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REMOTE OVERDUBS
If you need or want some top-quality flute and/or alto flute work for your next recording project, I am now available for REMOTE OVERDUBBING!
Visit EXTREME FLUTE - Remote Overdubs for more information!
ONLINE LESSONS
Although I have had extensive classical background, I have been working almost exclusively as a non-classical flute specialist for the past three decades. During that time, I have succeeded in modifying my technique so that it works effectively in jazz and Latin contexts. Accordingly, my technical approach will be of interest and relevance not only to doublers but also to classical flute players who want to cultivate a “non-classical” style.
In addition, I have developed an improvisatory approach that has proven to be remarkably versatile in all of my non-classical playing contexts (which have ranged from flamenco to hip hop!) So, I can also provide useful insight and guidance into developing and improving your improvisatory skills.
The best way to determine if what I have to offer is relevant to your own musical circumstances is to...listen to what I do...For this, you can go to the Bio, Music & Videos and listen to four full tracks (under COMPLETE AUDIO CLIPS, one from each of my latest acoustic duo/quartet/trio albums), which will illustrate my technical and improvisatory styles/approaches.
If you like what you hear, then do not hesitate to contact me for online lessons (or maybe just some online coaching sessions) because I am accessible, wherever you are...whether in Tokyo...or right here in Toronto. (Please note that I have local students who, for reasons of convenience, also choose to Skype with me from time to time!)
My rate is $75/hour and you can reach me directly at [email protected]
(...Thanks for listening!...)
A FEW TESTIMONIALS
(1) "...I have been practicing three of your licks and one of mine in 12 keys in all possible octave ranges. Great work out! Thanks for your enthusiasm, Bill. I’ll be in touch soon for another lesson. I love your approach to learning and teaching..." Carlos del Junco, world-renowned harmonica player
(2) "Thanks so much for a great and inspiring lesson. I really feel as if I now have the tools that I need to work on getting to sound like I want to. You were so helpful. I was going to go home and write down everything that we had talked about in the lesson, but you beat me to it. WOW! Talk about professional! What a great thing to do for students. I think I will adopt that policy as well." Dr. Lisa Lorenzino, Schulich School of Music, McGill University
(3) "I have to say that I learned more with you in 60 minutes than I learned in the last year-and-a-half or two with any of my other instructors!" Jim Day, Palm Bay, Florida
(4) “As an adult player who has taken very few lessons in her life, I was blown away by your teaching approach. Each lesson, I always had a list of questions covering a wide range of topics. Together, we would prioritize them and then work through as many as we could in a couple of hours. As an academic myself, I really appreciate what this takes; that is, responding to a free-flow of questions, off-the-cuff, with no lesson prep. Not only did you do a terrific job but a huge surprise was a lesson summary and practice guide that showed up in my in-box the same day! As just one example of your special teaching approach, you provided me with the insight into how to navigate through a new lead sheet. You took what were often numerous chord changes and stripped them down to fundamental patterns that made improvising much easier. Finally, and really important to me, is the respect and interest you show in an adult amateur player." Lyanne Schlichter, Toronto
(5) "...Thanks for the lesson notes, Bill,...and I’ve already had people comment on my more expressive playing..." John Pagnotta, multi-instrumentalist, Toronto
(6) "Thank you for being such an enthusiastic and supportive teacher. I really enjoy working with you as a student. Hearing you perform is very inspiring too! I can't wait for my next lesson!" Alheli Pimienta, DMA, University of Toronto
(7) "Bill is perhaps less a teacher than a coach. But, as a coach, he always goes the extra distance, taking on my problems as his own challenges. Each lesson focuses on questions or difficulties I bring forward. And after each lesson, I have weeks of work to do! It’s a wonderfully flexible relationship with a coach—and performer—who is genuinely interested in my improvement, first. Also, I was initally dubious about Skype-based lessons. But the theory lessons, with materials sent along beforehand, worked really well. What was more surprising was how well a performance class, based on Bill’s critiquing my own playing, also served. He identified problems, illustrated them for me, and then demonstrated, in his own playing, how I could improve my own." Tom Koch, Toronto
(8) "With three lessons from Bill, I had material to keep me busy for the next year. His attention to detail is wonderful. Plus, his skill at pinpointing what needs to be worked on is amazing. Finally, a jazz teacher who knows the details of flute playing and the idiom of jazz. Also, he is wonderful at teaching classically-trained flute players to really 'swing'”. Dr. Lisa Lorenzino, Schulich School of Music, McGill University
(9) "Yes, yes, yes! Thank you so much, Bill. You are the best teacher I've ever had!" Shari Tallon
ONLINE LESSON DETAILS
Here is all you need for your online flute lessons:
(i) - Skype software - free and easy with details at http:/www.skype.com/
(ii) - a PayPal account - free and easy with details at http://www.paypal.com/
(iii) - a webcam/mic/speakers
(iv) - high-speed internet access
To get ready for your first private and personalized lesson, please be prepared to tell me the following:
(1) what your musical goals and interests are; (2) what sort of things you are currently working on; and (3) what technical and/or musical issues are giving you problems.Also, if you have any specific questions, then write them down beforehand so that we can be sure to address them.
