Six days of exploration and challenge with Taffanel–Gaubert’s famous No. 4.
This 4th exercise, from Taffanel & Gaubert’s 17 Daily Exercises is the most well-known flute exercise of them all. It travels between all 24 major and minor tonalities, and in a very straightforward way, it works on finger technique, articulation, precision, and sound.
The great teacher Michel Debost, suggested turning this exercise into a kind of game, giving each day a different assignment. Inspired by this idea, I created a different scale game that rethinks the benefits of this exercise: The Game of Scales.
This challenge is intended for intermediate to advanced flutists who can already play all major and minor scales comfortably.
Each day can take between 15 and 40 minutes. If needed, repeat a day. Choose depth over speed.
The philosophy behind this is that, within a repeating framework, working from different angles, with emphasis on precision as well as expression and imagination, makes you a more complete flute player.
Each day, you will work on four scales, moving through four stages:
Check-in
This stage focuses on slow practice, learning the scales, tuning in, checking intonation and difficulties, and feeling the body.
Working here with a tuner is difficult work; be patient if it’s not perfect at first, it will be worth it.
Body
Working toward more control while reducing unnecessary tension.
Accuracy
The heart of this exercise is the marriage of articulation and fingers, practiced with metronomic precision.
Checkout
Inspiring and imaginative ways to interpret the scales musically.
Each day follows the same four-stage structure. Moving from stage to stage while carrying the benefits of each one into the next.
You will need:
- “17 Daily Exercises” by Taffanel and Gaubert
- A metronome
- A tuner
- An open mind.
Having worked on this exercise before is an advantage, but absolutely not a requirement. You can simply try and give it your best.
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