Part I

Led by Lady Galway, with Special Guest Artist Sir James joining on 16th April, the sessions this month will offer you a deeper understanding of both the history and development of our flute playing; the instruments we play and the beauty of the French Repertoire of the 20th Century.

The refined, agile and expressive style of the French school championed by players such as Taffanel, Gaubert, Barrère and Moyse, has given us the freedom to develop our own beautiful and expressive tone within our flute playing.  That array of colours, delicate pianissimos, the fluid fingers, beauty of the expressive high register soaring above an orchestra, or filling a concert hall for me, just takes my breathe away and fills every part of my musical soul. 

Just how do we develop this delicacy within our playing?  This is where we come in. 

Sir James, known as the 'Man with the Golden Flute’ exemplifies these techniques.  His unique sound based on singing, correct breathing, secure embouchure placement and flawless finger technique did not happen by magic.

Our sessions will focus on the following: 

• Correct breathing 
• Placement of your fingers & hands on the flute for balance and agility. (see photos of Taffanel in your T & G book)
• Legato tone exercises (Moyse Sonorité and Galway warm-up)
• Playing a tune and how it relates ot our exercises (Taffanel & Gaubert)
• Playing an etude and how it relates ot our repertoire 
• Playing  repertoire and how it relates to it all - the use of dynamics, musical line embouchure movement, listening... 

Following, we invite you to join us to be coached on exercises and repertoire along with your questions.