O'Neill Flute Studio | STUDIO BLOG

Setting up a curved headjoint flute - Jupiter 313/313S Prodigy

Sep 30, 2020
2 min

Setting up a curved headjoint flute - Jupiter 313/313S Prodigy

Hurray! You've got your first real flute! Congratulations! Are you now wondering how to set the instrument up? Read on! The Jupiter Prodigy flute (model number 313 or 313S) is a beautiful instrument designed especially for tiny kids who want to play. If you compare it to a full-sized flute, you'll notice a couple of differences; it's all in one piece, the headjoint (the part you blow into!) is curved, the keys have extensions on them and there are a few keys missing (no t

Review: Nuvo TooT

Nov 1, 2018
4 min

Review: Nuvo TooT

I've been looking for a good way to get tiny kids involved in flute playing at a cost that doesn't scare off parents who aren't completely sure if their child will stick with playing. The Nuvo Toot has been on my radar for awhile, but I've been concerned about the open holes when combined with 5-year-old fingers. When I saw the TooT's newest version, I was excited to try it out! The old TooT was recorder-like with a flute mouthpiece, somewhat similar to the Yamaha fife. Th

Trills!

Sep 16, 2018
2 min

Trills!

Have a new band piece that's full of trills and you're not sure how to tackle them? Here are a few simple rules* to help. If you see one (or both) of these signs: Follow these steps: Check your key signature. Starting on the written note, alternate between that pitch and the one above. End on the written note. Try these: Start on the main note and trill to the note above, based on your key signature. In this case, we start on the G, trill to an A natural (because A is not al

Parents and Practising

Jul 20, 2018
2 min

Parents and Practising

Ok. So you've thought up all sorts of games, you're encouraging like crazy, you're allowing your child to take some control of what activity will happen next, and things still aren't going well? Here are a few more ideas! Change your practice time. Some kids really like to play after school, but can't focus before bed. Others would love to have an excuse to stay up just 20 minutes later but are too tired and hungry right after school. Some kids want to stay in bed as long

Best Practice Advice I Ever Received

Oct 3, 2017
2 min

Best Practice Advice I Ever Received

When I first started studying music, I was young enough that I ignored much of the practice advice that my teachers gave me. I just wanted to play. This worked for awhile, but then I ran smack up against a wall where, if I'd just listened in the first place... Having been down the "learn it the hard way" path, these are the bits of wisdom that I wish I'd been ready to listen to at the time they were passed on! Have a plan. Start with the hard bits. Get your rhythm right fro