terry on January 19.
*Jim pointed out that Arvel Bird will be at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
*We spent a little time on beginner basics.
*We discussed exploring sounds in and out of the chromatic scale, mode 4, pentatonic, relative major scale
*Gave examples of meditative playing.
*Group played high and low duets with drum and rattle.
*Some members played Christmas songs solo and duet. Kim played improvised scale song. Myrna played a jazz solo featuring blues notes.
*Group played to rhythm backing tracks and Jonny Lipford blues backing track.
*Demo'd HAPI tongue drum. Some of the group experienced HAPI drum and facilitator's personal flute collection.
UPCOMING: May 25, 2019
Red Mountain Branch Library
We will be meeting in the Road Runner Room.
Beginning instruction at 9:30 am.
Flute Circle meets from 10:00 am to 11:30.
Join us for improvisation techniques and meditations playing. Check out all of Clint Goss's monthly flute casts. December 2018 is about chromatic scales.
See other links below.
Watch this page to see what you missed or what you can expect at the next Red Mountain Flute Circle.
UPCOMING: July 27, 2019
Red Mountain Library 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Beginners at 9:30. Circle at 10:00 am
Bring your A, G and F# flutes or whatever else you have.
We will continue improvising. AABA Clint Goss, Standing Elk Song,
UPCOMING: March 23, 2019
Red Mountain Branch Library
We will meet in the ThinkSpot and move outside to play with microphone and jam tracks- weather permitting.
Flute Playing Basics in the ThinkSpot at 9:30 am
Flute Circle starts at 10 until 11:30 am
UPCOMING: January 26, 2019
Red Mountain Branch Library
Native flute playing basics at 9:30 am.
Flute circle from 10:00 to 11:30 am.
There are 3 native and traditional songs we would encourage you to practice on your native flute.
1) Amazing Grace is the unofficial anthem of the Cherokee nation from the Trail of tears. Lots of videos are available on YouTube.
2) Traveling With The Ancestors with Jan Michael Looking Wolf a traditional native song.
3) Standing Elk Song by Jan Michael Looking Wolf as a tribute to his uncle.
FLUTE CIRCLE UPDATES
UPCOMING: September 28
We will continue improvising and composing. Bring your own song(s) to play for the group.