French and American Flute Methods: A Case Study

Kevin  Trinidad  Meléndez

doi:10.7273/000004753

The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in pedagogical approach between French flutist Michel Debost and American flutist Thomas Nyfenger, specifically regarding flute fundamentals. These flutists were chosen as representatives of the French and American flute schools respectively. As these informal flute schools are the most prominent in Western flute music, comparing approaches to fundamentals between two flutists’ methods with each is beneficial to flute players and instructors alike. To this end, Michel Debost’s The Simple Flute and Thomas Nyfenger’s Music and the Flute and Beyond the Notes: Musical Thoughts and Analyses were used to create the methodology for these lessons. Two high-school-age students from eastern Washington received instruction in these methods by a graduate student studying flute performance at Washington State University. Over the course of six weeks, each student was led through a series of lessons with methods from their respective pedagogue and were then asked to apply what they had learned to a solo performance. Throughout these lessons, students were assessed on the effect instruction had on their posture, embouchure, tone production, vibrato, and articulation. The instruction itself was also assessed to find differences in how the pedagogues taught fundamentals. Through this study, a variety of differences were found in how each pedagogue approached teaching fundamentals, how these procedures affected instruction, and how receptive students were to instruction. The study also provided insight into how different methods can be used within the context of a private lesson. This information could prove beneficial to flute instructors who are not familiar with these different schools of thought, and flutists in general who are hoping to diversify their understanding of fundamentals.

French and American Flute Methods: A Case Study

Files and links (1)

Abstract

Metrics

Details