Finally, please make a PayPal payment to [email protected] at least one day prior to your scheduled lesson...and be sure to add me (bill.mcbirnie) to your Skype contact list!...
Once again, my rate is $75/hour...and, in setting the time and date for your first lesson, you can identify any applicable time-zone difference by clicking here.
DISCOGRAPHY & SAMPLE TRACKS
- THE SILENT WISH (Bill McBirnie & Bernie Senensky) - 2018
- GRAIN OF SAND (Bill McBirnie & Bruce Jones) - 2015
- FIND YOUR PLACE (with Bernie Senensky) - 2014
- MERCY (with Robi Botos) - 2010
- PACO PACO (with Bernie Senensky) - 2006
- NATURE BOY (with Mark Eisenman) - 2003
- SCRATCH IT! Extreme Flute - 2002
- DESVIO Extreme Flute (with Bruce Jones) - 1998
You can also hear complete sample tracks from all of
these releases at MySpace by simply clicking here.
NEW BOOK ON IMPROVISATION
- Published & Available at Amazon -
The Technique and Theory of Improvisation: A practical guide for flutists, doublers and other instrumentalists is now available in paperback format at all Amazon websites including the following:
- Amazon.com (USA)
- Amazon.ca (Canada)
SIR JAMES GALWAY was kind enough to write the foreward, and as something of a teaser, here is an extract:
"When I first heard Bill play some 15 years ago, I was truly impressed with his work, because I recognized I was listening to flute playing on another level altogether. At that time, I thought Bill should write a book. Well, he has finally fulfilled my wish. Not only that, but I think he has written a book that is up there with the greatest flute players of all time."
As Sir James Galway further points out in the foreword, this is a useful and valuable source of reference for the aspiring student as well as the experienced performer or teacher.
IMPROVING YOUR FLUTE SOUND WITH THE "HARMONIC ROLL"
John Coltrane is one of the most significant instrumentalists of the 20th century. Musicians of such calibre and depth occur rarely. Indeed, such extraordinary musicians come along only once every few generations.
Coltrane has been a source of tremendous and continuing inspiration to me, even though I play a completely different instrument in a completely different manner and style.
Now, you may be wondering (and quite understandably) why I am beginning this article talking about John Coltrane if the topic is about improving your flute sound. Well, in the course of listening to Coltrane, I heard him executing an unusual effect from time to time and the sound intrigued me. The effect is something of a Coltrane trademark and is a little difficult to describe. It can perhaps best be characterized as a "harmonic roll".
Over time, I experimented on my flute trying to mimic this sound. Ultimately, I managed to approximate what I heard Coltrane doing. I determined the range over which it was feasible to execute this effect on the flute and also what seemed to be the best fingerings for doing so. What was curious about the process of my investigation is that, in the course of it, I found I was not only mimicking that Coltrane effect but I was also enhancing my sound at the same time, particularly in the third register.
