Introduction
T
he flute is a universally popular instrument that’s been around for thousands of years. And, of course, it’s popular: Who wouldn’t want to play the flute? It’s a beautiful instrument, visually and sonically. It looks as exquisite as a piece of fine jewelry, especially when it’s crafted from silver, gold, or platinum. (See Chapter 3 for more on materials used in flutemaking.) It produces a pure sound that’s perfect for playing slow, languid melodies, but it has the capability to execute rapid virtuosic passages at lightning speed. Its classical repertoire represents all periods of music, from early Baroque to Contemporary. (See Chapter 14 for more on periods in classical music.) It’s at home with jazz, rock, and many other musical styles. And it’s eminently portable, to boot. No wonder so many people play the flute. And with this book, you get expert guidance so that you can hone your flute-playing skills and enjoy making music for many years to come.
About This Book Flute For Dummies takes you through everything you need to know to prepare for and play the flute, from buying your first instrument to how-tos on playing, practicing, ensemble playing, and caring for your instrument. Whether you’re new to the flute or you’ve played before and want to brush up on your skills, this book is for you. No previous experience is required; I take you through everything you need to know, step by step, from before you even open your flute case through playing even the most challenging music in the flute repertoire. I share lots of handy insider tips, many of which you’ll find useful even if you’ve already been playing for some time. No matter what your level of experience, I give you lots of helpful advice on everything from sound production and your practice routine to finger technique and choosing the right exercises and pieces for your level of playing. Here’s a brief overview of what you’ll find throughout this book:
✓ Step-by-step instructions: Whenever you’re learning a new skill or trying out an exercise to build on what you already know, I give you clear, numbered steps to follow, with plenty of understandable, jargon-free language so that you can be sure that you’re getting the most out of this experience.