How to Love Your Flute

A complete guide for anyone who plays the flute or ever wanted to. Use it along with flute lessons or even to teach yourself! This book covers everything you need and more -- selection and care, flute technique, fingering, playing by ear, reading music, flute history, flutes around the world, and modern folk flutes. "How to Love Your Flute" will appeal to all flutists, from beginning to advanced.

 

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Mark Shepard is the author of "How to Love Your Flute," hailed by Paul Horn as "a model for our times," as well as the craft guide "Simple Flutes." He has played flute professionally in a folk music trio, as a modern dance accompanist, and as a solo theater musician.

 

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"Shepard has come up with the most unique flute manual I have ever seen. It is direct, complete, informative on every aspect, and -- most important -- comes from the standpoint of pure love and respect for the instrument. . . . [This] book serves as a model for our times, and it is an inspiration for those who want to get more out of life through the joys of flute playing." -- Paul Horn, from the Preface

 

"Shepard's soul-felt passion for the flute resonates through his book like music. It's a comprehensive guide with something for everyone, from novice to professional, and so well written that it's a pleasure just to browse through it. This book inspires." -- Diana Barich, "The Next Whole Earth Catalog"  

 

"Comprehensive and concise . . . . A highly readable and inspirational guide for flutists of every age and ability." -- Jeanne Baxtresser, first flute, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

 

"This book is guaranteed to have one of three influences on readers. For those who currently play, it's an affirmation to continue playing. For those who haven't picked up their flute in a while, it's encouragement to resume playing. As for those who've never played, Shepard provides a good compass for beginning your own musical journey." -- Linda Dailey Paulson, Dirty Linen, Oct./Nov. 2000

 

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CONTENTS

 

Preface, by Paul Horn

Introduction

 

Part 1 ~ FLUTE LORE

The World Family of Flutes

The Story of the Western Flute

 

Part 2 ~ SELECTION AND CARE

Finding Your Flute

Caring for Your Flute

 

Part 3 ~ FLUTE TECHNIQUE

Embouchure and Breath

Posture

Playing Notes

More About Embouchure and Breath

Fingering Technique

Tuning

Advanced Techniques

Special Effects

 

Part 4 ~ MAKING MUSIC

Scales and Chords

Playing by Ear

Reading Music

Living Music

 

Part 5 ~ MODERN FOLK FLUTES

Finding a Folk Flute

Caring for a Folk Flute

Playing a Folk Flute

 

APPENDIX

How the Flute Works

Miscellaneous Fingering Charts

Reading List