I am setting out the harmonic roll effect as an exercise below because it can be extremely helpful, not only to classical flute players, but also to flute players who double on other reeds and who have experienced the difficulty and frustration associated with launching into the third register and obtaining some measure of comfort and security in that register.
I recommended that you be patient with yourself as you proceed with this exercise since many of the fingerings are "false" and, in addition, the results are not entirely uniform from note-to-note and tone-to-tone. However, with a little diligence, you will find that the exercise is really not that difficult. More importantly, you will find that the payoff in terms of your sound and control makes the exercise well worth the effort.
The harmonic roll consists of playing the same note (or close to the same note) with three different fingerings, in rapid succession, in order to create a shimmering...or rolling harmonic...type of effect. Rhythmically, the pattern is simply a triplet figure.
Start slowly with the metronome at about 72 per the half note and, as you become familiar with the fingerings, then you can increase the tempo. I myself never practice this exercise at more than 92 to the half note in order to ensure that I execute the fingerings as evenly as possible. However, in performance, I would typically execute it a LOT faster.
All of the required fingerings are set out below. Please note that these fingerings are presented for notes commencing at "A" above the staff and they proceed chromatically upwards over the range of a minor seventh.
FINGERING KEY:
T = single lever thumb key
1/2/3 = digit key (depress; if "0", then open)
G#/D# = vent key (depress only if indicated)
T 123 G# / 123 D# = right/left hands
"A"
T 120 / 120
T 123 / 120
T 123 / 123
"A#"
T 100 / 100 D#
T 123 / 100 D#
T 123 / 123 D#
"B"
T 100 / 020 D#
T 123 / 020 D#
T 123 / 120 D#
"C"
0 100 / 000 D#
T 123 / 000 D#
T 123 / 100 D#
"C#"
0 000 / 020 D#
T 123 G# / 020 D#
T 123 / 020 D#
"D"
T 023 / 123
T 023 / 000
0 100 / 000
"D#"
T 123 G# / 123 D#
T 123 G# / 000 D#
0 000 / 000 D#
"E"
T 120 / 120
T 123 / 120
T 123 / 123
"F"
T 103 / 100 D#
T 123 / 100 D#
T 123 / 123 D#
"F#"
T 103 / 020 D#
T 123 / 020 D#
T 123 / 120 D#
"G"
0 100 / 000 D#
T 123 / 000 D#
T 123 / 100 D#
In order to get the most out of this exercise, it is also very important to do the following things:
-USE LOTS OF AIR (!!!!!!) -blow freely and openly -make the sound LOUD and CLEAR -do NOT worry too much about the pitch -relax your embouchure!…and don't move it!... -slur; do NOT articulate -on each degree, drive one tone right into the next -once again, USE LOTS OF AIR (!!!!!!)Once you have mastered this exercise, you should experience a noticeable improvement in your sound and control, especially in the third register—but likely throughout the entire range of instrument as well.
And for those of you who perform in improvisatory situations, you will now have a new and interesting effect at your disposal which can add a different texture to your playing, particularly in free situations (where "textures" rather than "notes" are important).
In summary, the harmonic roll is not only an interesting device aurally, it is also a remarkably formative exercise for purposes of developing your sound and control on the instrument.
[NOTE: A casual demo of the “harmonic roll” can be found at this YouTube link.]
(Article copyright, Bill McBirnie, 2003)
TIPS FOR IMPROVISING
Here are some essential points about improvising that I have learned over many years of practising and performing. They are generic in nature and, therefore, they are relevant, regardless of the idiom.
LISTENING & TIME
First and foremost, LISTEN, and in addition, learn to imitate. Here are a handful of useful suggestions in this regard: (1) Lester Young (for swing); (2) Bud Powell (for bebop); (3) John Coltrane (for more “edgy” things); (4) Ray Charles (for soul); and (5) Louis Armstrong (for EVERYTHING!) Of course, when you are improvising, listen to the band and, of equal importance, listen—to yourself!
Be acutely conscious of the importance of time! Develop a strong and reliable sense of the quarter beat. Practice with a metronome. Just clapping along with a metronome and lining up with each and every strike, bang on, is a straight-forward but very formative exercise. (When you are doing it correctly, you will not hear the metronome.)
