The Flute Suite
Kathy Weidenfeller
Come and explore new perspectives in flute pedagogy and flute practice!
Episodes
Episode 32: A call to Improvise!
Just a quick invitation at the start of the year, to add more improvisation into your practice! Some words of encouragement, and tips to get you started. Enjoy!
Episode 31: Core Strength How recognizing your core values can help you become a better musician and teacher
Practicing is more than technique and tone. As an end of year virtual hug, I encourage you all to practice and explore ideas that can help through the stress and anxiety - like tapping into your core values.
Episode 30 Camilla Hoitenga: Follow your Curiosity
Camilla Hoitenga has worked with some of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. In our conversation we talk about her approach to improvisation, collaborating with composers: in particular her long friendship-collaboration with Kaija Saariaho, and the importance of trusting in, and following your curiosity. I highly recommend listeners to check out her website, and you can find a growing set of masterclasses on Hoitenga's youtube channel. 6:00 Collaborating with Artists: Improvisation 11:10 Collaborating with Composers 13:42 Working with Kaija Saariaho 17:45 Teaching comtemporary music 22:06 Connections to Finland 23:46 Coaching: helping musicians pursue their own path
Episode 29: Laura Raudaskoski Motivating with Community and Collaboration
I hope you enjoy my conversation with Laura Raudaskoski, lector of Flute from the Lapland Institute of Music and Dance. I asked Laura about how she motivates her eager class, in spite of living way up north, a long distance away from most other flute activities in Finland. We talk about teaching, practicing, and motivating students through collaborations and building a sense of community. Laura's lovely puppies also added to our conversation!
Episode 28 Back to Basics Part 4: Tone & Intonation
Here we are at the end of this series - but maybe the foundation of everything. Just some ideas to add to your practice on how to become curious about your tone and intonation. Happy fluting - and please, I'd love to hear how the ideas in this series have changed your own practice.
Episode 27 Back to Basics 3: Technique
Need some help on how to face technical challenges? In this episode I give you some things to think about in your technical practice, how to apply that to challenges in your ensemble and solo pieces, and help you remember the importance of knowing where you are right now (and how that's fine!!)
Episode 26 Back to Basics Part 2: Awareness in Practice
Let me explain how I practice Awareness in my studio and practice room. Examples of how to stay present in the practice room, and how to create a safe space for your students to learn how to be aware and present in their work. Awareness helps us become better learners: more motivated, less likely to cause injury, and that leads to more confident performances!
Episode 25 Back to Basics Part 1: Rhythm
This is the start of a short series on things you can do to find more confidence in ensemble rehearsals and performances. This series is targeted more towards students and adult amateurs- but teachers and ensemble directors stay tuned! Maybe you can pick up ideas, or pass this on to someone you think can benefit. This first episode focuses on how to up your rhythmic confidence. I share some exercises - and mention one great book: A Rhythmic Vocabulary by Alam Dworsky and Betsy Sansby, published by Dancing Hands Music.
Episode #24: What my students have taught me this year
Hi everyone! It's been a while - so I thought I'd share some of the things I've learned from my students so far this year. Thanks to all of you for your listenening and support! Please share The Flute Suite with someone, and review us whereever you listen.
Episode 23 Repertoire Review: Etudes and Performance pieces for young contemporary flutists
In this episode, I'm reviewing some books that I've found useful to introduce students to extended flute techniques and contemporary performance practice. Here's a list of the books I talk about in the episode (Note – this is not sponsored in any way – these are just materials that I've found interesting and helpful!) Musique rigolote pour les jeunes flûtistes (Funny music for young flutists) Ledeuil Éric Beat Boxing & Beyond and Vol.2 Into the Beyond Mary Matthews and Nicole Chamberlain For the Younger Flutist Offermans, Wil Petite méthode des modes de jeu contemporains pour la flûte traversière (Applied and practical method for the principle playing techniques for flute) Sarrien-Perrier, Annick: Papierblüten – Paper Blossoms 24 short pieces for flute:an introduction to contemporary music Gasser, Ulrich Flute Update: New Music for Young Flutists various composers 3 Expeditions pour flûte aventureuse Cycle 1 Ledeuil Éric You can find a more detailed list on the resources page at my website www.kathyweidefeller.com I'd love it if you'd taie a short survey about your interest in an upcoming workshop! And join the discussion at The Flute Suite on Facebook! I'd love to hear what books you are using in your practice or teaching studio!
