AMANDA MARKWICK

HISTORICAL FLUTIST

Concerts, Masterclasses, Coaching

photo credit: marcel sahlmen, musikfest eichstätt

Whether you are playing the flute just as a hobby, or you have auditions and exams coming up, playing your instrument should be fun. I like to keep lessons lighthearted. Students will certainly enjoy themselves, yet they are also expected to do their part by practicing between lessons – good practicing leads to more solid technique, which leads to more musical possibilities, which of course leads to much more fun!

Lessons

  • Lessons can be 30, 45, or 60 minutes long.
  • Lessons are given weekly, except on public and school holidays.
  • Lessons fees are paid monthly, preferably by Dauerauftrag. Adults can buy single lessons or a flex-card of 10 lessons.
  • Lessons generally take place in my studio, in Kreuzberg (Berlin). Skype lessons are also possible.

Lessons are tailor-made, so the following information about materials  is just to be used as a guide.  Feel free to contact me before you make any purchases, or if you have any questions about instruments and music you already own.

Instruments

Students are expected to buy or rent their own instruments. Die Holzbläser in Berlin has great rental plans for modern flutes- search under ‘Mietkaufsystem.’ Björn Kempf in Berlin also rents and sells flutes, including from his beautiful collection of restored historical and modern flutes.

I am more than happy to advise on models and makers if you like.  To get you started thinking:

Modern Flute: Yamaha, Jupiter, and Azumi make respected modern flutes, and they are readily available at many music stores.  We can discuss model numbers based on your level and experience.

Traverso: Here is a post I’ve written about this very topic.  Choosing a traverso always depends on what you are interested in doing with it. Have a look at the instruments by the makers listed on my links page and read their descriptions of the instruments and music they were written for. If you are just beginning and looking for an all-around Baroque flute for music no later than Bach, I’d recommend an instrument in A=415, copied from an original of 1740 or before. We can certainly discuss your interests and wishes before you buy anything.

Renaissance Flute: Like choosing a traverso, choosing a Renaissance flute also depends on what music you are planning to play with it, and with whom.  There are so many questions associated with the Renaissance flute and its repertoire, that I have co-written (with Kate Clark) an entire book about it, which you can order here.

Books and Methods

Books and methods will depend on the age and level of the student. I will generally recommend two or three books to get started, and then we can choose more music based on your personal interests.  Below is an idea of what books I like to use, but let’s definitely discuss your personal situation before you make any purchases.

Recommended for Modern Flute

For children and young learners

      • Magic Flute series, by B. Gisler-Haase and F. Rahbari
      • Flöte Spielen, by E. Weinzierl and E. Wächter

For more advanced learners

      • A flute fingering and trill fingering chart, available online or at music stores
      • Practice Books for the Flute by Tevor Wye
      • 17 Grands Exercices Journaliers de Mécanisme pour Flute, by Paul Taffanel and Philippe Gaubert

Recommended for Traverso

      • See my post for Beginner Traverso Players
      • New Method for the Traverso, by Doretthe Janssens
      • Method for the One-Keyed Flute, by Janice Dockendorff Boland
      • 15 Easy Baroque Pieces for Flute and Keyboard / The True Art of Baroque Flute, for Flute and Keyboard. Frans Vester, ed. Universal Edition, UE 17669 (especially for traverso beginners)

Recommended for Renaissance Flute 

Sound interesting? Please contact me for more details about lessons: [email protected]

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