Welcome to Flutes Inspired

Hello. I’m Elisabeth Parry and I explore all things flute - whether it’s as a performer (I’m honoured to be a Powell Artist), as a teacher and clinician (directing Flutes Inspired courses around the world), as an arranger and composer (for Aurea Capra Editions), or as writer (and former Editor of PAN, Journal of the British Flute Society).

In the Flutes Inspired newsletter, I want to inspire you to extend, investigate, and think about your flute playing through regular insights into practice, technique, repertoire and more. Plus I hope you will enjoy the occasional PDFs of new arrangements and exercises, as well as bonus accompaniment backing tracks recorded for you by the legendary John Alley, former Principal Pianist of the London Symphony Orchestra. Look out for surprise guest posts from some fluting legends along the way, too.

What I love to write about:

I’m a passionate believer that adult flute players, even those who come to the instrument late in life, can achieve their highest goals with the right encouragement, engagement, and teaching.

I’m fascinated by the relationships between music, art, literature, philosophy, and history, and how thinking about these things can help us become better musicians and better flute players.

I also think a lot about musical artistry in string playing and singing. We can learn so much as flute players from great artists in other genres.

And I’ve got a lot of ideas about how to practice more effectively - the surest way to become a better player.

What I won’t be writing about:

I won’t be writing about extended techniques and new music. I have brilliant colleagues who are specialists in pushing these boundaries; I would never claim to be one of them.

I also won’t be writing about the latest gadgets and flute-geekery. I have every admiration for the innovators and engineers of fine flute making; their expertise can speak for itself.

I will, however, look forward to inviting these flute friends and colleagues to share their ideas with you in guest posts.

Other things I write about from time to time:

When I meander off the fluting path, it’s usually in the direction of France - which is, after all, the spiritual home of all flute players - where John and I live and are restoring a (dauntingly?) large 18th century maison de maître. We’re getting there… gradually… but like all things, including playing the flute, it’s a process.

I hope you’ll join me on the Flutes Inspired journey. It’s free to subscribe.

Receiving the Flutes Inspired newsletter

A new edition of the Flutes Inspired newsletter goes directly to your inbox on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. If you are enjoying Flutes Inspired, please do share it with your flute friends. Everyone is welcome.