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Have you ever wondered how baroque flute Maestros start their practice day? Here is a short overview of what they mostly do, as presented extensively in our interviews. ... The first thing you do when you pick up your traverso to start the practice day, and why? ... |
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1. Physical connection and mindfulness
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Feel and test the harmony of touch, ensuring a comfortable and intimate contact between your body (fingers and lips) and the instrument.
Observing body posture, head positioning, and a holistic awareness of physicality to play tension-free and feel the flute's resonance and responsiveness, setting the tone for a focused and connected practice session. |
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2. Technical warm-up
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While long notes is the absolute winner, use scales and arpeggios to engage fingers, breath, and explore various registers and tonalities.
By honing in on specific technical aspects, such as articulation, dynamics, and breath control, musicians prepare their traverso for a session of well-balanced playing. |
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3. Musical exploration
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By building daily "preludes", you can cultivate a unique and natural relationship between your creativity and the instrument, setting a personalized and inspiring tone for the practice session.
Starting with tunes that come to mind adds a fun element to the warm-up. |
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4. Instrumental exploration
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Use sustained notes to understand current playing condition, explore harmonics, and test the responsiveness of the traverso.
Start from a comfortable register and move to your extremes from there. |
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5. Personal reflection and rituals
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Take time to acknowledge the life and energy the instrument brings, observe body posture, and engage in "awakening" rituals, such as playing a specific piece or taking time to connect visually with the instrument's craftsmanship, to foster a deeper connection with it.
Reflect on what you are working on and where you are in their practice journey. This thoughtful beginning sets the tone for a responsive rather than a fixed warm-up and practice regime. |
