Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Friday, May 6, 2011

About Being Successful

One of my friends posted this earlier, and I thought it was the most true, most inspiring, most inclusive statement I have read about success.  Please enjoy!

If successful people have one common trait, it's an utter lack of cynicism. The world owes them nothing. They go out and find what they need without asking for permission; they're driven, talented, and work through negatives by focusing on the positives. -- Mike Zimmerman

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Finding the Time to Practice

Hello All! I've finally gotten another article on my website. Please check out "Finding the Time to Practice". Like it, share it, enjoy it! Thanks!  Finding the Time to Practice

Monday, March 28, 2011

How I Learned to be Successful

I've learned a lot about what it takes to be successful - in learning a particular skill and in life in general.  I think the information I have is valuable, and I want to get it out there so others can use the tools that I've developed for myself. 

The funny thing is, most of what I've learned about success has come from my adventures in learning how to figure skate.  I had wonderful parents and wonderful teachers for the flute, but I also had many, many questions that I didn't know how to articulate growing up.  I was an amazing flutist when I was practicing in my bedroom, but I had stage fright when I played for others.  I was resolved to overcome this because I felt like it really wasn't fair of me to give up on me.  So, my quest for answers began. 

I've learned a lot over the last decade, and now I'd like to help others understand what I know.  I want to teach parents how to work effectively with a child learning a skill and teach the people learning a skill how to use their time and energy effectively.  This includes what to do, how to do it, and what to think in the process.  These are all invaluable tools to success.

Please look for future posts from me both here and on my website: www.FluteInPasadena.com

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Free Music Lesson for Anyone Who Completes my Survey

Hi Guys! I've created a survey for people to tell me a little bit about themselves. You can find it here:

http://www.fluteinpasadena.com/flute-in-pasadena/the-success-survey

I am offering a free music lesson to anyone who completes the survey (current students excluded - sorry guys!). You just have to leave me your email in the comme...nt box of the last question. I hope to hear from you!!Se

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Success Articles

I have now posted 2 articles on my website about what I believe makes people successful. I would love feedback! Do you agree? Do you think there are other key characteristics of successful people? What are some of the things that have made you successful?

www.fluteinpasadena.com

Thursday, March 24, 2011

I am Performing....

Hi guys! Please come out and support my wonderful friend Carina! She's an amazing artist!! I'll also be performing throughout the night. The show is by reservation only, so if you would like to go, please let me know asap. I hope to see everyone there!! =xY0DLtsh5k4&feature=player_embedded

Inspiration from Will Smith

Here is a video in which Will Smith shares his keys to success.

Hope you enjoy!!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

New Blog on Success

Goodness - if I keep writing one day later every week, I'm going to lap myself! Well, my new blog is finally up - more about success - I hope you enjoy it!! www.FluteInPasadena.com
www.FluteInPasadena.com
Last week I wrote about 3 concepts that will put anyone on the road to success: do the hard stuff, stick with it, and be ready to fail. This week, I am going to add 3 more concepts that will ensure success on the flute and in life.

Quick Flute Tip

If you are not happy with your tone, relax your lips and throat and allow the sound to come from inside of your chest.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Friday, March 11, 2011

My Musical Cat

We have discovered that when Jeff whistles, Chaminade (my cat) sings along. She even reaches for his mouth with her paw. Soooooo cute!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

On Genius...

I saw someone else post this a couple of weeks ago and just loved it.

"Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid." ~Albert Einstein

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Look Where I am! :-)

This is coming up on the first page of a Google search.  I did not create this site; it was compiled by an unknown 3rd party!  http://flutelessons.bestmusicpoint.com/tag/pasadena-california/

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

My blog on Debussy's Syrinx

My blog on Debussy's Syrinx is now posted. There is also a recording I did of the piece on Sunday and a lovely picture of a Pan flute :-). www.FluteInPasadena.com - I hope you enjoy!!

Ever have an "off" day?

Don't worry!  Everyone has days where practicing doesn't go well.  Try to make it count anyway!  Narrow down your goals, and concentrate on one specific thing you'd like to accomplish.  Be creative with how you work on it.  Promise yourself that you will feel good for doing the work.  Then, reward yourself when you've completed your task! :-)

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Debussy's Syrinx

I will be posting a blog on Debussy's Syrinx sometime tomorrow.  It will be complete with a recording of the piece that I made today.  Please be on the lookout!  www.FluteInPasadena.com

To Play Music

I love how music goes from being notes on a page to a world of stories and color - ahhh, the human element!  Visit www.FluteInPasadena.com for more.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Passion

What motivates you?  Find what your passion is, and use it to drive yourself to succeed in all of your endeavors.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday Peoples!  What's been the highlight of your week so far? 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Go Do It!

Hi Guys!  If there is something you want to do in life, get out there and do it!  Go find a class or a book or a way to make it happen.  Be bold!! :-)  <3, Stephanie

Monday, February 28, 2011

New Teaching Blog

Hi Guys! Please check out my latest blog "My Teaching Life" on my new website - FluteInPasadena.com - I would love feedback on the site!! Thank you :-)  "www.fluteinpasadena.com" FluteLessons

Flute Tips

Some tips for fellow flutists: if your flute's keys are noisy, if your low notes are not speaking easily (if you're having to "pop" your middle finger for them to sound), or if anything sounds fuzzy or feels funny, take your flute to be repaired. You press your keys literally hundreds of time a day, and mechanisms fall out of alignment. Have your flute checked annually to keep it playing it's best!!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Good Girls...

