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The Power of the Daily Warm-Up: Techniques to Calm the Mind and Strengthen Your Flute Playing
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

The Power of the Daily Warm-Up: Techniques to Calm the Mind and Strengthen Your Flute Playing

A solid daily warm-up routine is essential for any musician, but it’s especially transformative for flutists. Not only does it prepare your body and mind for focused practice, but it also fosters mindfulness and confidence. Let’s explore a step-by-step daily warm-up that combines physical, mental, and musical elements to help you unlock your best playing.

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Why Group Classes Are Great for Beginner Flute Players
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

Why Group Classes Are Great for Beginner Flute Players

Learning the flute is a joyful and rewarding journey, especially for beginners discovering their first notes and melodies. While private lessons and school band programs provide wonderful opportunities, group flute classes offer unique benefits that can enrich a young musician's experience. Here's why group classes are a fantastic choice for beginner flute players.

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Why are my low notes so airy? Common low-register flute problems and solutions
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

Why are my low notes so airy? Common low-register flute problems and solutions

Struggling with airy low notes on the flute? You’re not alone. Many flutists face challenges in achieving a full, resonant tone in the low register. Fortunately, with some adjustments and mindful practice, you can create the beautiful, velvety low notes you’re aiming for. Here are the most common issues and their solutions.

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Holiday Gift Ideas for Flute Players: Fun, Practical, and Perfect for Flutists
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

Holiday Gift Ideas for Flute Players: Fun, Practical, and Perfect for Flutists

The holidays are here, and if you’re searching for the perfect gift for the flutist in your life, look no further! Whether they’re a beginner, returning flutist, or seasoned pro, there are plenty of thoughtful and unique gift options to make their season bright. From whimsical accessories to practical tools, this guide covers the best holiday gift ideas for flute players, including flute lessons in San Diego and online flute lessons, which are the ultimate gift for flutists this season.

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Is It Hard to Learn the Flute? Here’s What You Need to Know
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

Is It Hard to Learn the Flute? Here’s What You Need to Know

Learning a new instrument is always a challenge, and the flute is no exception. However, with the right guidance, practice habits, and mindset, playing the flute can be an enjoyable and rewarding journey. Let’s explore what makes learning the flute unique, what challenges you might face, and how to set yourself up for success.

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Enhancing Flute Lessons with an iPad: Why It’s a Must-Have Tool
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

Enhancing Flute Lessons with an iPad: Why It’s a Must-Have Tool

In today’s digital age, the iPad has revolutionized the way we teach and learn music. As a flute teacher, I’ve found incorporating an iPad into lessons to be an absolute game-changer. Here’s why it’s worth the investment—and how you can make the most of it.

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Listening Deeply: How to Improve Your Flute Tone by Being Present in Your Practice
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

Listening Deeply: How to Improve Your Flute Tone by Being Present in Your Practice

As flutists, we’re always chasing that elusive, perfect tone—pure, rich, and resonant. But achieving it isn’t just about technique or equipment. It’s about tuning into yourself and engaging your mind and body with curiosity and kindness. So, as your favorite San Diego flute teacher, allow me to help you explore how mindfulness can help you unlock your most beautiful flute sound.

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“My Trauma Makes Me A Better Musician” and Other Truths from a Flute Teacher with PTSD
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

“My Trauma Makes Me A Better Musician” and Other Truths from a Flute Teacher with PTSD

From childhood PTSD, being groomed, car accidents, and various types of abuse in my life all the way up to my college years where I experienced what I’ve dubbed “teacher trauma,” burnout, anger, and general distrust of the system that I fell in love with, I have stories galore that shaped me. There were many moments where I believed these stories would make me a less desirable teacher - someone who couldn’t relate or properly traumatize students the way that the classical music world taught me I needed to. I believed I “wasn’t cut out for it” and I “wasn’t mentally tough enough” for the job of being a professional musician and teacher, when the reality is that my trauma and my experiences were (in the background) helping to mold me into an empathetic musician and teacher - one that can spot emotional distress from a mile away and one that can make you feel something in a piece that may come across as static if performed by someone with less understanding of the emotions the composer was trying to convey.

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How to Play Flute With Less Tension and More Ease
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

How to Play Flute With Less Tension and More Ease

Physical tension in flute playing can accumulate in various areas of the body, often without awareness. This tension arises for many reasons, but fundamentally, it's the body’s response to challenging situations. When faced with difficulty, the subconscious may brace for failure or push the muscles to strive for success. It's crucial to recognize that tension is the body's attempt to assist. However, this can lead to tight grips in the fingers, hindering quick movement, or rigidity that affects proper breathing

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3 Ways to Improve Your Flute Tone
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

3 Ways to Improve Your Flute Tone

Struggling with your flute tone? Here are 3 ways you can work to improve it, courtesy of a flute teacher with 20+ years of experience.

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5 Essential Tips for Beginner Flutists
Cassie OHanlon Cassie OHanlon

5 Essential Tips for Beginner Flutists

Flute is such an incredible instrument, so first of all, yay! You’ve chosen a fun instrument that can do a variety of things - classical, jazz, even rock and metal. The possibilities with flute are endless, but we do need to make it through the basics to get to the really fun stuff. So, I have five essential tips for you to fly your way through the basics and become an incredible flutist. Proper posture, breath control, finger placement, a great practice routine, and the ability to seek guidance are some of the most important things to keep in mind when beginning your flute journey on the right foot.

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