Learn to recognize—and to use—Charleston figures (including forward, reverse and variations thereof) because this is a fundamental “rhythmic grid” that occurs everywhere and will often tie into the groove and/or whatever the rhythm section is doing.
SCALES & ARPEGGIOS
Practice all major and minor scales and arpeggios, in all keys, with utmost care and aim for absolute precision. Learn what each key area “feels” like so that you are not thinking about the key signature. Knowing what each key area FEELS like will enable you to play in any key area with ease, regardless of the key signature, because you will not be thinking about any of the notes or accidentals.
Learn which scales (i.e., which modes) correspond to which chord types, and come to a clear understanding of how these various chord types function through the cycle of fourths, within the key. This is very important because the same chord can function differently in different harmonic situations (which may imply a different scale from the first one that comes to mind). Learn all of the modes and recognize that all harmony arises from these modes (because , ultimately, chords come from scales—NOT the other way around) . In addition, learn the pentatonic scale (in both its major and minor forms) in all keys and, in addition, its most important derivative—the blues scale.
In brief, scales and at least some theory will ultimately help—not hinder—you, because a broad understanding of scales and theory will provide you with a broader range of musical choices and possibilities.
Keep in mind that almost all of what you play will consist of either (1) scales, (2) arpeggios or (3) fragments thereof—and that's really about it. This means that trying to look for “new” and “undiscovered” intervallic relationships is not going to be very productive (and may actually prove unpleasant for your listener :-) So focus on simple and obvious note choices first—and learn to exploit these fully.
Recognize that, ultimately, fragments of scales and arpeggios (with interesting shapes and contours) are much more effective than merely running entire scales and/or arpeggios, up-and-down, up-and-down. In addition, recognize that changes in the direction of a line will always catch attention and generate interest.
HARMONY
Try to see the structure of a tune in “big chunks” by identifying major and minor II-V-I progressions (or fragments thereof) and the key areas associated with each of these chunks. Pay attention to (but don't become preoccupied with) any of the extensions, alterations and/or substitutions. Although these are relevant, they merely serve to colour and/or elaborate on the fundamental harmonic function—never to undermine or distort it. So make sure you have a firm grip on the major and minor cadences of the tune before anything else.
Recognize also that II-V-I's may occur in full OR in fragments OR they may be overlapped and linked, thereby serving dual functions.
By looking at changes in this way, you will begin to see things in a broader context and you won't have to think as hard—or as often—which will help you avoid the melodic short-sightedness and mental fatigue that inevitably arises by playing “from chord-to-chord”. This will also enable you to achieve a higher degree of continuity in your lines because, in the final analysis, melody is far more important than harmony!
MELODY
In making note choices, never overlook the melody itself. Aim for consonant notes (i.e., chord tones and scale tones) first. Save any dissonant note choices (i.e., extensions, alterations and/or substitutions) for later. Of course, you can reverse this process but be aware of—and sensitive to—ALL consonances and ALL dissonances—at ALL times—and learn to strike a balance between the two. (This same principle applies to ANY form of tension and release, because any excess of either tends to detract from the overall musical result.)
Lining up chord tones with downbeats will give your lines more coherence. Also, instead of learning all the bebop scales and what chords go with each one of them (and thereby running the risk of sounding “studied” in your approach), recognize that, in principle, only one extra note is required to reconcile the asymmetry of a 7-note scale with a binary pulse. So, simply reach for a chromatic tone that is close by. And never worry if you “miss” from time to time, because serendipitous dissonances can be a good thing. Rather than perceiving “misses” as “mistakes”, make use of these accidental dissonances and see them as a source of melodic possibilities you might not otherwise have thought of.
Broadly speaking, aim for a few chord-tones as targets. Then, pick some non-chord-tones (i.e., extensions, alterations or substitutions) and aim for these as targets (but learn to resolve and/or to suspend non-chord-tone targets with care).
