Peter Sheridan: News

 "I've never heard such virtuosic playing on the low flutes!"  -Katherine Hoover (composer, writer)

Check for more under Press/Reviews tab........

Over the years I have been asked about the 'correct' positioning for the curved headjoints on the alto and bass flutes. My response is simple and quite clear, "the correct position, is the position that works best for one's sound, finger technique and balance of the instrument." First out, I do not endorse the use of the curved alto head joints. It is my opinion that these curved alto flute head joints may play out of tune and distort the lower partials of the overall quality of sound. This said though, many flutist need to work on the curved head, as their arms may not stretch efficiently to the lower end of the instrument, and the straight heads can cause back, neck and hand pain. So the curve in the head does provide a closer hand set up, and provides a relaxation of shoulder and neck tension.

I have seen all types of curved head set ups, from in-line with flute body, to the head positioned over the the top of the body, and played in a downward blowing position. I find that placement of the headjoint halfway between these two extreme positions, so another words, just above the thumb plate, yet not over the keys, is a somewhat optimal setup. This position is roughly over the rods. There are two mechanical reasons for this placement.

1) the flute can now be supported from underneath, and the LH can provide a slight upward force to counter balance the weight of the larger body and tube, ' gently'  pushing the headjoint into a solid and stable embouchure position.  

2) This angled position allows for 'pitch manuvering' which is a realistic truth on the low flutes.  

What is often the problem with this position, is that flutist then counteract themselves by turning the position of the head joint in (towards the lips), which can negate their efforts made to get the air source through the longer, larger pipe. A more open position tone hole set up, will provide deeper, richer  low partials , creating a clearer, cleaner, projecting tone.

To recap, the position of the curved head has to work for the weight-balance, freedom of fingers and best tone production on the instrument. With aware self-observations in the mirror, one can solve numerous problems and create new methods of self expression through this unique relationship of the curved headjoint. This curved type of headjoint has many more choices that the normal striaght headjoint and can be a wonder to explore. The best advice I can give is: make the darn thing work for you. There are some many positions, yet the 'correct' one is the one that works best for your sound, and comfort.

   

 

There are several recordings out featuring a few tracks of Low Flutes. It is a real treat to sit quietly and trun up your speakers on some of these amazingly low sounds. These are Not listed in any particular order.

Enjoy the sounds, feel the vibes!

• Wild New Music for Flute(1998) Sheridon Stokes and Jared Ferguson-Alto/Bass           Works of incantaions, fearturing composers performing on Alto, Bass and C Flutes (Sheridon Stokes Music)   

• Glaciers in Extinction (2005) Roberto Fabbriciani-Hyperbass flute and tape               A World premiere recording of the Hyperbass flute. Six evocative, soundscapes exploring the enigmatic tones of the World's largest flute (Col Legno) 

• Spinning: Geoffrey Collins-Flutes (1995) Featuring the incredible Alto flute solo composition by Andrew Ford, writing for Helen Tara O'Connor (Tall Poppies)

• JEUX: Mikael Helasvuo-Alto Flute (2001) A fantastic work by Finnish Esa Pekka Salonen, featuring exciting and wild extended techniques. Outstanding performance

• Others to come

"Challenging Creativity" is a new collaborative composition project by distinguished Monash University Composers Thomas Reiner, Peter McIIwain and Low Flutes soloist/ teacher Peter Sheridan.

Two (or more) compositions will be created that will showcase and ignite the creative sounds (and groans) of the low flutes. Thomas Reiner, newly appointed Chair of the School of Music at Monash, is planning a work for Alto/ Bass flutes that will feature high density energized cells that fly and fizz around the unique and distinct sound of the orchestral tubular bells. Must be a first?

Professor/ Lecturer Peter McIIwain is composing a surprise work for the sub-contrabass flute (with electronics), that will be based around the imaginative theme of an oil refinery. Now if that is not challenging my creativity.............. I feel honoured and blessed to have these fine musicians and colleagues composing for these over sized pipes. Stay tuned for premiere dates in 2010.

