Flute and Piccolo Masterclass - Questions Answered!

LSO Principal Gareth Davies answers some of your queries in response to his masterclass videos.

Find out how you can play your part at http://youtube.com/symphony

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[ninaflute]

Thanks for answering these questions!

[spaedy4ever]

thanks for answering the tuning question

[ladysilverflute]

i enjoy so much watching you with the orchestra!!

I listened to you once in Germany with the LSO and i dind't know u until that day and i have to say that i discovered one of the prettiest sound i had ever heard! and would like to know if there is any CD or video of you as a soloist (i mean flute concertos or something like that), because would be great!! Thank you very much maestro!

[jazzflutist]

@futureKJN Also try aligning the far edge of the blowhole (the bit you don't put your lips on) with the far edge of the keys (not the far edge of the G# key). Also, try aiming the air to your right instead of the left. Watch Denis Bouriakov by swinging the footjoint away from your body more.

[jazzflutist]

I gather LSO means the London Symphony Orchestra, from London, England (not the one in London, Ontario, Canada). For tuning, try playing to your electronic tuner for a few months so you can learn by muscular memory (if not by ear) where the notes should be and how they sound. You'll note that, as you play, things sound prettier (whether at 440 or 441.5).

[LiveTalkNow]

@piccolily I say get a pearl.

[goingtobe]

hi Gareth

im a composer and i think you would like this Piccolo player.

just write the word FREAKOLLO, and you would get to a piccolo concerto of mine.

enjoy :)

[piccolily]

@razrv3lc

I bought a bundy piccolo about July of last year and after 2 months of high school marching band it started falling apart. I also take VERY good care of my instruments, so I was like WT??? Anyway, I would suggest you invest in a different brand such as Armstrong or Geimnhardt (spelled that wrong)!

Good Luck!!!!

[gwaur]

"Thank you very much to those of you who have sent in videos already, it's been great fun watching you."

You're laughing at auditioners? ;)

[x3AMx]

Piccolo takes a while to get used to--it doesn't come fast. Switching between flute & picc is tricky, they're different, you start to get used to one then you'll start having trouble in the other--it takes time to practice shifting between the two and get used to both instruments because when you're picc, you need to keep up your flute just as much. Plus the effect is totally different when playing with a group, and comes as a shock at first. Really takes time to adjust.

[XEA6L]

pick it up, sure. That doesn't mean that you will be able to play well.

[futureKJN]

When every my tone gets airy on my piccolo or flute i just roll in or out and thats been working for me for over 5 years so yeah good luck :-)