On this post I mentioned the importance of listening when you’re a musical student and shared the idea of doing specific playlists with different goals in mind.
One of those playlists had the purpose of inspiring us to practice and reminding us of the possibilities of our own instrument.
So the lessonface staff invited me to share a playlist designed for inspiring flutists.
After playing the flute for 20 years what are the gems I turn to when I need some boost to keep practicing?
What recent discoveries inspire me to try something new?
1.
Roland Kirk – Funk underneath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYWcpwSKCJ4
This bluesy melody is easy and suitable for beginners. Kirk is a multi wind-instrument player with a lot of enjoyable and easy to listen songs. He also explores the use of the voice and other sound effects on the flute in a great way. I had a hard time choosing just one song from his album “Come Down”.
2.
F. Poulenc – Flute Sonata – 2º movement - Cantilena
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j57GyHVKhRY
A cantabile melody that makes us a bit melancholic and it’s full of poetry. The whole sonata is very interesting but this is my favorite movement. Pahud masters changes in tone colour and adds interest to every little note he plays.
3.
Eric Dolphy – Spring is here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7tzTo3cUZo
Eric Dolphy was a jazz flutist and saxophonist. His aproach to the flute was very peculiar. To me he always sounds free and fierce. His sound is very distinct and he improvises with a lot of energy and rhythmic density. His songs may be hard to assimilate if you’re not used to the style but really give it a try. The sense of freedom and the energy you get from him is really worthy. Here is a good place to start (hey, and the title!). This whole album is very pleasant. If you like him check also on Sam Rivers.
4.
- Piazzolla – Tango’s History – Nightclub 1960
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sztn7Sr3Bx8
Piazzolla needs no introduction. His melodies are always well written and are really fun and inspiring to play. If you want something a bit more simple to start I recommend a flute and piano arrangement of his piece Oblivion.
5.
C. Reinecke – Flute Concerto in D - 1. Movement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4Ea5N1Fh2Q
There are a lot of concerts for flute and orchestra. This romantic piece has some great melodies that stick to the ear. I first heard it when I started playing flute and kept it in my wish list for a few years before I could play it.
6.
Project Trio – Winter in June
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP1y4LJI9Xw
Greg was almost a youtube star among flutists some years ago. He has some great videos on flute beatboxing on youtube. Check on him! The project trio has a lot of interesting albums where they mix some classical pieces, jazz standards and their own compositions. Greg uses a lot of extended techniques as an expressive resource and the way the trio places the flute as an accompaniment instrument is very interesting.
7.
Altamiro Carrilho – Espinha de bacalhau – Chorinho Brasileiro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLwIPMytfsI
Brazil has a great musical diversity. The brazilian“chorinho” is a typical style that usually features the flute, guitar, mandolin and other local string and percussion instruments. This music tends to be energetic and here the flute often plays fast and light melodies. The kind of “birdy” like flute. Altamiro is a well known flutist in this genre, and he also has some didactical material for flute too.
8.
C. Debussy - Prélude à l’après midi d’um faune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9iDOt2WbjY
This impressionist orchestral piece uses the flute to create the mood for a mythological story. The flute has a hollow and exotic sound. The whole piece seems to be always floating above the surface in big waves that makes us sigh. The flute is not the main focus as in every other choice here but this is an orchestral excerpt asked for in many auditions. And it’s one of my all time favourites so I had to share. If you like this one I think you may also like the Debussy’s piece Syrinx for flute solo or the orchestral piece Daphne and Chloe from Ravel.
9.
M. Mower – Piccolo Sonata – Lively
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK3BsEEfPws
The piccolo is like a small flute that sounds one octave higher. This lively and rhythmic movement spreads so much energy! Mower has a lot of interesting songs for flute and piccolo with a lot of jazz and latin influences.
10.
- Piazzolla – Tango nº5 for flute solo – Elen Burr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rg6QGduTyk
Elen is an american flutist I’ve know just last year. She mixed a great song with her own poem in a very beautiful way. I think it’s creative and inspiring. It questions the form, concept and range of music as an artistic expression.
11.
Mc Tyner – Man from tanganika – James Spaulding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCYCtsSG4BY
So you’re listening to jazz music and there comes an unexpected flute solo in the middle. A great one! Many times I went to check who was playing and I found James Spaulding. He played with most of the big names you’ve heard of. I’m now getting to know his projects as a leader. Maybe I’ll add some of them to this list in the future.
12.
Lígia Silva – Blues Connotation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXW6-SQ5KbA
Here is an arrangement I made on the song Blues Connotation from Ornette Coleman. I used elements from the melody to create na introduction and a shout chorus.
Lately I’ve been exploring the use of the voice with the flute to create a two voices harmonic effect. You can check that in other videos online.
Please keep in mind that there is no ultimate playlist. This is a personal choice that reflects only my taste and my story. There may be so many wonderful songs I’d include here, if I knew them already.
Now share your favorites, use my favorites, and do your own selection to keep you inspired.
