Notes On Flute : Helen McGarr plays Ballade by Frank Martin

[MultiGakka]

Is this a master piece? Right?

[kongabeatz]

i like your intonation at the beginning, kind of graduating into the notes, this is how i'm trying to do it. I'm not getting so loud until the ff part though haha

[MultiGakka]

@kongabeatz she plays it right

[jazzflutist]

I would say interpretation and expression are faultless. For embouchure: you can put the lip plate covering about a third of the lower lip (Galway?), or you can tuck it right into the crook (hollow) of the chin (Nina Perlove). I prefer the latter - lets the lower lip wander loose to do whatever it wants. Helen is a stunningly good player - about the best you'll find on this fair earth.

[OoMrBenoO]

How useful is the C# trill key?

[dorivalabril]

I am amazed! this heating is stiffness auta! I would love if I were in that convention ... Bravo Helen!

[dorivalabril]

Gostei muito!muito! Parabéns!!

[KKsporty]

:) REALLY GOOD!!

[dellatino2]

vc é simplesmente maravilhosa! gostaria de manter contato com vc! bjossssss

[2emogurl94]

hey could you tell me how to play the lowest "A "note there is??

[kiele555]

omg that is so cool i m playin the flute but not like that

[mooboocoo123]

HELEN !! BEAUTIFUL !! I loved it :) could you please send me a copy of Demon's Dance from katherine hoover at jesse_corn101 at yahoo. i heard it at your site :D

[MamiYare]

whoaaa flutter tounging on that one part..not many can do that well..u are amazing..its funny because if u thinkk about pieces like these with wierd strange horror key pieces..some of these musicians were drunk and or high..i kno mozart was..had to be haha jk

[OrneryJim]

the beginning of this piece reminds of of prokofiev flute sonata mov. 3

[khashayar44]

wow well done! you're one of the most technicallly accomplished flautists that I've seen thus far on youtube!(Martin's ballad is my favourite piece). You should also try Martin's Sonata da Chiesa for flute and organ. Have you ever thought of giving Jethro Tull music a shot? (considering the fact that you have no difficulty in handling the complexity of Tull pieces).

Sincerely,

Kash

[dolceflutist]

Good for you then. Wonderful playing!

[dolceflutist]

I really enjoy your performance. However, I would like to mention your left hand 4th and pinky fingers seem to have lots of tension because they are unnaturally straight. That usually is an indication of tension. It might cause problem later. Take care it while you are obviously still young.

[emcgarr]

I have tension cause having a camera in my face all the time makes me uncomfortable. I'm a teenager and I get nervous when my dad is filming up my nose haha. I'm always nervous when I play but my fingers have felt fine and I play fine with them tensed. I'd rather have that finger be tensed then my lips and my body.

[fluterific00]

it's good playing, but the sound quality from the camera kind of hurts. But you are very good.

[emcgarr]

i'm not rushing, i am speeding up to add excitement. it's intentional and i was taught to do that in many master classes so i am doing it the way i want and it's right to me. i'm a different player than you amyflutegirl.

[XDPladapussLuvXD]

wow this is amazing! i just started playing the flute at the beginning of this year and i suck :P

[mooboocoo123]

I've been to your website. could you explain your embochure? do you prefer the "nina Perlove" method or the "galway"(concerning embochure)

[emcgarr]

um... i don't really know what method I use? I didn't know there were methods, but if anything I probably have more of the galway embochure. I'm not sure though.

[MercifulMe]

actually, it makes for a really good performer. I;ve had many an adjudicator tell me to record myself

[emcgarr]

um no i dont, my dad was taping me and he did it to try out his new camera. I never film myself practicing. Thank you.

[OrneryJim]

i know!! don't you just hate people that make mistakes!!!

[queenkirara1]

very good keep practicing.

[musicroxmylifex]

yeh i think they do! lol

[powellpicc1985]

Your technique is fantastic. What kind of technique practice do you do on a daily basis?

[hellome423]

when you play do you have you headjoint rolled more out or in?

[boomerutah]

Sorry for the long delay in responding. I keep my headjoint rolled more out. I find my tone is much richer when I roll it out. It has become more natural to me now as well.

[immortalr41n]

lol your playing amazes me

[immortalr41n]

this song is scary LOL but wow wonderful playing. oh and wats the "suzuki method?"

[powellpicc1985]

I don't know much about Suzuki, but I know that players basically learn by ear rather than by reading music.

[jazzflutist]

Yes, I think the Suzuki Method has definite advantages over the "teaching oneself" method. Very nice, and professional-sounding with good attack and timing. Five Stars.

[krnw0n1]

Awesome! I saw you at the MTNA National 2007. I was placed 3rd in your catagory and I heard you playing Liebermann concerto 3rd movement :) I was inspired a lot! I study with Professor Marianne Gedigian currently in Texas. I hope to hear you in the future!

[Painislife28]

very virtuostic. keep it up. now the only place to go from here is to work on interpretation and expression. but like i said, you demonstrate a lot of skill over the flute.

[emcgarr]

i did interpret it and i AM very expressive when i play it. thanks though.

[Painislife28]

well its phenomenal nonetheless

[Dorkmeister9988]

@emcgarr We'll see if you say that in a few years when you watch this video again. you need to learn to take criticism from people who maybe hearing things in your playing that you don't hear.

[crapbag725]

@Dorkmeister9988 where is your video, Dorkmeister?!!!!

[Dorkmeister9988]

@crapbag725 Yeah I'll be sure to post one just for you.. Or I'll just put up a video of Sharon Bezaly instead..

[crapbag725]

@Dorkmeister9988 i don't claim to be sharon bezaly.

[iconsculpt]

amayzing, great playing, please fix the sound

[fatansn]

Nice playing as usual, but there was better sound quality at Flute Camp :)

- Adrian

[hellome423]

WOW!! using my dream flute at only 16!!!!!!! But you really deserve it! You are fantastic!!

[patoccuk]

How many years have you been playing the flute? You play wonderfully. Great job!

[emcgarr]

I've been playing for ten years. I started using the Suzuki method when I was six years old. Thanks very much for your kind comment.

[rsamsonpicc]

This was great! How old are you and who do you study with? You sounded great in this room, can imagine how you'll sound in a hall with great acoutics. What flute make do you play on? That C# trill key is very useful isn't it!

[emcgarr]

This is Helen's dad. She is currently at a Flute camp in Monterey, CA ... and won't have access to phone or email until Sunday night. Here's a quick answer:

Helen just turned 16. Her teacher's name is Laurel Maurer. Search web for her web page.

Helen plays a Miyazawa (model: Boston Classic)

She was recently featured on the PBS TV show "From The Top" live from Carnegie Hall. I'll have her contact you! Thanks for your comments.

[rsamsonpicc]

Only 16 years old! WOW! I studied flute back in the early '80's. I was no where at her level at 16! Good for her! I think she'll be one of the great flute players in the world!