Ive been recording myself playing for the past 2 days just for fun and putting the videos up on youtube! The performances are ok, wouldnt say perfect but some input etc would be appreciated!
http://www.youtube.com/sagarflute
Thanks!
Youtube
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
I only watched Burton Flute Sonatina mvt 1 (Dail-up 
):
You should probably move less when you play. I did the same thing as you did and my friends made sure to put a stop to it XD . I understand you get into it, but it can probably help with things like having more air to play in the higher register so you don't pinch.
Otherwise I think this was overall very good. You have a good tone when it doesn't pinch in the higher register.
):You should probably move less when you play. I did the same thing as you did and my friends made sure to put a stop to it XD . I understand you get into it, but it can probably help with things like having more air to play in the higher register so you don't pinch.
Otherwise I think this was overall very good. You have a good tone when it doesn't pinch in the higher register.
-
flutepicc06
- Posts: 1353
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 11:34 pm
I would tend to agree with the comment about movement. It's great to get into the piece, but I got the impression that you were focusing more on the theatrics of the video than on the music. Movement, particularly of the exaggerated sort I saw in your videos can change the position of the embouchure in relation to the flute, and thus impede your playing. You can't expect consistency if the flute's never in the same place. I can't tell if the upper notes were pinched or if it was just the quality of the recording, but it's never a bad idea to be sure you're opening your airway as much as possible. It will increase resonance and darkness. I heard a few pitch issues here and there aside from the mistakes, and I didn't always agree with your choices on vibrato (both speed and depth and where to apply it in the first place), but these are personal choices. Just out of curiosity, some of the videos seemed to be electronically enhanced to make it seem like you were in a concert hall. Am I right to think you did this electronically, or were you just playing in different rooms, or with different equipment? Also, were you playing with a recording of a pianist, or a live pianist?
Ive had masterclasses with professors from nearly all the British Conservatoires and from some international soloists, and they have never pointed it out as being something bad.
I do try and stand still sometimes but to make the piece expressive is much harder and I find the whole music making process quite lifeless, as is watching someone who just stands there and plays. I suppose I could try and cut down on the jerky movements which ruin some notes.
I do try and stand still sometimes but to make the piece expressive is much harder and I find the whole music making process quite lifeless, as is watching someone who just stands there and plays. I suppose I could try and cut down on the jerky movements which ruin some notes.
The burton was semi sight read, I had just looked over the notes a few times, have never learnt it with my teacher etc so choice of vibrato, pitch and mistakes are all due to not actually having thought about any of these things.
And no the recording is not electronically enhanced it is just the natural acoustics of the room and a very good sony microphone.
The piano playing is a backing CD - very hard to follow!
And no the recording is not electronically enhanced it is just the natural acoustics of the room and a very good sony microphone.
The piano playing is a backing CD - very hard to follow!
Overall, I don't mind your movements -- maybe just some of the big huge swoops... those are the ones that don't seem so natural. But the rest don't bother me at all.
How brave to attempt the Enesco with a backing track!!
Nice tone! Enjoyed the clips. (Loved the choice of pieces too!)
How brave to attempt the Enesco with a backing track!!
Nice tone! Enjoyed the clips. (Loved the choice of pieces too!)
Visit [url=http://www.monikadurbin.com/formiapress]Formia Press[/url] to check out my compositions and arrangements for flute and more.
Movement & other criticisms
You do move somewhat more than other flute players, perhaps- but I've listened to the Harty now, and I can't say it detracts from your performance. Very musical and stylish.
Pahud- now HIS jigging around the stage, THAT'S distracting!!!!
Pahud- now HIS jigging around the stage, THAT'S distracting!!!!
-
sidekicker
- Posts: 311
- Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2006 5:58 am
- Location: Scottish-American in Oklahoma
I'm not a big fan of excessive movement either. I watched only two of the videos, but what I saw doesn't fall into the category of distractive movement, IMO. As others have experienced, I've seen much, much, more distracting and overly excessive movements out of some of our "big-whig" flutists while in concert. It's just my opinion, but I'm not sure there would be such criticism on this point if the person in the video were Galway, Pahud, Milan, Robison, Baxtresser, etc.
I also don't necessary agree that such movement might or will lead to other problems. Certainly, a beginning flutist probably needs to start with a basic stand-still as much as possible approach in order to correctly master the mechanics of clear sound production. But to me, a more advanced player who can gracefully move about while still maintaining good tone quality shows a high and rather impressive command over his/her embouchure. Being this flexible, IMO, allows the flutist to produce a wider array of color and minimize potential intonation issues.
SK
I also don't necessary agree that such movement might or will lead to other problems. Certainly, a beginning flutist probably needs to start with a basic stand-still as much as possible approach in order to correctly master the mechanics of clear sound production. But to me, a more advanced player who can gracefully move about while still maintaining good tone quality shows a high and rather impressive command over his/her embouchure. Being this flexible, IMO, allows the flutist to produce a wider array of color and minimize potential intonation issues.
SK