Flute Playing - My Most Beautiful Hobby Book 1

SKU: PR.114422360

ISBN 9781491133828. UPC: 680160683321. 9 x 12 inches.

Based on an Armenian troubadour song, I WILL NOT BE SAD IN THIS WORLD is a uniquely beautiful work for alto flute (or bass flute) accompanied by a pre-recorded audio track made purely from the composer’s own singing. The result is a fluid interplay between the live flute and the composer’s multi-tracked and processed vocal sonorities. The work was created for Marya Martin’s “Eight Visions” collection (published by Presser), and is now available as a single publication.
I will not be sad in this world is based on the song “Ashkharumes Akh Chim Kashil” by the legendary 18th-century Armenian troubadour Sayat Nova. The song is often played on the duduk, and your flute playing should respond to the ornamentation, intonation, and vibrato of traditional duduk playing.In playing this piece, you will want to be flexible with time: the 32nd notes are mostly notated grace notes coloring the following note, and can be compressed towards that next note for effect. Similarly, the meter should be downplayed: use the pre-recorded part to give you guideposts, and then shape your phrases quite freely around those guideposts.I strongly suggest that you listen to my demo recording of the piece, as it will give an indication of what I am looking for. I have not transcribed every note that I sang on the demo, and similarly, once you feel comfortable with the playing style, you can ornament the melody with some flexibility yourself. The notated turns are meant to indicate places where it is most natural to do some ornamentation.The piece can be played on either alto flute or bass flute. I am hoping for a certain vulnerability in your playing, so choose the flute that will help you most with that. If you are playing in a dry hall, you might consider slight amplification, not for volume, but to allow you to add reverb to your sound. It will then be easier to blend well with the tape part.Optionally, one (or even two) additional flutists may double the lines called “voice” that are part of the tape part. The additional player(s) should play more softly than the soloist, and get even softer as the piece progresses and the electronics take over.* * *Thanks to Marya Martin who commissioned the piece. Many thanks to my friend and colleague Margaret Lancaster, who tried out the piece for me and advised me about notation. Thanks also to the Civitella Ranieri Foundation who were my generous hosts while I was writing I will not be sad in this world.The audio accompaniment and the demo are available for free download from the “Additional Downloads” tab at www.presser.com/114-42236.

SKU: CF.BPS134F

ISBN 9781491158272. UPC: 680160916870. 9 x 12 inches.

QuA(c) verdes son is the Spanish-language version of O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree). Although the Christmas carol is sung in many languages, the translated lyrics are rarely a close copy of the original German text. Instead, each version finds unique ways to explore the beauty and meaning of one of the holidayas most beloved symbols: the Christmas tree. In QuA(c) verdes son, the beautiful lights, fresh aroma, and especially the lovely color of the tree are celebrated. This arrangement of QuA(c) verdes son begins with simmering Latin percussion playing a groove based on a 3-2 son clave. Subdividing this in groups of eighth notes (123-123-1234-12-12-12) will help lock in the time. In the gA 1/4 iro part, the quarter notes should be scraped and the eighth notes tapped. The main melody begins at m. 5. Rather than needing to be overly loud, much of the energy comes from the silences between notes and from the contrast between accents and staccatos. The woodwind countermelody at m. 9 and m. 17 should be smooth and sweet, a further contrast to the punchy rhythms beneath it. The percussion section is featured at m. 26, with a gradual buildup of textures and rhythmic energy. At m. 38 the whole band is back in, driving toward the fun cha-cha-cha ending.
Que verdes son is the Spanish-language version of O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree). Although the Christmas carol is sung in many languages, the translated lyrics are rarely a close copy of the original German text. Instead, each version finds unique ways to explore the beauty and meaning of one of the holiday's most beloved symbols: the Christmas tree. In Que verdes son, the beautiful lights, fresh aroma, and especially the lovely color of the tree are celebrated. This arrangement of Que verdes son begins with simmering Latin percussion playing a groove based on a 3-2 son clave. Subdividing this in groups of eighth notes (123-123-1234-12-12-12) will help lock in the time. In the guiro part, the quarter notes should be scraped and the eighth notes tapped. The main melody begins at m. 5. Rather than needing to be overly loud, much of the energy comes from the silences between notes and from the contrast between accents and staccatos. The woodwind countermelody at m. 9 and m. 17 should be smooth and sweet, a further contrast to the punchy rhythms beneath it. The percussion section is featured at m. 26, with a gradual buildup of textures and rhythmic energy. At m. 38 the whole band is back in, driving toward the fun cha-cha-cha ending.
Qué verdes son is the Spanish-language version of O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree). Although the Christmas carol is sung in many languages, the translated lyrics are rarely a close copy of the original German text. Instead, each version finds unique ways to explore the beauty and meaning of one of the holiday’s most beloved symbols: the Christmas tree. In Qué verdes son, the beautiful lights, fresh aroma, and especially the lovely color of the tree are celebrated.This arrangement of Qué verdes son begins with simmering Latin percussion playing a groove based on a 3-2 son clave. Subdividing this in groups of eighth notes (123-123-1234-12-12-12) will help lock in the time. In the güiro part, the quarter notes should be scraped and the eighth notes tapped.The main melody begins at m. 5. Rather than needing to be overly loud, much of the energy comes from the silences between notes and from the contrast between accents and staccatos. The woodwind countermelody at m. 9 and m. 17 should be smooth and sweet, a further contrast to the punchy rhythms beneath it.The percussion section is featured at m. 26, with a gradual buildup of textures and rhythmic energy. At m. 38 the whole band is back in, driving toward the fun cha-cha-cha ending.

