Jazz Flute Curriculum
Level 1
Musical/Tonal Skills
Sound production on the head joint
- Formation of embouchure/aperture and placement of flute on lips
- Learning to breathe correctly
Correct assembly and cleaning of the flute
Introduction of music notation with corresponding fingerings
Understanding key signatures and their relationship to major scales
Introduction of long tones
Understanding time signatures and basic note values
- Begin to verbalize rhythmic patterns
Technical Skills
Good hand position as well as good posture when standing or sitting
Introduction of basic articulation (single tonguing, slurring, staccato, accent)
Range: D1 to D3 (to G3 if able)
Scales, thirds and arpeggios in the major keys of C, F, G, Bb, D, Eb, A, one octave, memorized
Chromatic Scale C2-C3
Consistent fingering of D2 and Eb2 with no left hand first finger
Use right hand pinky consistently on all notes but D1 and 2
Use of Thumb Bb
Ensemble Skills
Introduce concept: Be able to count independently and stay with a conductor
Suggested Methods
Anzalone –Breeze-Easy Method Books 1
Patricia George- Flute 101
Rubank – Elementary Method
Wye – A Beginners’ Book for the Flute, Part One
May Introduce: Marcel Moyse- De la Sonorite
Sample Solos
Billingsley- Morning Mist
Burgstahler – Flutella
Hahn-Night Winds
Lewallen –Petite Poem
Mendelssohn – On the Wings of Song
L. Moyse – Forty Little Pieces
Level 2
Musical/Tonal Skills
Continued attention to the mechanics of tone production
Continued close attention to good body, hand (curved fingers) and head position
Learning to hear and produce a focused tone
- Understanding the aperture and the angle of the air stream and its relation to producing a clear and projecting tone
- Understanding related diaphragmatic/abdominal breathing and breath control
Introduction of harmonics and their role in playing high register notes
Introduce the concept of pitch and musical shaping through crescendo/diminuendo
Technical Skills
Begin removing corks from open hole flute as student’s hand position allows
Range: C1 to Bb3
Scales, thirds and arpeggios in major keys up to 4 flats/sharps
- 2 octaves in quarters notes
- Memorized
May introduce minor scales
Chromatic scale
Use of the thumb Bb (continue)
Intonation of C#2
May introduce double tonguing (and triple tonguing)
Methods and Etudes
Anzalone –Breeze-Easy Method Books 2
Garibaldi – 32 Instructive Studies for Flute
Rubank – Intermediate and Advanced Volume 1
George- Continue Flute 101; Flute 102
Kohler- Etudes, Op. 15
Wye – A Beginners’ Book for the Flute, Part Two
Sample Solos
Burgstahler – Spinning Wheel
Gossec – Gavotte
Handel – Sonata in g minor
Masson – March of the Buffoons
L. Moyse – 40 Little Pieces
Mozart/Steensland- The Magic Flute
Pessard- Andalouse
Musical/Tonal Skills
Continued attention to the mechanics of tone production
Continued close attention to good body, hand (curved fingers) and head position
Learning to hear and produce a focused tone
- Understanding the aperture and the angle of the air stream and its relation to producing a clear and projecting tone
- Understanding related diaphragmatic/abdominal breathing and breath control
Introduction of harmonics and their role in playing high register notes
Introduce the concept of pitch and musical shaping through crescendo/diminuendo
Technical Skills
Begin removing corks from open hole flute as student’s hand position allows
Range: C1 to Bb3
Scales, thirds and arpeggios in major keys up to 4 flats/sharps
- 2 octaves in quarters notes
- Memorized
May introduce minor scales
Chromatic scale
Use of the thumb Bb (continue)
Intonation of C#2
May introduce double tonguing (and triple tonguing)
Methods and Etudes
Anzalone –Breeze-Easy Method Books 2
Garibaldi – 32 Instructive Studies for Flute
Rubank – Intermediate and Advanced Volume 1
George- Continue Flute 101; Flute 102
Kohler- Etudes, Op. 15
Wye – A Beginners’ Book for the Flute, Part Two
Sample Solos
Burgstahler – Spinning Wheel
Gossec – Gavotte
Handel – Sonata in g minor
Masson – March of the Buffoons
L. Moyse – 40 Little Pieces
Mozart/Steensland- The Magic Flute
Pessard- Andalouse
Level 3
Musical/Tonal Skills
Begin setting performance goals (ECMS recitals, NYSSMA solo festivals)
Discuss good practice habits and performance mindset; address healthy ways to approach nerves and stress
Sight reading practice
Suggest joining an ECMS Flute Choir or other community ensemble
Focused work on tone production using T. Wye: Tone and Moyse: De la Sonorite (each level)
Concentration on building smooth, even finger technique
Understanding simple phrase structure
- Use breathing that clearly communicates the phrase
- Use articulation that helps shape a phrase
Introduction of vibrato (measured)
Harmonics, whistle or whisper tones
Technical Skills
Range: 1C to B3 (C4 if able)
- Facility with foot joint notes
Scales, thirds and arpeggios in major keys up to 5 flats/sharps
- 2 octaves in quarters notes, eighth notes as able
- Memorized
- Played with varied articulation groupings
Begin memorization of minor scales
Chromatic scale
Double tonguing and triple tonguing
Methods and Etudes
Cavally – Melodious and Progressive Studies, Bk 1
Moyse- 24 Little Melodic Studies
Reichart – Seven Daily Exercises
Rubank – Advanced Method Vol. 2
Taffanel/Gaubert- 17 Daily Exercises
Wye – Practice Book for Flute, Tone, Volume 1
Zachert – Melodic Studies
Sample Solos
Gaubert, Madrigal
Godard-Allegretto and Idylle
Handel – Sonatas in F Major and G Major
Telemann – Sonata in F Major
Continuation of Voxman – Concert and Contest Pieces Ex: Anderson, Scherzino,
Gluck, Menuet and Spirit Dance; Bach, Polonaise or Cavally – 24 Short Concert Pieces
Level 4
Musical Skills
Develop good practice habits
Knowledge and application of musical terms
Continue vibrato work
Develop tone through use of crescendo, diminuendo
Tone bending and intonation work
Technique
Memorization of all major scales, thirds and arpeggios, 2-3 octaves
Memorization of minor scales, 2 octaves
Chromatic scale, 3 octaves
Facility in using various articulations
Develop speed and evenness of double tonguing; triple tonguing
Develop facile finger technique
Etudes and Tone
Continue previous studies.