Episode 22: Finding Space with Laura Lentz
Laura Lentz has given us a new book: The Modal Flute Warmup: Sound Discovery and Color Palette Expansion where she revisits and expands a classic Sam Baron exercise to introduce classical flutists to All the modes, encouraging exploration and discovery. In this conversation, Laura presents her book, and we talk about the importance of finding space in our practice and teaching to allow for discovery. You can learn more about Laura and her book at lauralentzflute.com
Episode 21: Reconnecting: Musings from my summer vacation
Hi everyone! An update during the last few days of my summer break on things I've been thinking about, and a little on plans for the future. I talk in this episode a little about my second passion - photography - and if you're interested in seeing some of my images, you can find them on instagram at kathyweidenfeller (no flute!) I'd love to hear from you! The Flute Suite is on Instagram and Facebook, as am I, kathy weidenfeller, flutist or visit www.kathyweidenfeller.com Would you like to help support The Flute Suite? Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/kathy25562
Episode 20: Enjoy art, Enjoy life, Play the flute, but not too much. With Sami Junnonen
In my conversation with Sami Junnonen we talk about his newly released recording of the Ibert, Jolivet and Rodrigo flute concertos, as well as the power of teachers, music competitions, and the idea of Life as Art, and Art as Life! Flute Concertos / Ibert, Jolivet & Rodrigo is recorded on Resonus Classics: RES 10335 Learn more about Sami at www.samijunnonen.com I'd love to hear from you! The Flute Suite is on Instagram and Facebook, as am I, or visit www.kathyweidenfeller.com Would you like to help support The Flute Suite? Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/kathy25562
Episode 19 Catching up: Flute events from this spring and summer
Hi! Join me for an informal coffee meeting where I catch you up with all the flutey things I've been doing this spring, as well as an overview of Finnish flute events happening this summer, and a sneak peek at some upcoming happenings here in The Flute Suite!
Episode 18: Connections, Communication, Community TFS 1 yr old!
Reflections and stories on communication and community as The Flute Suite reaches the one year mark!
Episode 17: Talking About Practice: Helping Students develop awareness
This is part two of my short series on practicing: How to help your students become more motivated to develop a personal practice. How to move from a 'telling' teaching style towards reflective questioning to develop awareness. The importance of being specific, lowering your expectations, and including movement, space, and awareness in lessons. Reach out – you can find The Flute Suite on Instagram and Facebook, or me as Kathy Weidenfeller,flutist and at www.kathyweidenfeller.com Would you like to help support The Flute Suite? Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/kathy25562
Episode 16 Reflections on Practice: Cultivating Joyful Curiosity
I invite you to reflect on your own personal practice: not so much What you practice - but How you think and talk about it. 3 Pillars of good practice: Cultivating Joyful Curiosity, including Movement and Novelty, and remembering the need for Space and Time. Some of the resources mentioned in this episode: #music_360 #violincase (Hillary Hahn) #justanotherflutist Sophie Dufeutrelle: The Flutist's Way, book III #AmyLikar Reach out – you can find The Flute Suite on Instagram and Facebook, or me as Kathy Weidenfeller,flutist and at www.kathyweidenfeller.com Would you like to help support The Flute Suite? Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/kathy25562
The Flute Suite is Back!
Really nice to be back after a longer than planned break! A quick update and preview of up and coming episodes and other projects! Nice to be back and talking with all of you - I'd love to hear from you as well! @theflutesuite www.kathyweidenfeller.com If you enjoy The Flute Suite, would you consider buying me a coffee! It doesn't have to be much - helps keep the 'lights' on here! Thanks :) https://ko-fi.com/kathy25562
Episode 15: Reflections
Reflections on this fall and the start of The Flute Suite as we reach the end of 2023! Thank YOU for listening! Reach out – you can find The Flute Suite on Instagram and Facebook, or me as Kathy Weidenfeller,flutist and at www.kathyweidenfeller.com Would you like to help support The Flute Suite? Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/kathy25562 And share The Flute Suite with a friend! Give us a rating where ever you listen. Best wishes for 2024!!