For all those fans of Low Flutes Music, the CD, "Below: Music for Low Flutes," has been finding a fair amount of radio air time from 3MBS (103.5 FM), 5 MBS (Adelaide) and ABC Classic FM (105.9 FM). Two featured interviews on 3MBS will present the music and some live flute playing from Peter Sheridan. Look out for the 'Island Tropic Discs' (with Pam Frank) interview, due to air late December. If you have'nt ordered your copy of the CD yet, don't miss out. There are many unusal and fascinating flutes sounds to be enjoyed! Many thanks to all the fine musicians who so generously contributed their extrodinary talent for this recording: Claire Cooper (Piano), Peter Neville (Vibraphone), Heather Price (Double Bass), Sheridon Stokes (Bass flute/ Irish flute and piccolo), Lisa Amos (C Flute), and John Sawoski (Piano)

Depths of Sound: The Sub-Contra Bass Flute

The Sub-Contra Bass Flute, a monster of double tubing, with an embouchure hole large enough to fit a piccolo through, is a warm welcome to my collection of Low Flutes. The instrument is capable of sounding a C, three octaves, yes, three octaves below middle C! Made by the remarkable maker from the Nederlands, Jelle Hogenhuis, he produces this instrument at a fraction of the cost of a silver model, and I mean fraction. The flute takes a bit of time to readjust, though if you are a fluid bass or contra player, you will not have much trouble transferring. Once you find the air capacity and deep support, the full rich partials create a wonderful raucous sound.

Jelle began designing these instruments in the 1980's and has never stopped. He also makes other low flutes, though I have not had the pleasure of testing these instruments out. The Sub-Contra's massive body tubing is made completely out of PVC piping (a small feat of engineering), and is set beautifully with silver plated keys (with key pins as long as a flute head joint). The instrument is played seated in a hugging position with the hands in a slight reverse order (left hand below right hand). Its core sound reminds me of a growling bear (I mean this with the up most endearment) and the possibilities for tone colours are bountiful. Jelle provides a finger chart that spans three octaves, though I can only find about two octaves that sound correctly in tune with a good quality, right now. I will keep practicing those high notes on my Low Flute! The heart of the instrument is obviously its lowest register, which can sing, groan, growl or buzz a tone; physically moving the substance of air in its path.

SCB PDF

Practice (AMEB)

If you play Alto Flute on a regular basis, you will want to know about an exciting new design development. The fine Low Flute maker, Eva Kingma, has just announced that she will design an Alto Flute with maker Bickford Brannen of Brannen Flutes. This instrument will surely be one of the best ever designed and should play like a dream boat (or dreamtube)! Bickford's amazing mechanical prowress and Eva's excellent ear for the low tube of the flute should produce an instrument that dear old Boehm would truly be envious of. Thank you to both of these fine makers/designers for their awareness to a problem that is long overdue in solution. The instrument will be unvailed at the National Flute Association Convention in NYC during August 13-16. I will keep you posted. For more info look at Eva Kingma's website: http://www.kingmaflutes.com/mySite/index.html

I have presented classes on the Orchestral literature for Alto Flute. The class is just over an hour, and we play, discuss and problem solve the three large orchestral works that include the Alto Flute: "Rite of Spring," "Planets," and "Daphnis and Chole." All of these compositions explore the instruments unique and distinct color, as well as its sensitive yet vibrant tone and projection. Also dicussed are the symphonic and operatic works of Benjamin Britten that involve this instrument. In his "Sinfonia da Requiem" we find an extraordinary understanding of orchestral blend and balance, as Britten uses the Alto flute as a low support for the floating flute lines above it, in the Aeternam Requiem (III mv't.) This simple yet sonic and emotional colour gives Britten his distinct and vivid orchestrations.
In my opinion, this excerpt, is an excellent warm-up for tone, quality, and over-all 'loose' control of the delicate alto embouchure. Good supply of air, will allow the alto to produce a big hollow-like tone, which is excellent for blending.

Orchestral Alto

The newly reformed Victorian College of the Arts Flute Ensemble won the "Large Ensembles" section of the 16th Annual Victorian Flute Guild Competition. With a short program of Jindrich Feld's "Cassation" (for two piccs, 6 C Flutes and Alto), and a 'hot flashy' version of Tico, Tico (arr. by Trevor Wye) the VCA Flutes performed to their top abilities. With a wide and sensitive range of dynamics in the Feld, the ensemble used a refine awareness of intonation and timbral blend throughout the simple yet changing simple melody. The highpoint was the unison melody that Feld so cleverly uses towards the end of his composition to bring a heightened tension and unique flute colour to the piece. The Ensemble then turned their attention to light hearted speed, as they 'blazed' their way through the famous South American tune Tico, with great msuicianship and a high level of pure FUN!

As their director for the last year, I felt honoured to stand in front of these most impressive young musicians, and thoughly enjoyed the look on their faces when the audience roared with enjoyment and encouragment at the end of their performance.

I sincerely thank my colleague, Derek Jones, Head of Winds of the VCA College, Melbourne for the fine opportunity and motivation to work with such gifted and dedicated students. Look for the VCA Flutes at the Australian Flute Festival in Adelaide in October 2009, where they will premiere two new Australian compositions for Flute Ensemble. Of course, these works will feature the Low Flutes for sure. Works by: Dunleavy, Gilmour, Neville and Selleck.

