Modern Guide to Fingerings for the Flute (Paperback)

~ James J. Pellerite (Author) "An advanced flutist has reached that performance level because of the extreme sensitivity with which all facets of flute technique have been applied..." (more)
Key Phrases: Multiple Trill Converging, Perfect Fifths, Trill Upper

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

One of the most complete guides for the flute ever published! Covers basic fingerings, trills, tremolos (3rds through octaves), quarter-tones, multiphonics. A unique reference book for studio and classroom by James J. Pellerite, Professor of Flute, Indiana University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.; 2 Rev Enl edition (January 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882844490
• ISBN-13: 978-0882844497
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #689,411 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for any flutist, July 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Modern Guide to Fingerings for the Flute (Paperback)

I keep two copies of Pellerite's book handy. His charts cover the gamut from the basic fingerings to harmonics, trills, tremelos, quarter-tones, and special effects. This is a book that can take flautists from the beginning stages to their professional debuts!

Karen Stafford, Editor of Flutes and Flute Playing for Suite 101.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 62 Pages of Fingering Knowledge Gold That Lets You Master Any Playing Situation, January 18, 2008

By	Teresa Bolen "Flutist and Performance Empower... (Kansai, JAPAN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's worth your time to invest in learning from a master! James J. Pellerite's classic, A Modern Guide to Fingerings for the Flute is still the definitive guide to flute fingerings, crammed with essential information that isn't available anywhere else. He writes from a wealth of experience as both performer, now retired solo flutist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and as Professor of Flute (now retired) at the Indiana University School of Music. He has performed and given master classes all over the world, including Japan, and has numerous solo recordings. Some of you may be familiar with his work on the Native American flute as well.

The guidebook is beginner friendly in the visual representation of the fingerings, but goes far beyond what is available in most fingering guides found in flute pedagogical texts, giving the flutist essential information to allow you to achieve any technique a composer could write for you to play and allow you to reach the highest levels of achievement on the flute.

It includes the basic fingerings for the full range of the flute, with multiple fingerings and concise explanations of the differences and advantages of those fingerings and how they are best used. Beginning flutists will also find trill fingerings especially helpful.

Beyond the basics, James Pellerite covers tremolos: the major and minor thirds, perfect fourths and tritones, perfect fifths, sixths, sevenths, and octaves. There is a chapter on altered fingerings - fingerings that can be used to deliberately change flute timbre, transparency, raise pitch, and aid with playing in extreme dynamics. These can add greatly to the flutist's tools for interpreting of music.

There are fingerings for quarter tone and quarter tone trills, which can open many doors for playing music by contemporary composers and playing world music. Also, for the flutist interested in pursuing multiphonics, there is an extensive section for playing 2, 3 or 4 note chords on the flute.

A Modern Guide to Fingerings for the Flute is written very intelligently and concisely. James Pellerite gives you a deep understanding of fingering technique with an economy of words. This is of great importance for performing musicians who are seeking information and don't want to be distracted by wordy or lengthy discussions.

If you are serious about the flute, A Modern Guide to Fingerings for the Flute is an essential tool.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for your bookshelf or backpack, February 1, 2006

By	Zoey McWilliamson (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

If you play the flute, consider this book THE industry standard. This is not a book that you should skip buying. If you want to progress past the intermediate level, there are certain practice materials that you must have, and this book is one of them.