Jaana Laasonen pt.2: Developing a life-long relationship to music
Here is part two of the wonderful conversation I had with Jaana Laasonen, flute teacher at the East-Helsinki Music Institute and developer of the Colour Flute method of early-instrumental teaching. 2.10 Challenges in the Finnish instrumental education system 12.00 Our students are our best teachers 22.00 Solfege as a tool for musicianship and composition 27.00 The visual aspect of Kodaly
Kodaly, Karelia and Family - with Jaana Laasonen part 1
Jaana Laasonen is Lector of Flute at the East Helsinki Music Institute, and the creator of the 'Colour Flute' method, part of the 'Colourstrings' family: a method for beginning instrumentalists based on the theories and methods of Zoltan Kodaly. In this first part of our conversation, we talk about the importance of family and folk music in early instrumental education. You can find out more about the Colour Flute method here 2.25 Early musical experiences 9.51 Benefits of working with very young students 12.24 Connecting to Kodaly 22.34 Beginning with new flute students
Nuori huilisti - Young Flutist Festival
Get a taste of the Young Flutist Festival (Nuori huilisti!) organized by the Finnish Flute Association in colaboration with the Juvenalia Music Institute in Espoo Finland. I share clips of performances and behind the scenes comments from organizers and teachers. I hope you enjoy!! @suomenhuiluseura @nuorihuilisti
More than the Flute
Here's a conversation with the lovely Beatriz Machias: orchestral flutist, opera singer and founder of the Tampere Flute Festival here in Finland. In this episode, we talk about teaching, practicing, the possibilities that competition holds for young flutists – and especially being more than your flute! · 1.41 How it all started! · 6.15 Singing and flute playing · 11.00 The Tampere Flute Festival · 19.27 The importance of competitions and the upcoming Finnish Flute Association competition · 23.12 Practice and teaching · 43.41 TFF 2024! For more information about Beatriz and the Tampere Flute Fest, follow: @beatrizmaciasflutist @tampereflutefest You can hear Dr. Pearson talk about the focal dystonia research I mention in Episode 7 of The Flute Suite starting at 15.40
Listening is the most important part! : Annika Gummerus-Putkinen
In this episode, I sit down with Annika Gummerus-Putkinen, flutist, composer, writer and teacher at the Pop & Jazz conservatory in Helsinki. We got to have a wonderful converstaion about the similarities and differences between our approaches to introducing our students to improvisation, and the important role improvisation can play in teaching, and in life in general! Annika is one of the co-authors of the book Free your Playing! A guide to Improvisation You can find Annika on Facebook and Linked In I mention David Doland in this episode – check out his fantastic work on classical improvisation on his website I also want to shout out to Sophie Dufeutrelle and thank her for an interesting conversation we had several years ago on the history of music education in France that has helped me to put the role of improvisation in Western art music into context. Some of those ideas come up in this conversation. You can follow the Flute Suite on Instagram and Facebook
Back to Basics #2 Singing and Playing
Today I'm continuing my 'back to basics' series by talking about how to use singing and playing in practice and teaching. Once again, I've created a companion video to go with this episode, where you can see and hear how I produce and use this effect. You can find the video here. In the episode, I mention John Wion's workbook entitled 'Sing', sold by Falls House Press and Theodore Presser. I also talk about Mattias Ziegler, and you can learn more about him and his teaching at his website Also, for more information on how fixed mindsets affect learning, I suggest this article: Heimhovitz, Kyla, Carol S Dweck, 2017. The Origins of Children's Growth and Fixed Mindsets: New Research and a New Proposal, Child Development, 88(6), 1849–1859. Again, I encourage you to share your clips of performances or practice sessions using singing + playing at #tfsbacktobasics or #tfsimprov2
Creating a Safe Space for Our Students
Dr. Lea Pearson is on a mission not only to help musicians perform freely and without pain, but now, also to help teachers use that information to create a safe space in our studios where students can freely explore and develop their musical selves. We talk about grounding ourselves and our students, being present and aware while teaching, how somatic teaching can help to create a safe space for our students, and so much more! You will also find out that Dr Pearson has a connection to Finland! If you want to know more… You can find Dr. Pearson on Facebook, where she is very active, Including a recently started discussion group on inclusive teaching She is also the founder of Music Minus Pain where you can find her teachings on body mapping, helping musicians learn to use their body in a way that allows them to play freely and without pain. (you can find them on Facebook as well!) Dr. Pearson's article in the latest Babel flute magazine on how teachers can nurture young musicians. And here is the citation for the article Dr. Pearson mentions in the episode; about child-centered teaching throughout Europe: Pozo,J. I, Pérez Echeverría, M. P., López-Íñiguez, G., & Torrado J. A. Learning and Teaching in the Music Studio: A Student-Centred Approach. Landscapes: the Arts, Aesthetics, and Education, 31, 1st ed. Springer, (2022)
Back to Basics #1: Not Long Tones
This week I'm starting a short series where I'll share simple improvisatory explorations you can do in your own practice room, and with your students. Each episode will have a companion video (you'll find the link in the notes), and I invite you to share your own improvisations with us at the general hashtag #TFSBtoB or #TFSimprov. In this first episode, I invite you to dare to explore all the possible sounds you can make on one note (while moving!) - embrace the 'dirty' and 'ugly' and hopefully become more aware of how your whole self affects the sounds you produce on your flute. You can find the companion video to this episode here: https://youtu.be/Kp2kzLqOf_M Please share a short video of your own explorations! You can use the general hashtags above, #TFSimprov1 or #NotLongTones. The Flute Suite is on instagram and facebook. If you want to share your video in a private setting, join us on facebook! We have a private, supportive group where you can comfrtably share your explorations. Please reach out and let me know what you think of this series, and what you'd like to hear more of in the future. And share The Flute Suite with a friend!