As a dedicated member of a professional flute quartet for many years, it would usually take me double the time to set up my end of the ensemble compared to the others. I can remember on one particular concert playing five different flutes. Now for some this may seem like no big sweat, set up the flutes, toot on them and away you go. Well I am writing this short article to state it differently.

Performing on multiple flutes (or any multi-Instrumentals) is an art and an absolute artistic comittment. The Contrabass flute alone stands some five feet off the ground, and could take three times the breath capacity to perform the same phrases as on the C flute (I am in no way complaining, by the way....)
The uniqueness of the Low Flutes is their clear and present differences of tone quality and agaility. Try playing the Opening of the Mozart G on all four Low Flutes, one soons sees how different they truly are.

Playing all these flutes well, is not some unknown truth, it is just really hard work! As I stated assembly alone can take ten minutes.
Never mind warming them all up! The logic is understanding and connecting with the embouchure and the tube. The embouchure is an amazing set of muscle groups working together (not against) to form the opening for the airstream from the lips to leave. On the Sub-Contra bass flute, the embouchure opening is roughly three to four times larger and wider than the C Flute (yes, that is why one runs out of air so quickly on these instruments). The point is, to SLOW down the air stream and allow the air to leave the embouhure at a much slower rate.

The Sub-Contrabass Contrabass flutes are upright instruments and take a new attention to balance and stability.
Your hands placement is
different (and even slightly backwards on some sub-contrabass models) and the technique needs to be modified. I find my hands a bit more locked in on this instruments, as the tone holes are larger and need a precise covering when played at speed.

With only a handful of concertos for this monster of flutes, this new work comes as a landmark. Sydney based composer Brauce Lawrence has completed a lyrical concerto for the Contrabass flute and strings. Scored for string quartet with an optional double bass, the concerto, set in three movements (Allegro-Andante-Presto) is a fine piece of solo writing with a sensitive attention to the voicing of the Contrabass flute line. Bruce composed a good portion of the solo line in the flutes third octave, which has a distinct and memorable timbre. The lyricism of the well crafted melodies, esepcially in the second movement, are a testiment to the musicianship of Bruce's work. I believe this is one of only about four Concertos for the Contrabass flute. A commercial recording should be released later this year. A must for fans of the lower sounding flutes! Sounds like a cello, but you know its a flute.

 

First Published in Flute Focus Article July 2008
www.flutefocus.com Click here to read the article (PDF).

Composer and flutist Hilary Taggart is composing a new set of Concert Etudes for Mr. Sheridan's Low Flutes. Ms. Taggart's music is challenging, deligtful, and filled with evocative images. She has composed several books of musically rich studies, and a set of pieces
for flute and piano titled 'Reflections'. Her music is printed through Pan Educational music.

http://www.spartanpress.co.uk/spweb/publications.php?q=Hilary+taggart

An exciting recording and publishing project, of seven new commissions for the Low Flutes.
A stong and vital addition to the growing repertoire of for low flutes.

Compositions:

Gary Schocker (NY)
'Small Sonata for a Large Flute' (2008)
'Duets' for C Flute and Bass Flute
www.garyschocker.com
Alex Shapiro (WA)
"Below" for Contrabass Flute and Electronics (2008)
(Explorations of tones and breath)
www.alexshapiro.org
Andrew Downes (UK)
'Sonata for Contrabass Flute and Piano' (2009)
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~downlyn/
Pat Neher (AZ)
'City Vignettes'for Contrabass Flute, Double Bass and Piano (2008)
www.patrickneher.com/
Vinny Golia (CA)
'Suite' for Contrabass Flute and Percussion (2008)
www.vinnygolia.com
Sheridon Stokes (CA)
'Irish in the Lowlands' Bass and Contrabass Flutes (2008)
http://www.music.ucla.edu/People/Faculty%20bios/SStokes.html

A vibrant and varied album of music for multiple flutes and piano.The CD features Sonatines by William Matthias and Claude Arrieu, alongside beautiful transcriptions for the lower flutes. Peter is joined by the talented Los Angeles pianist, composer and arranger John Sawoski.
Go to the Listen tab, for previews.

Playing the Low Flutes can truly be a challenge! These instruments have the same fingerings, and even look similar (for the most part) to the C Flute, but they are certainly tubes of a different nature. Players need to slightly reshape the embouchure (relax the opening of the lips, and allow a bit of the upper lip to hang over the tone hole), allowing a more open volume of air to pass through the lips, yet remain slow in air speed. Another technique is to allow the lower lip to be placed partly in the tone hole itself, of course this will assist with changing the angle of the air stream, and may help with bringing a bit of edge to the low tones.

