This is the book that shows the science and art of flute
playing in a way that no other book has equalled.
Hundreds of beautiful illustrations and crystal clear authoritative text
make it the book that flute players and teachers rave about.
There are two parts. Part 1: Basics. Part 2 more advanced techniques.
Part 1, covers the basics: assembling the flute, cleaning, getting a note,
holding the flute, hand positions, shoulders and elbows, tonguing ...
everything the beginner needs to know and the serious flute player may like
to have an authoritative reminder of.
Part 2, covers breathing, dynamics and tuning, vibrato and blowing from an
authority on these matters, Robin Soldan.. The book has a comprehensive
index helping you to quickly find whatever you are looking for. In addition
the memorable pictures help you find the section you need.
The book is endorsed by, among others, Sir James Galway, the world's most
famous flute player ("This book is wonderful"), and Dr Atarah Ben Tovim,
chairman of the British Flute Society ("My flute bible.") "Pan," the
journal of the British Flute Society recently (December 06) described the
book as "indispensable for flute players at any stage of development".
Previous rave reviews at the time of it's original launch came from: Music
Business (UK) "a unique and valuable publication", the Journal of the
Finnish Flute Society(Finland) compared it to the classic works of Marcelle
Moise and Frans Vester. The new Flute Review (USA) called it "an excellent
teaching and learning aid." Outside the specialist Flute press, Mark
Underwood in the Times Educational Supplement(UK) said "seldom have I seen
a more clearly, copiously and imaginatively illustrated book. As a flute
player myself, I can scarcely think of a better companion book to regular
tuition or a more welcome substitute in it's absence."
The new Third edition has been considerably revised and clarified. It is
now a sewn paper back that will last many years and has an attractive
full-colour front cover.
Robin Soldan & Jeanie Mellersh
Working together Robin and Jeanie made a wonderful team. Robin brought
great skills and talent as a player, years of teaching experience, and a
great sense of humour. More importantly he is among the very few players
who have analysed exactly how they achieves certain effects with the flute.
Jeanie brought an exceptional drawing talent, a deep knowledge of human
anatomy, and the ability to share Robin's humour and capture it as cartoons
on the page. Most of all, she brought a determination that every one of
instructional drawings should be correct down to the nearest millimeter.
Here is more about each of them.
Robin Soldan is one of Britain's leading flute teachers and has taught many
of the best flute students in the UK. He is also a wonderful player, noted
for his lovely tone
Jeanie Mellersh is an extremely tallented artist, noted for the subtlety of
her drawing. Jeanie studied at Liverpool College of Art where she won the
City Scholarship to study in Italy. Her talent for flute illustrations was
discovered when James Galway was shown her sketchbook, and she went on to
provide the instructional illustrations for his book "Flute".
Jeanie has recently illustrated two books for parents of special needs
children, Stepping out, and Small Steps Forward both by Sarah Newman.
