​​​​​​​Song-Within   

Interactive Workshop & Classes

Native Style Flute

Featuring High Spirits Flutes and Accessories

                                PLAYING YOUR NATIVE STYLE FLUTE

1. Learn the sounds of your primary flute. Use a tuner (download onto your phone) to adjust your breath and dynamics (sound level). Feel the notes as you play them.
2.  Practice scales for dexterity and finger control. Use a metronome to improve the coordination of articulated sounds (tonguing techniques). Play scales forward and backward with eyes closed.
3.  Experiment with alternate fingering (cross fingering) and modes 1 and 4. This will develop muscle memory in your fingers.
4.  Put improvised sounds together into a form using repetition of phrases, a chorus or middle section, and returning to the original phrase, usually ending on the root note. Examples: scale song format, AABA format.
5.  Work on pauses, extended notes, and embellishments (trills, grace notes, bending).
6.  Develop your vibrato.
7.  Listen to native flute artists for inspiration. They started at the same place you are and use the same type of instrument that you have.  Record and listen to yourself on your cellphone using an audio recorder app.
8.  Learn to read and write tablature, in whatever format you choose.
9.  When playing a popular song from a songbook, or tablature downloaded from web sites, play it as written until you feel comfortable with it. As your style develops phrasing, accents, embellishments, and vibrato will appear without conscious thought on your part.
 10.  Play your flute often, have fun, and never preface your playing by stating that you are not a musician.