In my opinion, the greatest challenge is not the physical aspect of playing, yet this can be most demanding for some, but rather aural (hearing). One needs to reshape their hearing when playing the larger flutes, and understand that the richest pitches are from another world, the 'bass clef!' A low C on the Bass flute, only one octave lower than the C Flute, is in actuality, quite a different quality and tone color, just by basic laws of physics- it resonates at a slower rate, it has a wider frequency band and is clearly filled with all sorts of harmonic partials! Embrace that sound and amplify it as much as you can. Just look at the tubing of the bass or Contrabass flutes, your tiny airstream from your pursed lips, has a long (and wide) way to travel.

Sometimes I hear doublers on the lower instruments, playing with a closed off, hollow sound. They may even struggle to find those low pearls on the alto or bass. Allowing the ears to realize that these lower instruments are transposing, and only with the use of the ears and acknowledgement of pitch placemnet, will one find the core sound of the lower flutes. This of course takes time, and I myself, am still learning this, after years of playing bass flute in a professional flute quartet. Playing the cello part of a Mozart string quartet is no simple feat, trust me!

So a good concept to formulate is: Train the ears to accept and work in these lower frequencies.
Practice singing in bass clef. Even ladies can do this, as I can sing a soprano high C, as it is my ear that allows the sound to come out, not my brilliant vocal technique.

One will find that this key concept of aural understanding will lead to a sound and color that is most desireable on any of the low flutes (Alto, Bass, or Contra Bass).

The newly reformed VCA ensemble premiered two new works at the Australian Flute Festival this October in Adelaide. The festival organized by David and Lyndie Leviston and coordinated by the incredible Elizabeth Koch runs every two years in a various Australian capital. The year the beautiful Elder Hall, Adelaide University was the home of this marvelous gathering.

The VCA Flute Ensemble had been rehearsing (on and off) for about a year, and the interest in new music was vibrant. Composers Joanna Selleck and Vaughan McAlley composed two challenging and fun pieces for the extended flute ensemble.  

The well known British composer, Andrew Downes has composed a Contrabass Flute Sonata for me. As a composer of numerous works for flute and flute choir, this was an obvious choice for me. I marvelled when I opened the score of Andrew's work, and his understanding and use of material for the contra. As we had spoke several times on email in a collaborative manner, I knew Andrew knew what would sound and what would'nt. But a performer can never be sure of what they get. I was absolutely blessed!

Mr. Downes has set the piece in four succient movements and has created the work to feature the finest (and challenging) qualities of the Contrabass flute. The first movement is an Allegro and begins with a low haunting theme on solo flute.


Oh, if you are wondering about the title, I have named my Contrabass Flute in memory of my dear father, Patrick. It is a constant reminder of his dedication and support in my musical career.

The Low Flutes (Alto, Bass and Contrabass) are unique in the issues to air quantity, air speed, and embouchure angle. These instruments all require much more air to excite their wider longer body tubing, a slower air speed and possibly a closer angle to the back wall of the embouchure tone hole.

AIR QUANTITY

The quantity of the air used to play the contrabass flute well, sompared to the flute is almost double. Really! You need to fill up the lungs, drop the diaphragm and extend the intercoastal muscles of the rib cage. This manner of breathing and inhalation will allow your low flute to sing like a cello with a fine bow. Also do not neglect the chest cavity. As a fine Opera Tenor once stated, Älways leave the chest up and open....ready to do it's job." Well there are varying degrees of this technique, but please use in moderation, as an overuse can cause problems with your back and neck.
The basic concept: fill your body with so much air, then top it up with even more. Overtime your can here some dramtic tonal changes in the quality of your sound and musical phrasing.

SPEED QUALITY

The air speed on the low flutes will be slower and the embouchure will be a bit wider in shape. I set my blowing in a reverse psychology and convince myself that as I blow out my air in coming in. A great method to slow down and control the air speed of your embouchure.

EMBOUCHURE ANGLE

As Music Teachers, we have all experienced new students, who are reluctant readers of music notation. Some students truly believe they are not able to read the notes on the page fast enough. Musical notation is only a graphic representation of sound. Music reading is not difficult or even impossible, it only takes work and discipline. Here is a little tick to work with: Always and forever, read one, two, or even three notes ahead of where you are playing. Practice, by having a friend or fellow musician cover the notes you are playing, hence motivating the eye to look ahead. The note that is sounding is NOT important, as far as reading, it is the note or series of notes that follow. Look ahead, and read like a PRO. let me know if it works for you.

