Why Practice Etudes?

By Denise Roper

Originally Published in the Texas Flute Society Newsletter, Winter 2020.

I think I speak for many flutists when I say that my practice routine often includes scales, arpeggios, and daily exercises by Marcel Moyse, Trevor Wye, or Taffanel and Gaubert. Most of us also devote countless hours to practicing solo repertoire and music for performance with large and small ensembles, so why should we set aside time for practicing etudes? Are they really that beneficial? I have discovered that the answer to that question is yes. Etudes allow us to focus on specific technical aspects of flute playing in the context of what is often a shorter melodic study, as opposed to the often lengthy, monotonous and predictable, yet always essential daily exercises. A good etude book will often include studies in all of the major and minor keys, allowing the flutist to become more proficient at reading music in all key signatures, including the less familiar ones. The best etude collections also include a variety of rhythms, meters, and tempo markings. Etudes also provide the flutist with an opportunity to work on breathing, phrasing, articulation, dynamic contrasts, and other aspects of musicianship that will ultimately result in better repertoire performance.

Even if we know the benefits of playing etudes, it is often difficult to find the time and motivation to include them in our daily practice routines. This is where social media can help. The “Etude of the Week” group on Facebook, currently being led by Flutistry Boston’s own Katy Wherry, is a closed group made up of flutists from around the world, from enthusiastic flute students to professional players who are masters of their instrument. Weekly etude assignments are given and flutists are encouraged to post a video of themselves playing the etude. Comments are generally very positive and encouraging, and best of all, membership is free. Although you may have to occasionally purchase an etude book to play with this group, the majority of the assignments are public domain and can be downloaded from www.flutetunes.com. Another option that many members enjoy is that performances are not limited to just the standard C flute. Members may post etude recordings played on the piccolo, alto flute, or bass flute if they so desire. The benefits of recording yourself are numerous. You can become your own teacher, readily identifying your own strengths and weaknesses from listening to your recordings before you post them and from comparing multiple takes. Because you know other flutists will be listening, you will find the motivation to practice for perfection (or at least improvement) in order to record your best attempt at each etude. You may find many musical role models to emulate as well as becoming an example for other flute players who are not as far along in their musical journey as you are. Another important benefit is the fact that you will become part of an online community where you may discover many new flutist mentors, friends, and acquaintances.

If the etude selections are too technically advanced for you or if you are intimidated by the level of playing in the original “Etude of the Week” Facebook group, you may want to join the auxiliary group, “Etude of the Week—Amateur Flutist’s Edition” which has been led by Denise Roper (That’s me!) for the last few years. All of our assignments are free downloads from www.flutetunes.com. For example, we are currently working our way through the “72 Studies for the Boehm Flute” by Louis Drouet, a book that wasn’t familiar to me or most of our members when we started it, but has been generally well liked by our active members. Unlike the original group, we allow our members to post any solo or etude they are currently studying, regardless of difficulty level, and discussions of and questions about flute playing are encouraged. If you decide to join the amateur group, please mention that you read this article because the moderator will be glad that you did!

About the Author:

Denise Roper has been a band director in Louisiana for the last 28 years, and was a nominee for the 2018 “Bandmaster of the Year” in her state. She has been a performing amateur flutist and church musician since she was in her early teens. Ms. Roper studied flute with Dr. Katherine Kemler while pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Louisiana State University (Class of 1991). She returned to LSU to study Conducting and Wind Literature with Frank Wickes, receiving her Master of Music with that particular emphasis in 1996. She is a member of both the Louisiana Flute Society and the Texas Flute Society.