Just a quick hello
Taking a break this week - I'll be back soon!
Who gets to call themselves a flutist?
Some summer musings about common themes I see come up over and over in online flute discussion groups. Our online spaces can be wonderful resources, if we know how to make the most of them. I talk about three themes that come up pretty often in discussion groups that might be better addressed in different ways. Thank you for listening! And stay tuned, as I have some wonderful interviews coming soon to share!
The Best of Finland - Summer 2023
Since we're in the height of the summer season here in Finland, in this episode, I share some of the best of what Finland has to offer flutistically this summer. A few concerts from the past few months that have been recorded - you'll find the links below - new albulm releases, and upcoming concerts. Hopefully those of you located outside of Finland will be able to access these recordings, located at YLE-arena, the recording hub of Finland's national radio. Enjoy! You can find Clare Chase's performance of Kaija Saariaho's flute concerto with the Helsinki City Orchestra conducted by Susanna Mälkki here And Niahm McKeena's premiere performance of Kalevi Aho's flute and harp concerto (together with harpist Emmanuel Ceysson) again with the Helsinki City Orchestra, conducted by Osmo Vänskä. Sami Junnonen's recording of the Teleman Fantasies Here you can find a recording of the concert that includes the premiere of Bjørnar Habbestad's performance of Antti Auvinen's new flute concerto: 'Ventilation Beat' The Tampere Flute Festival's website, where you can find links to their social media accounts as well as information on past and upcoming Festivals and other activities. The Finnish Flute Association's website provides some information in English about the Association, and concert listings can be found under the menu heading 'news'. It is in Finnish for the most part (the most important word: Flute = huilu) and for North American listeners – remember here in Europe, we write our dates 'backwards' (day first, then month).
Episode 4: Scaling! playing with scales
I'm sharing some of the exercises I use with my own students to encourage them to play with scales (and learn something in the process!). I've made a companion video for this episode to demonstrate these easy exercizes that you can find here: https://youtu.be/fh4BgfnzHn8 I also mention the flutexpansion's guide to singing & playing, which you can find here: https://www.flutexpansions.com/singing-playing (while you're there, check out all the other cool stuff they have on their site! And make a note of their next workshop, if you want some help) As always, drop me a line and let me know what you think of this episode! You can find us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflutesuite/ and facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5890733031028026/
Why I don't tune my non-professional ensembles - and don't think you should, either!
Flute ensemble directors - this one's for you! I'm going to talk about how I improve my ensemble's intonation without using a tuning note.
Studio visit
In this episode, I'm going to take you on a visit to my own flute studio: I'll give you an overview of the Finnish music education system, and share some of the lessons I've learned from my students this year! I share some examples of how important it is to create a supportive space where students feel safe to bring their whole selves to lessons and rehearsals, and how this can help to create a learning community where formal learning is enhanced by peer learning.
Improvising 101
Looking for ways to add more improvisation to your practice, rehearsal or lessons? I'm sharing a few tips and some resources to help you get started right away. Visit our website: https://www.kathyweidenfeller.com/the-flute-suite/ And send me a message to let me know what you think! https://www.kathyweidenfeller.com/contact/ Links for resources mentioned in this episode: You can find a list of all of Sophie Dufeutrelle's works as well as performance videos on her website: https://www.sophiedufeutrelle.com/accueil/catalogue/ Wil Offermans' works can be found on his website: https://www.wiloffermans.com/composition/ And you can read my dissertation (and accompanying workbook) here: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-329-291-8
Trailer
Welcome! Here's a short introduction to me and this new podcast.