Benefits of Doing a Score Study

Hi everyone,

In todays post I'm going to talk about the benefits of doing a 'Score Study'.

The benefits of doing a score study prior to starting learning a new piece of music is that you will be able a better understanding of that piece of music, and what it is your aiming for to get the best from that piece of music for your own performance.

Performance Notes

Performance notes aren't always provided for a piece of music, but exam boards have now started to include them within their graded sheet music materials. But, with stand alone pieces this isn't always the case. Performance notes will give you an understanding of the composer, genre/ era, how the piece is meant to be interpreted, any tricky markings in the piece and the explanations behind those markings and the history of that piece of music and how it came to be.

Music History

Music history is important when analysing a piece of music, as it will give you a better understanding of the era that the composer was living in and the music that was around during that era. Through the understanding of music history you will be able to find out if there was any new music playing techniques was around during that time; say for example during the Baroque period playing using vibrato wasn't used during that era, as playing using vibrato was a technique that hadn't been discovered during that time period.

Developing Your Interpretation

This is where the fun begins when putting together on how you like the piece of music that you will be working on to sound. You might want to experiment with different tonal colours or change the phrasing slightly. You might not get it to sound how you like the first time, but the more you explore and develop your piece of music, the more you will gain an understanding of what it that you are personally aiming for. But, what you start aiming for during the beginning stages of learning and exploring the piece may be completely different to what you end up with in the final stages. You may also want to refine certain areas if your not happy with them, and then once they have been refined; see how they sound and interact with the rest of the piece.

There's no right or wrong way when it comes to interpreting a piece of music to make it your own, but they maybe 'rules' to somewhat follow depending on what genre/ era that piece of music was composed in.

The point of doing a score study is to give you a better understanding of the piece of music, the composer and the genre/ era that it was composed in. This is just for starters, and then when you to learn, develop and explore the piece; is the time that you will be able to have some fun and make it your own.

Score studies can also be done for any genre in music, and it doesn't have to be focused on classical or jazz music. Anyone can do a score study, no matter what genre of music they are interested in learning and exploring.

'Orchestral Excerpts for Flute' by Jeanne Baxtresser

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about 'Orchestral Excerpts for Flute' by Jeanne Baxtresser.

'Orchestral Excerpts for Flute' by Jeanne Baxtresser is great resource for any flute learner whose starting to explore the world of orchestral excerpts. It's also split into two volumes.

At the beginning of the first book, Jeanne explains how to use the books, as well as how to prepare and practice the orchestral excerpts, preparing for an orchestral audition, playing an orchestra and playing the orchestral excerpts with a pianist.

For each orchestral excerpt Jeanne gives you a wealth of knowledge to help you get the best out of each orchestral excerpts. Also, with some of the excerpts Jeanne has also included alternative flute finger placements. The wealth of knowledge that Jeanne has put into each orchestral excerpt is amazing, and this doesn't stop at the first book. Jeanne's knowledge carries right the way through to the second book.

If your ever in a music store, and they have this series of books; I would recommend that you take a look at these books. As there's so much wealth and knowledge within these books that I can't explain how much there's actually in these books.

I would highly recommend these books for anyone whose just starting out learning and exploring orchestral excerpts.

Music Theory: How to Use 'First Steps in Music Theory' & 'AB Guide Book One'

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about 'First Steps in Music Theory' and the 'AB Guide Book One'. Both of these books are written by Eric Taylor.

First Steps in Music Theory

This was the first book in music theory that I was introduced to when I first started learning the violin over ten years ago. 'First Steps in Music Theory' is great way to give you a basic understanding of music theory; especially if your starting out learning a musical instrument.

AB Guide Book One

This is similar to 'First Steps in Music Theory' and the only difference is that it goes into detail and it also covers a lot music theory than 'First Steps in Music Theory'.

Method

When your first starting out learning and gaining an understanding of music theory start off by reading 'First Steps in Music Theory', as its written in an a 'bite size' format to make it easier for you to understand. It's also broken down by grade.

  When you are ready to expand on your music theory knowledge; this is when you introduce the 'AB Guide Book One', as this builds on the knowledge that you have already gained from 'First Steps in Music Theory'.

The way this method works is that within 'First Steps in Music Theory' you will see Foot Notes throughout the book, and these foot notes will prompt you to go and read the 'AB Guide Book One' for further reading and to give you a more in depth understanding of music theory.

I can also understand why its split across two books, as the 'AB Guide Book One' can be overwhelming for someone whose just starting out learning music theory. So, to make it make manageable and easier to understand in the earlier stages of developing your understanding of music theory.

Please note that you don't have to buy both books at the same time. You can just buy 'First Steps in Music Theory' first and see how you get along with it, and then whenever your ready you can buy 'AB Guide Book One'.

