Flute 1A
Time: 19:45 - 21:15
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: ME111A
- Dates: 19/09/24 - 05/12/24
- Time: 19:45 - 21:15
- Taught: Thu, Evening
- Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Pamela Pecko Smith
Course Code: ME111A
Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
You will learn how to make your first sounds on the flute, then different notes and tunes. You will also begin to read and understand music notation.
What will we cover?
- First sounds on the head joint
- embouchure; control of the air stream; improvement of tone;
- awareness of posture and breathing; articulation - tonguing and slurring.
- how to read music in the treble clef - pitch and rhythm.
- how to play a tune
- introduction to major and natural minor scales and arpeggios.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- demonstrate the basics of flute technique e.g. embouchure, breathing, tone, tuning
- articulate the notes by 'tonguing' and 'slurring'
- play an octave of notes with good finger technique
- read music
- play rhythmically and in tune
- understand basic musicianship and music theory
- demonstrate basic skills in listening, sight-reading and memorising.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge or experience is needed. The course is for complete beginners and for those who have made a start but want to go back to basics.
You do not already need to read music as this will be taught whilst learning to play. You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English and engage in class discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Demonstration and explanation by tutor
Group work, playing in unison and in two or three parts
Playing individually and with backing tracks or piano accompaniment
Class discussion
To make progress you will need to practise regularly between classes, ideally at least 20 minutes on at least 4 days a week.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students need their own flute and cleaning accessories. Yamaha, Pearl, Trevor James, Jupiter, All Flutes Plus and Just Flutes are all good beginner brands. Here is some important advice on buying a flute [external website].
Please bring a notebook and pencil.
Please purchase your own copy of Malcolm Pollock, Abracadabra Flute3rd ed. (with 2 CDs of backing tracks c.£15 [recommended] / without CDs c.£7.50). You will use this book throughout Level 1.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course leads to Flute 1B next term.
Pam Pecko Smith is a UK-based freelance flutist, vocalist, and music educator who performs in an eclectic range of ensembles. She is a native of the Philadelphia area, where she earned a Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, followed by intensive graduate studies at the Franz Liszt Music Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In 2011 Pam founded The Lodore Trio, a chamber group comprising flute, viola, and piano. The trio’s first album CASCADE was released in 2018, featuring new music by Amanda Lee Falkenberg, and their second album RIVULETS was released in 2022. Pam is also a vocalist, and in 2017 she formed the vintage jazz group Honeysuckle Jazz, which specialises in songs from the 1920–40s. Pam has performed widely throughout the UK and internationally in genres spanning orchestral, folk, film music, world music, and jazz. A dedicated teacher of performing ensembles, she has served on music faculties in private and international schools in Hungary, Portugal, the US, England, Kenya, Turkey, and Poland. She is delighted to be teaching on the music staff at the City Lit.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
