Katherine Kemler

These notes are from the 2005 Colorado Flute Fair at Metro State University, Denver.

Syrnix - Debussy

Has to have an improv. feel to it.
It must sound like it is floating
Tuning the C#
- Play a low C# and over blow, and then play the correct fingering and listen to see if there is a difference. The overtone should be more in tune.
- Practice an entire piece with the enharmonic fingering so you can hear what it should sound like.
Triplets in this piece.
- each set of triplets needs to lead to the next.
- break into groups to practice
High E, Alternate fingering:
- Play a High E, and then take the pinky off and cover half of the hole on L2 (A key).
- You can also vent the second trill key.
Releases
- In side your mouth you have the change the syllable from "ahhh" to "ooo", push your lips forward.
"The fastest notes should get he most air, which is opposite from what the flute wants to do."

Focusing the sound
- Add an edge by letting the upper lip overlap.
- Don't add to much tension to the side of the mouth
  - Tension in the lips can add air to the sound.
  - To prevent this, you can do whistle tones. These are good because your mouth has to be relaxed.
On the higher notes open your back teeth up, it will add sound and volume.
When performing runs that go high to low, make sure that the low notes are heard just as much as the high notes.
See if you can play the pattern: c, c#, c, d, c, d#... without moving your jaw.

Low notes, focus the air down, top lip overlap a little and push out so you don't go flat.
Legato
1. Smooth Fingers
2. The air between the notes, say you have Bb to D#
  1. Play: Bb, B, C, C#, D, D#
  2. Play: Bb, C#, D#
  3. Play: Bb, D#