Hello middle and high school flutists, and their band directors,
We have posted audio recordings of the 2013 All-State audition etudes for flute on a page called "All-State Help" located under the "Media" menu. Hopefully these will give you a head start on your audition, although you should have been working on the materials all summer long!
Beth and I have judged All-State audition recordings in years past. We would agree that it is not enough to know the etudes well. The top forty or so flutists will all play the etudes well. Scales count to a larger degree than you might expect or hope! The top flutists can play their scales from memory, at tempo, in the FBA format, musically and without mistakes.
The good news about really learning your scales is that it sticks with you. Take the time to understand the intervals, the key signatures AND the arpeggios. Record yourself. Listen to the articulation. Did you connect the top note of the scale to the next note in the descent? Does the scale flow logically and easily?
In theory, if you spent one week on each scale and truly understood it, you could play all twelve majors in three months. Not done yet. There are three types of minor scales. And whole tone scales, diminished scales, blues scales, and lets not forget modes.
Scales are music. They are an essential tool to become a better, more proficient musician. That is the very reason that they are required for All-State, All-County, Youth Orchestra Auditions, your own band audition, and college entrance exams.
Take the time to learn them well.
Bill
PS: Piccolo etudes for All-State to be posted soon.
We have posted audio recordings of the 2013 All-State audition etudes for flute on a page called "All-State Help" located under the "Media" menu. Hopefully these will give you a head start on your audition, although you should have been working on the materials all summer long!
Beth and I have judged All-State audition recordings in years past. We would agree that it is not enough to know the etudes well. The top forty or so flutists will all play the etudes well. Scales count to a larger degree than you might expect or hope! The top flutists can play their scales from memory, at tempo, in the FBA format, musically and without mistakes.
The good news about really learning your scales is that it sticks with you. Take the time to understand the intervals, the key signatures AND the arpeggios. Record yourself. Listen to the articulation. Did you connect the top note of the scale to the next note in the descent? Does the scale flow logically and easily?
In theory, if you spent one week on each scale and truly understood it, you could play all twelve majors in three months. Not done yet. There are three types of minor scales. And whole tone scales, diminished scales, blues scales, and lets not forget modes.
Scales are music. They are an essential tool to become a better, more proficient musician. That is the very reason that they are required for All-State, All-County, Youth Orchestra Auditions, your own band audition, and college entrance exams.
Take the time to learn them well.
Bill
PS: Piccolo etudes for All-State to be posted soon.
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