Flute Materials: Silver Nickel

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about flute made from silver nickel.

Silver nickel is mainly found on student flutes, and also some step up and intermediate flutes.

What is a Silver Nickel Flute?

Silver nickel flutes are mainly student model flutes, and the silver nickel is a nickel head joint, body and mechanism that has been silver plated in silver.

Why Silver Nickel?

Silver nickel is an ideal material for student flutes, as these flutes are very durable. Also, student flutes are mainly produced in a factory and have not been handmade. But, once each flute has come off the assembly line they are usually checked by a qualified flute technician.

Silver nickel flutes are great beginner instruments, and they are very durable. Beginner flutes are also mainly come with closed holes, C foot joint and a split E mechanism. You sometimes will have the option to have a curved head joint for younger players. Also, a beginner flute should be fairly free blowing to make it easier to play. 

My Current Piccolo: Pearl 105/OM Piccolo

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about the piccolo that I currently own.

I purchased my piccolo back in August 2020, and I decided on the Pearl 105/OM Piccolo as it came highly recommend to buy as a first piccolo.

Piccolo Specifications

• 'Grenaditte' head joint and body 
• Omnipad Pads 
• Silver-plated mechanism
• Split E mechanism
• Thick wall high-wave headjoint
• French-style Pointed key-arms
• Pinless mechanism

The Pearl 105/OM features a Grenaditte head joint and body, and this is a composite that has the tonal qualities of grenadilla wood. With it being a composite material it also won't crack when temperatures vary, which also makes ideal for playing performances outdoors.

Omnipads

The 'Omnipads' have a unique three layer structure, which is made up of a plastic backing, a harder foam middle layer and the playing surface foam. The 'Omnipads' help the piccolo to produce a warmer sound, which is ideal for the piccolo.

It's also a nice option if you want the feeling of a Grenadilla wood, but with something more durable to withstand playing outdoors.

This is a fun piccolo to play, and it suits me as I prefer a slightly darker tone. Also, due to the piccolo having a wave head joint; it makes it easier to direct the airflow. 

Flute Loops Blog Break - December 2025

Hi everyone,

The Flute Loops blog will be taking a short break over the Christmas period.

The final post of 2025 will be on the 25th November at 9am, and the blog will be live again on the 6th January 2026 at 2pm GMT/ BST.

I've decided to move the time that my blog goes live from 9am to 2pm for 2026.

Wishing you all a fantastic Christmas & New Year, and we shall see you all in January.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Team Flute Loops xx

Flutes & the Materials They are Made Out Of

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking all of the different flutes that flutes can be made out of, as I get asked about this a lot.

It's only going to be brief overview to give you an idea in todays post, but I am hoping to touch on this some more further down the line.

Silver Nickel

Silver Nickel flutes are nickel flutes that have been silver plated; and this is what most student flutes are made of to start you off on your flute journey. Silver Nickel flutes are also very durable, and free blowing to make easier for a beginner player to get used to playing the flute.

Silver 

There's a few variants when it comes to having silver on your flute; and you can have a silver headjoint with a silver nickel body, silver body and headjoint with silver nickel mechanism or silver body, headjoint and mechanism.

With silver you are able to produce a lot more tonal colours, depth of sound and also the sound projects a little further. 

There's three types of silver on the market for flutes, and they are :-

925 Silver - Produces a brighter sound

958 Silver - Produces a darker sound

998 Silver - This is essentially pure silver, and there's only one or two flute brands that produce flutes made up of 998 silver. 998 silver produces an even darker sound compared to 958 silver.

Gold

You get flutes made from 9k, 14k and 18k gold, and these can either be yellow gold or rose gold. Yes, rose gold flutes are an actual thing.

All gold flutes can be a bit too much for some flutes, due to them producing a naturally rich tone, whereas rose gold flutes are a little more mellow within there tonal colours.

If you do want a gold flute, but you find it a bit much; what some players do is opt for an all silver mechanism just to mellow out the sound.

Another thing to also note is that gold flutes don't project in the same way as a silver flute.

Platinum

Platinum flutes are some of the most expensive flutes on the market, and also some of the heaviest flutes on the market. 

A platinum flute produces a rich tone that has a lot depth to sound, but they also produce a very powerful sound. So, projection shouldn't be an issue with a platinum flute.

If you fancied a platinum flute, but they are outside your budget there is an option for a platinum clad flute. A platinum clad flute is a silver flute that has a thick coating of platinum over the top.

You can also buy full platinum flutes or platinum flutes with a blend of either silver or 14k rose gold.

I hope this post gives you a little more of understanding of the different metals that flutes can be made from, and a little more understanding on what different tonal colours and projection each metal has.