SKU: CF.WF230

ISBN 9781491153741. UPC: 680160911240.

Ever since he was honored 50 years ago as a top prize-winning graduate of New England Conservatory and a Fulbright scholar at the Paris Conservatoire, flutist Robert Stallman has drawn accolades around the world as a performer and recording artist who “dazzles because of his penetrating artistry” (Sunday Times/London). Also known internationally for superior flute editions, including numerous transcriptions that have greatly expanded the repertoire, Stallman now offers flutists an appealing collection of original melodic warm-ups. With The Flutist’s Handbook, he shares his fresh approach to staying in shape and maintaining his reputation for “consummate virtuosity” (Repertoire/France).
PrefaceOne morning many years ago I opened my flute case and suddenly found myself questioning the wisdom of having scales and long tones come first in my practice session. Of course, these are essential to daily practice, but I wondered if there might be a better way to begin the day—with something more melodic and engaging, something to really inspire me.The Flutist’s Handbook emerged from a stream of musical ideas I began to jot down during practice sessions after that “aha” moment. As I worked with them, I noticed a more spontaneous interest in practicing. In fact I even looked forward to starting my day this way. As a result, my work on scales, arpeggios and long tones followed with more enjoyment and focused attention.In creating many of the détaché warm-ups found in Part I, I was drawn to the musical sequences of J. S. Bach, particularly those developed in his keyboard works. Bach had discovered the most satisfying musical patterns on which to build his music, so here was a treasure trove of invigorating melodic material. I also borrowed apt détaché passages from C.P.E. Bach, Schubert, Dvořák and others.Part II includes more musical quodlibets and echos in a collection of fifteen short melodies designed to open and center the tone, while encouraging full breath support. These melodies also concentrate on developing our sostenuto, or true legato playing—the foundation of a beautiful sonority and natural vocal expression. Except for final cadence notes, these warm-ups should be practiced without vibrato, to create an even and seamless instrument, bottom to top.All of these warm-ups are to be played forte and piano in every major key, proceeding chromatically by rising half-steps. Tempo indications are given in the headings, as are optional rhythmic and articulation variants. Suggested breath marks are in parentheses.The Handbook opens with détaché warm-ups for a good reason. It is vital to begin our practice with tonguing, as a clean attack is essential to producing a beautiful tone. Also, in working on tonguing (single, double, triple and tremolando) we stimulate and strengthen the jaw muscles that support the embouchure (which must remain supple and flexible). As we fine-tune these muscles, we gain tonal center and clarity, qualities that may elude us at the beginning of our practice. Of course, we also need to wake up the air stream and deepen our breath support. Once the tongue is alive and the tone is centered, we are ready to work further on our sonority with the melodic warm-ups in Part II.This book is meant for professionals, students and amateur flutists alike. I offer it to all as a companion that invites more pleasure and vitality into our daily practice. It is my firm belief that by aligning ourselves with our love of music and its energizing patterns each day—from the very first moment we pick up the instrument—we will bring more ease and focus into our lifelong task of staying in shape. This in turn will support the heightened inspiration we want to take into rehearsals and performances. Enjoy!—Robert StallmanMarblehead, MassachusettsApril 20, 2018.

SKU: CF.YPS245F

ISBN 9781491159927. UPC: 680160918515.

In December of 2020, after almost a year of living socially distanced, isolated, and not knowing when we would return to life as we knew it, I began to think about what life used to look like. I realized that I sometimes might have taken all the beautiful things in my life for granted. Personally, the year 2020 was a time of loss where someone close to me left, and at the same time, I was also able to have other successes. This dichotomy inspired me to realize that there is hope in all that we do; it is how we perceive life. Boundless Hope represents my thoughts, feelings, and emotions during this time. The piece is roughly based on the Lydian mode, introducing the raised fourth degree in m. 2 of the mallet percussion and then at m. 15 in the main melody. The Lydian mode naturally gives a sense of positivity, hopefulness, inspiration, and heavenly colors. That was my exact intention with this piece: using the mode to define the mood showing gratitude for all that we have, and yearning to return to normalcy with a new and fresh perspective. Measure 30 should be slightly faster, followed by a rit. into the grandiose recapitulation of the theme in m. 38. At m. 45, the wind chimes should start before the clarinet entrance, with the subsequent measures representing dark and warm colors. This piece is very personal to me, and I appreciate you playing the composition.
In December of 2020, after almost a year of living socially distanced, isolated, and not knowing when we would return to life as we knew it, I began to think about what life used to look like. I realized that I sometimes might have taken all the beautiful things in my life for granted. Personally, the year 2020 was a time of loss where someone close to me left, and at the same time, I was also able to have other successes. This dichotomy inspired me to realize that there is hope in all that we do; it is how we perceive life. Boundless Hope represents my thoughts, feelings, and emotions during this time. The piece is roughly based on the Lydian mode, introducing the raised fourth degree in m.  2 of the mallet percussion and then at m. 15 in the main melody. The Lydian mode naturally gives a sense of positivity, hopefulness, inspiration, and heavenly colors. That was my exact intention with this piece: using the mode to define the mood showing gratitude for all that we have, and yearning to return to normalcy with a new and fresh perspective. Measure 30 should be slightly faster, followed by a rit. into the grandiose recapitulation of the theme in m. 38. At m. 45, the wind chimes should start before the clarinet entrance, with the subsequent measures representing dark and warm colors.This piece is very personal to me, and I appreciate you playing the composition.