Teaching Practice

To quote Trevor Wye, gtime, patience and intelligent work. All pupils are encouraged to make a regular commitment to their flute practice and are given a balance of both technical and musical tasks to do every week. Great importance is given to posture and embouchure, as these aspects are responsible for the whole working of the body and the sound we make. If we are tense we cannot move with ease and if we are bent we cannot breathe well and support a good sound.

Pupils are also encouraged to join local groups or orchestras, as learning to play in tune and in time, is best learnt by learning to listen and play with others. Socially too, it is more fun to play with others, than always alone. What too is the point of learning if you never want anyone to hear you?

Very small children are encouraged to start on the plastic Yamaha fife, progressing to a curved head flute as they get bigger and eventually on to the normal concert flute.

 

       

6 Year old Catriona started learning on the fife and she is now in senior school and enjoying playing in many bands.

 

The fife being plastic is light, easy to put together and a good starting instrument. It is also hard to damage (perhaps more easily lost!) and therefore doesn’t terribly matter if it is accidentally dropped. The curved head flute is a proper flute and played in exactly the same way as the straight flute. Again, because it is shorter than the straight flute, it is much lighter and less tiring for a young child to hold. Playing a full size flute too early, will encourage a poor hand position and this should no longer be necessary.

 

Joanna at age 10, almost ready to move to the straight head

 

 

       

Olivia started playing fife at age 8 and moved to a curved head flute shortly afterwards. She has been in the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain since 2001. Congratulations!

 

                                    

Neena, Niku and younger sister Maya. Neena and her brother Niku have both played for the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain for many years between them and this year Maya will join them. 

Neena has also played for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland

                                                                  

    

                                            

                                       Jessica has played for three years for the National Children's Orchestra of Scotland

 

 

                                                                                    

Leona and Sarah have only recently started

 

 

                    

Neil started his own Jazz band when he went to secondary school and he is now doing a final 

school year at St Mary's Music School, Edinburgh and playing for the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra.