Flute lessons for Music Majors

Dr. Nicole Riner

 

Course Objectives

The goal of flute instruction is to develop all aspects of flute playing - including interpretation, tone, technique, and performance - through studying a variety of repertoire, etudes, tone studies, technical exercises, and orchestral and chamber repertoire. You will be encouraged to develop critical thinking/listening skills in order to analyze and improve your playing.

 

Attendance Policy

If, for illness or some other unavoidable circumstance, you are unable to attend your lesson, you must notify me immediately so that we may reschedule. A make-up lesson will be scheduled to take place before the end of the semester. If you do not notify me 24 hours prior to your absence, no make-up lesson is required (though one may be granted at my discretion). Two unexcused absences will result in the lowering of your final grade by one letter (from an A to a B, for instance); three or more such absences will result in a failing grade. And please be on time for your lessons, as well; if you are more than 10 minutes late, you may find that I have left (and this, too, constitutes an unexcused absence).

 

Materials

Please obtain all required music and other materials as soon as possible. Photocopies are unacceptable as a permanent substitute for assigned repertoire. I would encourage you to take advantage of the music library here on campus; it may have what you need. If not, Eble Music (www.eble.com), Little Piper (www.little-piper.com) and Flute World (www.fluteworld.com) are excellent sources for ordering music quickly. Please try to have new music by the following lesson after I have assigned it. In addition, please obtain a notebook to be used for flute lessons only. Bring this notebook to each lesson and studio class; it will serve as a means of communication, a place to keep important notes, and as a reminder of upcoming assignments.

 

It is also imperative that you are playing on a flute which works properly; I cannot, and will not, spend the time to repair mechanical problems during your lesson. The Repair Shop in Fort Collins (970-493-2806) can usually get things done quickly. For handmade flutes and specialty pads, call Sherry Lee in Grand Junction (970-242-9364).  Please get it done before you see me.

 

 

Lesson Preparation

You are expected to prepare for each lesson to the best of your ability. Preparation includes not only learning notes and rhythms, but developing a musical interpretation for the piece, translating foreign terms, learning general information about the piece and its composer, and listening to recordings of the work when possible. You are, at all times, a thinking musician. If at any time during your lesson it becomes painfully clear that you have not spent the time to prepare, you will be asked to leave. In order to progress in a timely fashion, I suggest the following practice time table as a guideline:

BM Students

1 hour: long tones and tone exercises

1 hour: scales/chords and etudes

1+ hour(s)*: repertoire and excerpts

BME/BA Students

45 minutes: long tones and tone exercises

45 minutes: scales and etudes

45 hour: repertoire/ensemble pieces

(*During semesters in which a recital will be given, plan to spend more than one hour daily on repertoire.)

 

If at any time you are feeling overwhelmed or underwhelmed, please tell me and we can discuss ways in which we can tailor your lessons to better meet your needs. I encourage you to ask questions and voice concerns throughout your educational career.

 

Attendance at Recitals

There are many flute performances scheduled throughout the year; you are required to attend each one of them unless they conflict with other university or professional obligations. If you are unable to attend a recital, please notify me beforehand. I will post all performances on the website at http://nicoleriner.pbworks.com/UW+studio+performance+schedule; you are responsible for finding me at the event. If for some reason you cannot find me, please bring a program from the performance to your next lesson. Failure to attend recitals without a valid excuse will lower your grade by one letter.

 

Scales

All freshmen and sophomores will take scale exams, which will take place in the last lesson of each term. Your scale grade will count for 10% of your total lesson grade; failure to pass (less than 60% correct) any given semester’s worth of scale material will require the student to repeat that exam in the following semester. Please see the Scale Requirements on this website ( http://nicoleriner.pbworks.com/scale-requirements )for details.

 

Juries

At the end of the semester, you will have the opportunity to put into practice all of your newly developed flute knowledge. Performances will last 10 minutes or less (20 minutes for the sophomore barrier) and will consist of a prepared piece performed with piano accompaniment; you will be required to bring your pianist into your lesson a minimum of two weeks before the jury performance. All juries will be graded by the woodwind faculty. In preparing for your juries, please keep in mind the following:

 

*The jury is a chance to do what we all work towards as musicians: perform. It is not meant to cause pain in any way, but rather provides a cumulative goal for instruction and an audience on which to test your ideas.

*Your jury grade is only a portion of your final grade; if you have worked diligently during the semester and have shown progress, you have nothing to worry about.

 

Pianists may be requested from Dr. Rubia Santos in the piano department (please visit her office for details) or hired locally. A list of freelance accompanists will be made available within the first month of classes.

 

 

Grades

Grades are based upon the following criteria (in no particular order):

1.Improvement

2.Amount of repertoire prepared (timeliness of progress)

3.Attendance and preparation for lessons

4. Scale tests (10%) until all levels are passed

5.Jury performance (musical quality, artistic level)

 

Welcome aboard – I look forward to working with you!

 

***Disclaimer: If you experience any kind of learning or physical disability which might impede your ability to learn, please notify all of your teachers and the Disabilities Office immediately so that we can accommodate your needs.