"Reading is Everything in a Musical Education..." P. Sheridan

The flutist embouchure is truly a miraculous mechanism. With numerous muscle groups controlling size, and motion, it is no wonder there are so many variations of embouchures.
There are two main functions of the embouchure:

1) guide the airstream
2) control airflow.

Of course there is a fine balance which needs to take place between the lips. Too tight and the tone suffers harmonic richness, too loose and the tone is diffused and unfocused.
Here are a few tips that work for me, when I am focusing awareness on my Embouchure Emissions:

-Allow teeth to remain open. This creates more space in your mouth and allows a full stream of air to flow into your flute.

-Think about applying a bit of tension to the corners of your mouth. If applied correctly, you should have a rounded opening in the center, with relaxed lips to control airflow efficiently.

-The more air you supply the flute, the embouchure will work less. Control not only comes from the lips, but can be monitored by the diaphragm.

-Use your ears to shape your embouchure, not just your eyes. Yes, we have all been told to study our embouchure in the mirror, but inspire yourself to also use the aural sense as well. I have seen CRAZY embouchure formations, that produce stunningly beautiful sounds. I have also noticed perfect embouchure formations that produce dull, uninteresting sounds.
It is all relative, as Einstein taught us!

-Experiment with your embouchure, it is fun. You can find some pretty cool sounds it you allow yourself to explore the possibilities. Try it, you may find a position you were not aware of.

For a closer look at the mechanics of the embouchure, read the: "Illustrated Method for Flute," by Sheridon Stokes.


"

As a young flutist in the US, I had often read about a mysterious T-shaped flute named the Pinschofon, titled after it's designer and flutist Thomas Pinschof. I finally have had a chance to play this most interesting low flute, and can proudly say, I am a fan of it's beautiful lyrical tone and agility.

The quality of the tone is a cross combination, to my ears, of an alto and bass flute. The Pinschofon truly sings like a viola, and has a unigue range, dropping down to a low G, two octaves below middle C, which is one more octave than the alto flute, hence the difference in color. The design is slightly altered from the traditional (modern) Boehm system, as this instrument has two additional keys next to the G# key, and a pair of RH thumb plate keys for the low Ab and G. What a musical treat, to finally play one of these legendary flutes, after years of reading about it's existence.

Thank you Thomas for your wonderful creativity. Have a listen to one of my melodies played on this fabulous flute.
For more info visit:
http://www.web-arts.com.au/MUSOS/TP.html

BASS FLUTE

Vivienne Olive: "..Is The Flower Of The Heart Of Man..."(1972)

A solo work that is proportionally based on the time and date of the Hiroshima Attack 815681945.
Many dynamic and melodic colors. Furore Editions (Kassel)

Frank Michael Beyer: Echo (1985)

Solo work set in four movements, with outer movements based around chorale like quarter tone chants. Good for a spacial setting. Third movement set in a duo score for great dramatic and dynamic effect of compund like melodic material. Challenging to pull-off in performance. Bote & Bock (Berlin)

Daniel Kessner: Priere et Scherzo (2000)

A challenging and exciting six minute composition for Bass Flute and Piano. Includes some air/breath sounds and fluid scale passages. Perfect on any recital program, and has some of those familiar French overtones, with of course, an American twist.
Published by Theodore Front Musical Literature
http://www.csun.edu/~vcoao04c/daniel.html
Daniel Kessner: Seven Studies In Melodic Expression (1991)

A fantastic set of melodic explorations for the Low Flutes, that expand the concepts and control of musical expressions. All etudes are excellent individual performance pieces.
Publisher: Theodore Front Music

Dominik Karski: Glimmer
(Duo for Alto and Bass Flute)
A sonic treat, with pages of quarter tone clashes, pitch glissandi, timbral trills and rich harmonic overtone patterns. A neat well written manuscript, but a challenge to play accurrate.
http://www.amcoz.com.au/opac/name.aspx?id=4374

CONTRABASS FLUTE

Felix Werder: Opening! (1987)

Solo composition for Contrabass flute (in G), but a virtuosic challenge for C Contrabass flute. Some demanding rhythmic passages with wide intervalic leaps. Exciting to play and fun to listen to. Published through Australian Music Center.

C. POTTER: Alto and Bass Resource Book (Falls House Press)
A short pamphlet containing reliable alternate fingerings, helpful playing tips, intonation issuses and repertoire (mostly transcriptions). A
good source for trouble shooting problems.

C. LEVINE: The Techniques of Flute Playing II (Picc., Alf, and Bfl)
Strong resource for a serious approach to contemporary musical techniques. List of Bass flute timbral trills and multiphonic fingerings.
(Barenreiter)