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 [Paperback]

Mark Shepard (Author), Anne Subercaseaux (Illustrator), Paul Horn (Preface)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

  

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 has played flute professionally in a band, as a modern dance accompanist, and as a theater musician. He is also the author of "Simple Flutes," a craft guide.

 

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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

 

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SAMPLE TEXT

 

Question: Should I take lessons, or instead teach myself?

 

Answer: There are advantages to both ways. You may be a person who will benefit more from personal instruction than from reading a book. Or you may be the type of person who needs the deadlines of a scheduled lesson to get you to practice. If you are serious about performing classical music, you will want to become absorbed in a tradition that seems imparted best in a teacher/student relationship.

 

There are also advantages to teaching yourself. Money and/or schedule constraints could be factors. You might prefer the freedom of organizing and pacing your own learning process. Or you might even have trouble finding a teacher with whom you work well, or who can teach you the kind of flute playing you want to learn.

 

Whichever way you decide to go, don't let anyone tell you that you can't learn the flute without lessons.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

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, in The Next Whole Earth Catalog

For those who play, it's an affirmation to continue. For those who've never played, Shepard provides a good compass. --Linda Dailey Paulson, Dirty Linen, Oct./Nov. 2000

From the Publisher

This is a copy of the original 1980 edition, back by popular demand. Though its first publisher let it slide out of print many years ago, the book still has almost a "cult following," in the words of one loyal supporter. We've even heard of a flute teacher from Oregon who knocked on the front door of the first publisher's residence in Los Angeles to demand some of his last copies! So we are proud and happy to make the book easily available once again. (By the way, being a tiny operation, we can't do much in the way of promotion. So we are grateful if you care to recommend the book to friends, as well as to your favorite music store, bookstore, or library.)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Shepard Publications (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938497103
• ISBN-13: 978-0938497103
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Shepard is the author of books on the flute, peace and nonviolence, and simple living. He lives in Friday Harbor, Washington.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shepard's enthusiasm is contagious!, April 12, 2005

By 

J. Gunnarsen (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 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 (Paperback)

Mark Shepard's book has been an invaluable help to me in relearning how to play the flute after a 20 years break. I played in high school and had virtually forgotten everything about playing the flute. It all came back to me through the very relevant information presented in "How to Love your Flute". Shepard's enthusiastic approach to the flute is absolutely contagious. Thanks to Mark Shepard for rekindling my interest.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glad to see this Classic Flute Book Back in Print, August 23, 2000

By 

Monty H. Levenson (Willits, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 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 (Paperback)

I am a maker of traditional Japanese shakuhachi flutes since 1970. Mark Shepard's wonderful edition dates back to the early years of interest in ethnic flutes here in the USA. It inspired a lot of people and has had a "cult following" for decades. Along with his other books on flute construction, How to Love Your Flute has established Mark as one of the pioneers in the field.

Here at Tai Hei Shakuhachi ... we offer resources for folks interested in making their own flutes. I've received calls from people searching for this book even a decade after it disappeared. In no other book about modern woodwinds will you find thorough instruction and extensive knowledge combined with such insight and wisdom. I pushed Mark for years to get this unique resource back in print and am so glad it is readily available once again.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for players of any level, September 10, 2005

By 

Nicole K (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 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 (Paperback)

I purchased this book as a gift for my flute student and found myself reading it before I gave it to her! The history of the instrument is well detailed and there are interesting sections on the different types of flutes around the world. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in flute lore as well as caring for their instrument