Making the Grade 1
We all know that it takes years of study and hard work to learn an instrument to the standard required to play in the LSO. We are lucky to have some of the world’s best musicians in our orchestra. So...
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All of a flutter
Here I am in sunny Philadelphia, less than 24 hours after an amazing Tchaik 4 with Antonio Pappano, and Jo Watt’s great masterplan (for professional musicians to humiliate themselves for charity)...
View ArticleAural anxieties
I have been inspired by listening to some flautists on YouTube so since I am here in a room with a lovely resonant acoustic trying to fool myself into thinking I sound good playing long held breathy...
View ArticlePosture and perseverance
I actually put my flute in my hand carry-on for the flight home, mostly because my suitcase was overweight (thankfully Sarah was with me to distract the check-in guy) and I was shoving everything I...
View ArticleMore than mediocre!
Twitter is a useful tool isn’t it? I tweeted that I wondered why I was getting notes out an octave higher on my flute. One violinist responded that I was overblowing, sounds about right since I am full...
View ArticleCalling in the professionals
Took my flute to rehearsal today to great amusement. Actually showed it to Michael Tilson Thomas who commented that it definitely wasn’t bling enough for me, so I think a few crystals will HAVE to be...
View ArticleFlute or lilo, decisions decisions…
Those who have been reading my official LSO blog from Aix (and if you haven’t then shame on you!) will know what the orchestra has been up to this last month in work and play. I did pack my pink flute...
View ArticleMatching your flute with your exam book…
After having a summer pretty much free from any flute playing, I realised the autumn season was upon us and the deadline for entering the Associated Board exams only days away.. my mum, who is a piano...
View ArticleAnd now the end is near…
It has been a while since I wrote a blog about learning the flute for a charity Gradeone-athon, and when I look back at the optimism of the early ones, I do wish I had used my time more wisely and...
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Flute finale…
My accompanist Ed and I had a run through last week and it was a match made in heaven, his bouncy enthusiasm my err.. bling! We commandeered a dressing room backstage at the Barbican and ran through...
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And the results of the ABRSM jury are…
What a tense two weeks! Daily, musicians were posting their results on the Gradeone-athon Facebook page for all to see and remark upon. Some people did amazingly, some only passed and I started to...
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