Flute Solo Music

Many years ago we had the opportunity to go to Hawaii. We figured we may never get another chance, so we made it a big trip. We stopped for a day in Oahu, then on to the Big Island for 8 days, and finished up on Kauai for another 5 days. It was a wonderful trip.

While on Kauai our friends who were traveling with us encouraged us to go hike a “short” distance along the fabulous NaPali Coast trail. Now, I am NOT a hiker, but my friend said it was well worth the effort, and we were only going to hike into the first beach area, swim a bit, and then back out.

Two grueling hours later we arrived at the base of the trail to find multiple signs that warned us that the currents in the water were so dangerous that even wading could kill you! I was pretty mad at my friend, because of course, we had to hike back out again! So I sat with my feet in a little stream that came down to the beach, the kids played in the sand, and explored a lava cave, and after a bit we headed back out.

Here’s the wild thing…it was the highlight of our stay on Kauai!!! I will never be sorry we spent that time exploring the coast. The views of the ocean were amazing, expecially the first overlook where you can look down onto the beach where they filmed “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta’ My Hair.” If you ever get to Kauai, go at least that far, you won’t regret it.

The saddest thing is that I had a new camera, hadn’t installed the film correctly, and when I got home, I discovered a blank roll where my pictures should have been. So all I have now is my memories of the trip, and pictures that other people haved shared.

A friend asked me to write a piece of music for piccolo and guitar. As I began to write for the piccolo, the tone of the instrument took me back to the experience of NaPali.  I’ve made a video, using photos others have shared, and Sibelius Music Notation software to create the music. It lacks the human quality, but I have not yet recorded it with real people…a CD is in the planning stages. Click on the title below and experience hiking the coast, or remember it, if you’ve had this opportunity.

“Hiking the NaPali Coast”

Special thanks go to Armin J Hinterwirth for his photos that capture the hike as I remember it.

If you are interested in purchasing the score, please contact me by sending an email to: flutesolomusic@gmail.com

I have a recital in two weeks. A flute solo. I am prepared, finally. I started working on this piece of music eight long months ago!

EIGHT MONTHS!!!

Now maybe that isn’t surprising to more seasoned performers, but it’s pretty incredible to me. I remember how shocked I was when I finished my third recital and at my next lesson my teacher asked, “Now, what are you going to play next year?”

A YEAR? WILL IT TAKE AN ENTIRE YEAR? . . . . it did. Camille Saint-Saens, “Romance for Flute and Piano, Op. 37″ I never did get those quick runs up to speed…sigh…

The next year I chose “Valse Bleue” by Angela Morley. So pretty. It took so long to get the music that I “only” had eight months. . . still struggling with some quick runs at performance…sigh…and not up to tempo, either.

Last year was easier…I simply wrote my own piece to play. It’s here on the site: “Pirouette,” the third portion of my suite for unaccompanied flute or piccolo. Did I say easier? I STILL worked on it for months! But I didn’t mess up anything. Pretty cool.

This year is different. I’m prepared. Finally. There are 9 sets of 8-32nd notes that were my mountain to conquer. Of course, they have to be arpeggios, and they end on E and on F sharp…top of the flute range…two of the most difficult notes, at least as far as I am concerned! But I am ready. What a lovely feeling!

I wasn’t ready a month ago. Those arpeggios were ugly! Impossible! Hopeless! Then came the challenge from my teacher: “Do them 20 times a day–for 5 days. That’s 200 times.” 

Do the math: 9 times 8, plus a few extra notes (about 10) that set the arpeggios up, times 20…thats 1,640 notes…whew! First time I did it I was exhausted. Oh, and of course there’s warm up and playing through the rest of the piece, too. (8,200 over the 5 days)

It worked. Then all I needed to do was to relax.

So how long does it take? I don’t know. For me, this year…eight months.

Here’s the pay off though. I have my own video camera this year. So look for a video to be posted after the recital. I promise to get it posted by the end of November.

Oh, I didn’t tell you what I’m playing, did I? Check back next month to find out!

Or, if you happen to be in the L.A. area…Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, Ortlund Hall, second floor, November 6, 4pm. You can see it live!