Deep Dive: Learn as You Play by Peter Wastall

Hi everyone,

In todays post I'm going to talk about flute method 'Learn as You Play' by Peter Wastall.

'Learn as You Play' by Peter Wastall is flute method book that has been around for years, and I've just treated myself to an updated copy of the book as the layout has improved a lot since the last edition.

'Learn as You Play' starts off with an introduction to the flute and it introduces the learner to the names of part of the flute, a diagram on how to produce a sound from the lip plate, and an introduction of the flute finger chart. It also starts off with some very basic music theory to give you a basic understanding. Music theory is also spread throughout the book, and its broken up into smaller chunks to help the learner digest the information easier.

You are then introduced into playing notes on the flute, and again this is done gradually throughout the book so to not overwhelm the learner. Along with being introduced into learning and playing notes on the flute; the learner is also introduced into learning small pieces that correspond to the notes that the learner is currently learning and developing.

The book is subdivided into 24 units, and each unit focuses on introducing new notes and different time values. There's also hints and tips throughout the book on tonal development, musicianship, and reading music. At the end of some of the units there is a small collection of concert pieces to choose from and work from; and these pieces focus on what you have learnt either throughout the book or just from that unit. It also includes scales and arpeggios throughout the book, and it does emphasise that these should be played by memory once you have learnt them.

This book is great for anyone whose interested in learning and understanding classical music, as it offers a wide range of pieces by well known classical composers, as well as some classical studies.

I really like the updated edition of 'Learn as You Play', as not only has the book been made to standard sheet music size, but it's also been given a modern day make over so it looks a lot cleaner. This book was originally about a third smaller in size compared to the new edition. The fact that this method has been made into a larger format means that they have been able to enlarge everything from the pictures, flute finger charts and also sheet music; and these changes make it so much easier for someone whose just starting out learning the flute.