This is extraordinarily edifying. It's a short talk entitled: Lead like the great conductors and it's one of the many mind-stimulating lectures on all sorts of topics at Ted.com
An orchestra conductor faces the ultimate leadership challenge: creating perfect harmony without saying a word. In this charming talk, Itay Talgam demonstrates the unique styles of six great 20th-century conductors, illustrating crucial lessons for all leaders.
Enjoy!! And I just love this speaker's taste in conductors too. :>) Jen
It's great for incoming performance majors to see the other students of the flute on film, performing on stage and in masterclasses. It helps you to see the dedication and hard work that go into preparing for a music career.
Also of interest in the above clip:
Do you notice that the student playing in the first clip on stage is using a thumbport! Yahoo. Now I'm not the only one with a big black plastic rectangle showing on film. Also: The student playing in the studio with the gold headjoint, has their keys tilting backwards (mentioned in other blog posts as a sure way to create tuning problems as the flute rolls backward unexpectedly) and has a a very stiff pinky finger on the right hand.
Right after watching the above short film, I received this email:
Dear Jen You changed my life! For the last couple of years I've been getting "locking pinky" syndrome. It was becoming quite an issue and I was getting worried about doing some real damage. Anyway, checked out your site, where your advice was to move the right hand thumb back..worked like a dream! No more locking pinky. Your technical advice is always right on the money.
So I thought, wow...I've been getting lots of "out of the blue" fan mail lately, I must share it!!
Dear Jennifer Cluff, Please forgive me for writing out of the blue. We haven't met. My name is G and I am principal in the orchestra of N. of France. I just want to take the time and thank you for all the WONDERFUL information and advise you have put out there for us fellow flutists. Your advise has helped tremendously both my students and I !
Dear Jen I recently, thanks to you, ordered The Physical Flute and I just love it. Again, this will be of great help for my students and I. Without your site I probably would have never found out about this amazing book. Anyway, many thanks again and please keep it up ! I admire you for having the patience to type all that !.
Dear Jen Though not a flute player myself (I teach instrumentalists music theory at a college), I'm a big fan of your blog and have recommended it to many flutists. In my opinion, it is one of the most practical and useful sites available for any instrument......
I wanted to let you know that all of my flute students are following your blog. We actually had a conversation about it in my Career Perspectives class (50 students). I’m having all the students read 5 blogs throughout the semester. Some were complaining that they couldn’t find a single useful blog for the instrument. And then the flute players chimed in about your site and how much they love it. Just thought you’d like to know….
Wow. This feels terrific!! In almost eight years of having this site and blog, no one has yet written in to say my advice was not working for them. Plus, when I see the students and teaching of other big name teachers and players, I still feel there's so much to learn. This keeps me engaged and fascinated about the flute and its teaching. Thankyou to everyone who is as thrilled with this instrument as I am, and thanks for those who make films and share all the information they know.
Best, and happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian readers, Jen
