Peter Bartels - Supercharge your Flute Technique

Words by Peter Bartels:

In my usual teaching week I have the joy of working with the youngest of beginners through to advanced tertiary students. Over the years I have noticed there are ample resources for young students and plenty of books for advanced players but not much material to bridge the gap between the two. Supercharge Your Flute Technique is borne from the need to traverse that gap. It contains a plethora of exercises I have created and used over many years, in order for you to Supercharge Your Flute Technique.

The book is divided into seven chapters focusing on different aspects of playing. The first chapter is for the younger player who may be new to focused technical work while the final chapter provides some ideas for the more advanced player to structure their technical practice. In between you’ll discover plenty of exercises on scales, arpeggios, broken chords, chromatics, thirds and even a chapter on practicing difficult passages.

At first glance some of the exercises may appear straightforward but don’t be deceived by this apparent simplicity as they should only be treated as a template for further study. Learn to play them in all major and minor keys adjusting the range, tempi and articulation for your level of playing. You can make the exercises as easy or as challenging as you like.

It is imperative to use a metronome, adjusting the given tempi as required. Articulation patterns are suggestions and a wide variety of patterns should be employed.

By mixing the keys, range, tempi and articulation patterns you can alter any of the exercises to make them your own. Use the exercises as a springboard to make your technical practice varied and interesting. It is worth the effort as the ability to play quickly, evenly and effortlessly enables the player to come out from behind the notes and present their musical message with increased conviction and engagement.

There is no need to work through the book in order. Find the exercises that you like and master them first. Eventually you should aim to learn all the exercises in all keys, at fast tempi, over the entire range!

So good luck and have fun supercharging your flute technique!