How to Love Your Flute: A Guide to Flutes and Flute Playing

A complete guide for anyone who plays the flute or ever wanted to. Use it along with flute lessons or even to teach yourself! This book covers everything you need and more -- selection and care, flute technique, fingering, playing by ear, reading music, flute history, flutes around the world, and modern folk flutes. "How to Love Your Flute" will appeal to all flutists, from beginning to advanced.

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Mark Shepard is the author of "How to Love Your Flute," hailed by Paul Horn as "a model for our times," as well as the craft guide "Simple Flutes." He has played flute professionally in a folk music trio, as a modern dance accompanist, and as a solo theater musician.

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"Shepard has come up with the most unique flute manual I have ever seen. It is direct, complete, informative on every aspect, and -- most important -- comes from the standpoint of pure love and respect for the instrument. . . . [This] book serves as a model for our times, and it is an inspiration for those who want to get more out of life through the joys of flute playing." -- Paul Horn, from the Preface

"Shepard's soul-felt passion for the flute resonates through his book like music. It's a comprehensive guide with something for everyone, from novice to professional, and so well written that it's a pleasure just to browse through it. This book inspires." -- Diana Barich, "The Next Whole Earth Catalog"

"Comprehensive and concise . . . . A highly readable and inspirational guide for flutists of every age and ability." -- Jeanne Baxtresser, first flute, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

"This book is guaranteed to have one of three influences on readers. For those who currently play, it's an affirmation to continue playing. For those who haven't picked up their flute in a while, it's encouragement to resume playing. As for those who've never played, Shepard provides a good compass for beginning your own musical journey." -- Linda Dailey Paulson, Dirty Linen, Oct./Nov. 2000

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CONTENTS

Preface, by Paul Horn
Introduction

Part 1 ~ FLUTE LORE
The World Family of Flutes
The Story of the Western Flute

Part 2 ~ SELECTION AND CARE
Finding Your Flute
Caring for Your Flute

Part 3 ~ FLUTE TECHNIQUE
Embouchure and Breath
Posture
Playing Notes
More About Embouchure and Breath
Fingering Technique
Tuning
Advanced Techniques
Special Effects

Part 4 ~ MAKING MUSIC
Scales and Chords
Playing by Ear
Reading Music
Living Music

Part 5 ~ MODERN FOLK FLUTES
Finding a Folk Flute
Caring for a Folk Flute
Playing a Folk Flute

APPENDIX
How the Flute Works
Miscellaneous Fingering Charts
Reading List

FLUTE BOOKS BY MARK SHEPARD

HOW TO LOVE YOUR FLUTE: A Guide to Flutes and Flute Playing, or How to Play the Flute, Choose One, and Care for It, Plus Flute History, Flute Science, Folk Flutes, and More. A complete guide for anyone who plays the flute or ever wanted to. Use it along with flute lessons or even to teach yourself! This book covers everything you need and more -- selection and care, flute technique, fingering, playing by ear, reading music, flute history, flutes around the world, and modern folk flutes. "How to Love Your Flute" will appeal to all flutists, from beginning to advanced.

SIMPLE FLUTES: A Guide to Flute Making and Playing, or How to Make and Play Great Homemade Musical Instruments from Bamboo, Wood, Clay, Metal, PVC Plastic, or Anything Else. Gives you the basics of simple flute playing, then offers guidelines for making flutes of your own from a variety of materials. It even includes a handy chart for "where to put the holes." "Simple Flutes" is a must for simple flute players and makers!