Berbiguier- 18 Studies for Flute
Taffanel et Gaubert – 17 Daily Exercises
W. Kujala – Vade Mecum
Maquarre – Daily Exercises
Cavally – Melodious and Progressive Studies, complete Book 1; Book 2
Hugues – 40 Studies
Sample Solos
Bach – Sonatas in Eb Major and g minor
Debussy – Syrinx
Faure, Morceau de Concours
Selected sonatas by Blavet, Handel, Quantz, Vivaldi
Molique – Andante in D Minor
Mozart – Andante C Major, Rondo in D Major
Quantz – Concerto in G Major
Level 5
Musical Skills
Focus on the development of critical faculties
Learn to diagnose musical and technical problems
Encourage the evolution within students of their own concepts of musical expression, style and tone (refining the interpretation of musical terms)
Maintenance of vibrato, developing different speeds as musically appropriate
Technique
Range development with greater facility, incorporating C#4, D4
Maintenance of scales and arpeggios played the entire range of the flute
Maintenance of facility with articulation groupings
Multiphonics and “singing and playing”
Etudes and Tone
Continuation of previous daily exercises.
M. Moyse – Exercises Journaliers
M. Moyse – De La Sonorite
Anderson- 24 Studies Op. 33
Berbiguier – 18 Studies
Sample Solos
CPE Bach, Sonata in a minor
Bach –, E Major, C Major
Boccherini – Concerto in D Major
L. Moyse- Flute Music by French Composers
Morlacchi/Wilkins– Swiss Shepherd
Muczynski – Three Preludes
Telemann – Suite in A Minor
Honegger- Danse de la Chevre
Hoover – Kokopeli
Level 6
Preparation for potential conservatory education
Preparation of a compelling college audition (if applicable), including four contrasting works including a major concerto, sonata, French Paris Conservatory Piece and contemporary work
Familiarity with the piccolo
If ECMS diploma student: Prepare for Honors Jury to be played in January of senior year.
Musical Skills
Development of musical style and artistry
Demonstrate the highest musical potential, pushing boundaries of technique and musical expression
Demonstrate facility in entire range of instrument with greater ease
Technical Skills
Continue all scales, major and minor, 3 octaves incorporating C#4, D4
All arpeggios – major, minor, diminished, augmented
Chromatic and whole tone scales including C#4, D4
Demonstrate facility with all articulation groupings including double and triple tonguing
Alternate fingerings for intonation and facility
Etudes and Studies
Mastery of Daily Exercises
Continuation of the previous studies
Gilbert – Sequences
Gilbert – Technical Facility
Altes – 26 Selected Studies
Anderson – 24 Studies, Op. 15
Karg-Elert – 30 Caprices, Op. 107
Baxtresser – Orchestral Excerpts for Flute
Sample Solos
Bach – Sonatas/Partitas in a, e, b minor
Doppler- Hungarian Fantasie
Dutilleux – Sonatine
Hue – Fantasie
Martinu – Sonata
L. Moyse – Music of French Composers
Mozart – Concertos in G and D Major
Poulenc- Sonate
Varied solo literature of all periods
NFA commissioned works for the high school competition, e.g.
- Brown – Trillium
- Dick – Lookout
- Offermans – Honami
- Colquhoun – Charanga
The student will be expected to exercise initiative in gaining orchestral and chamber music experience, both in school and in the community.
The student may wish to enter one or more of the following competitions:
- Rochester Flute Association Recital or Master Class Competition
- Penfield Symphony Concerto Competition
- Hochstein Recital Competition
- Geneseo Concerto Competition
- Greer Young Artist Competition (Rochester Philharmonic League)
- National Flute Association High School Flute Choir or Soloist Competitions
In addition, students may wish to attend various summer festivals and workshops for flute or piccolo performance.
Last updated: February 5, 2025