MOTIFS, SPACE & “THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE”
Always improvise with motifs in mind. Motifs do NOT have to be earth-shattering in terms of complexity or originality. On the contrary. They can be very plain and simple.
Also, you can enhance your lines simply by imitating yourself as you go along (because you really do NOT need to be constantly playing and “inventing” stuff).
Unless you are working a “shout” figure, repeat a motif once,...maybe twice,...but think about whether you really need or want to repeat it any more than that,...and if you can't think of anything else to play right away, then simply let the motif conclude for the time being and leave some space, because silence itself can be very effective. (Remember, you do NOT have to be constantly playing and “inventing” stuff!)
Shout figures and licks are good sources to explore for purposes of developing a facility with motifs. Work a few small fragments, carefully through every key, because this will increase your musical vocabulary, strengthen your technique and (believe it or not) enable you to develop your own style! And when improvising, rather than slavishly executing the shouts and licks you have practised, learn to “generalize” from the shape, and the contour, and the FEEL of them because, if you take care of the “small bits”, then the “big bits” will take care of themselves. In fact, “big bits” are just “small bits” that have been concatenated in a musically meaningful way!
Of course, it is always useful to simply break things up with an element of surprise now and again. In order to do so, use your imagination and visualize something NON-musical; such as...a conversation (a “question-and-answer” is perfect!)...someone shadow boxing...dew dropping into a still pool of water...a beam of sunlight breaking through the clouds...a cry (of joy or pain!)...Morse code...a cat chasing a moth...ANYTHING!...And let that image be your sonic guide!
POINTS OF REFERENCE
Make sure to provide the listener—and the band—with clear points of reference (either rhythmic and/or melodic) as you go along so they can connect with you, because you do not want to lose your listener—or the band—with the musical equivalent of run-on sentences and/or a never-ending stream of fluff-and-nonsense. Phrases and cadence points are ideal for setting up rhythmic and/or melodic points of reference. (If what I am saying here appears unclear, then go back to the very beginning once again regarding LISTENING—and imitating!)
EMBELLISHMENTS & DYNAMICS
Make sure that all short notes are REALLY short; and execute any embellishments with speed and absolute precision. If you do just these two things, then your lines will begin to “sparkle”.
Articulate your lines clearly (...or perhaps not at all!...) Vary your vibrato (...or perhaps use none at all!...) In any event, modulate your shading and dynamics with “compresses and swells”, because every note does NOT have to be enunciated explicitly—nor should it be!—and each note should NOT be overladen with vibrato. Indeed, the power of merely suggesting notes (...if not outright silence...) can be far more potent than giving voice to every single note you have in mind. You might even imagine notes—and simply NOT play them—because this can help to generate some interesting contours and dynamics which will give your lines a different sense of shape and continuity.
Finally, in terms of generating momentum, speed has its place. However, if you are going to play a flourish—or, indeed, anything fast—then make sure you can execute it with clarity and precision because, if you don't, then the effect you are seeking to create will be lost, on everyone!...And do NOT kid yourself into thinking, “Oh, an approximation will do.” It NEVER does! Indeed, an “approximation” will simply sound like you blew it (...because you did!...) The upshot is: If you don't have the technique or the control to pull something off, then don't do THAT! Do something ELSE—something simple—something groovy—or just leave some space!
CONCLUSION
In summary, improvising is, by its nature, a risky business. So don't be afraid to take a few risks. This is part and parcel of the process. However, recognize that, broadly speaking, the process of “subtraction”—rather than “addition”—is often what will succeed in achieving the most musical results (...and it will inevitably involve less work!... :-)
Article copyright, Bill McBirnie, 2014
[ NOTE: Bill McBirnie is Canada's foremost jazz/Latin flutist. He was solicited, personally, by Sir James Galway to serve as his resident Jazz Flute Specialist at Sir James' official website. Bill also enjoys the unusual distinction of being the only flutist to hold a “triple crown” at the National Flute Association (NFA) in that he has been a winner in all three of the jazz flute (1) Soloist, (2) Masterclass and (3) Big Band competitions. You can find out more about Bill at his website: www.extremeflute.com ]
Photo by Edie Steiner