Here is one of my favorite quotes, "Good girls never make history." ~Laurel Thatcher Ulrich  Think about it :-).  <a href="www.fluteinpasadena.com">FluteLessons</a>

Monday, February 21, 2011

Day 7

I have nothing new to report with the flute today.  Practice was great!  The one thing that has been consistent with this instrument is that it takes A LOT of air!  I'm looking forward to having my Muramatsu back soon!!

New Website - Please Take a Look!

Hi Guys! Please go to FluteInPasadena.com and read my new blog, then click "like" at the top of the page so others will know about it too. I hope you like it! Comments would be appreciated.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

New Website: Introducing Me

Hi Guys! Please check out my new site, fluteinpasadena.com, with my first blog "Let Me Introduce Myself" - I hope you love it!!

Practice Makes....

One of my student's moms just attended a teacher conference - one of their biggest messages: "Practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes permanent."  So, when you begin your practice session, make sure you have vivid goals in mind of what you intend on accomplishing.  Otherwise, you may end up with more errors than you began with!

Old Flute Update 2

Days 5 and 6 with my old Yamaha - things seem to be going pretty smoothly now.  The biggest problem I am having is that my hands get tired really fast because the action is so stiff.  I'm also trying to compensate for leaks.  Can't wait for my Muramatsu to come home!!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Old Flute Update for the Day

Day 4: My 50 yr. old Yamaha is really singing for me now - it's like getting reacquainted with an old friend.  I think I will look into having it overhauled as well.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Old Flute Update

Day 2 with my old flute was fun for me.  I've been working on creating a smaller embouchure hole in the 1st octave, and this flute demands it from me.  Day 3 I'm beginning to get comfortable with the flute's quirks and nuances - but, ugh, darn the leaks!  This is fun!!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Old flute

Ever go back and play on your old flute?  My first flute was a Yamaha that is probably 50 years old now.  It needs some minor repair and adjustment, but it will be my only flute for the next week while my Muramatsu is getting its overhaul.  Day 1 with the flute - the action is much, much stiffer and the tone hole is smaller.  It will be an interesting week!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Congratulations!!

Congratulations to Alicia, Janet, Audrey, and Kathleen for a great job on their flute presentations today!  Pictures and videos to come :-)

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

New Flute!!

The Azumi flute (made by Jupiter) has a unique curved neck design that maintains the integrity of the flute's balance.  If you have small children looking to learn the flute, ask me for details!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Understanding Tone Production on the Flute in Easy Words


Flute is one of the most difficult instruments on which to produce a good tone. This is because the flute is the only instrument that relies solely on the performers ability to direct his or her air column accurately and simultaneously continue to create space in their body for the sound to resonate. The other wind instruments have mouthpieces or reeds to guide their air, and the string family has a bow and resonating box that assists tone production. Understanding 3 basic principles will help beginning and intermediate flute players to both improve their tone on the instrument and make good tone a consistent part of their playing.

The first principle of good tone is to get as much of your bottom lip on the lip plate as possible. Draw the corners of your lips forward so that they are hugging the lip plate. Do NOT pull them back in a smiling position. Bringing the corners of your lips forward creates more space in your mouth, therefore contributing to the size of your “resonating box”. Your resonating box consists of your sinus cavity, the space in your mouth and throat, and the chest cavity. This simple act also allows you to engage all of the muscles around your mouth area, which will give you more strength and flexibility when you attempt to change octave

The second principle of good tone is to understand register production. The flute is capable of playing comfortably in 3 registers – low, middle, and high. It is the direction of your air column (the stream of air you are blowing over the tone hole) that will produce the register you are seeking to play. This should be the primary way you change your register. If you blow your air down, or more directly into the tone hole, you will produce the low register. The middle register is produced by blowing your air straight out across the tone hole (a parallel line from the hole you are making with your lips), and the high register is produced by directing your air column up, like you are trying to blow a bee off of your nose. Other factors will contribute to the production of the different registers, but they should not be your primary focus because you will find that they all have their primary functions. For example, if you increase the size of the hole you are making with your lips, you will find the low register, but you will have also affected the color and pitch of your tone.

The third principle of good tone is to play with good, relaxed posture. Remember, the flute requires the performer's body to be its resonating box. Therefore, a flutist must sit up straight in his or her chair, or stand tall, when playing. Also, the flute requires the left arm of the player to reach across his or her body. A flutist must always to remember to keep his or her shoulders square so that this arm does not decrease the size of the box around the lungs. The performer should attempt to play with as little tension in his or her muscles as possible so that tightened muscles do not inhibit the ability of the body to vibrate.

Of course all of these flute techniques take practice and time to master, but with careful attention, determination, and practice, every flutist can play with the beautiful tone he or she desires.