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Piccolo Probe Attachment (The Flute Ferret)

22nd August 2023

In this short blog we take a look at the Piccolo Probe for use on the Flute Ferret device. This combo can be used to diagnose pad leaks on piccolo flutes and help you resolve them. It’s a ‘must have’ for any discerning Woodwind Repair Technician.

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How Much Do Flutes Cost?

20th June 2022

As with any instrument, the cost of flutes can depend on a few factors. These can be split into features like playing level, keywork styles, age and silver content. We’ll break down the features of a few highlights at different playing levels to help you understand the differences of prices on the market!

Flute
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Repair Materials Spotlight: Mini Woodwind Repair Kit

15th March 2022

If you play Flute, Clarinet or Oboe this is a perfect small repair kit for minor fixes and diagnosis of your instrument. This combination of a small screwdriver, our smallest spring hook and Yamaha cleaning papers (useful as a feeler gauge) is small enough to fit in most instrument cases or outer bags. 

Perfect for taking to band practice when your playing colleagues ask you to “just have a look” or you have a sudden playing fault on your own instrument – the ideal kit for the gigging repairer.

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The Best Accessories for Yamaha Woodwind Instruments

25th August 2021

If you’ve invested wisely in a quality Yamaha Woodwind instrument such as a Clarinet, Flute or Saxophone it’s a sensible idea to keep it well maintained. Choosing and using the best accessories for your Yamaha instrument will help maintain its finish, keep it playing better and support a stronger resale value.

In this blog we’ll take a look at the best accessories for your Yamaha woodwind instrument…

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Auxiliary Woodwind Instruments

19th February 2020

This is a term you may have heard before, but what exactly does it mean? In short, an auxiliary instrument is any ‘non-standard’ version of the common members of an instrumental family. They’re often used in orchestras and other ensembles by the specialist players. Today we’re looking at the auxiliary instruments in the woodwind family, as well as a few that we sell in store!

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Flute Upgrade Guide

1st February 2020

In this flute upgrade guide we’re looking at everything you need to know. When to upgrade, why to upgrade, what the spec differences are and much more. Read on for more info…

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Lightweight Legends! Beginner and Student Woodwind Alternatives

9th January 2020

Musical instruments are complicated pieces of technology. In recent history (well, the last few hundred years) woodwinds in particular have seen huge shifts in design. Often the design of instruments make them unsuitable for young beginners, or people with physical handicaps – this could be due to the weight, the stretch required to reach keys, or the complexity of maintaining a wood or metal instrument and mechanism.

But as much as technology has created complexity of design, it’s also allowed for simplicity! We stock a number of plastic instruments designed for younger players, or indeed anyone else who may struggle with the stretch or weight of ‘standard’ instruments.

Yamaha YRF-21 Fife

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Five Flute Maintenance Essentials

28th November 2019

Playing your instrument is even more fun and rewarding if the instrument is working at it’s best! Here are a few flute maintenance must-haves to keeping your flute looking good and working perfectly.

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Flute Masterclass: Elizabeth Walker

24th October 2019

We were delighted to welcome Elizabeth Walker to Dawkes recently to host a FREE evening Flute masterclass. We had a great turnout and diverse audience from advancing teens (and younger) to adults, all of varying abilities from around Grade 4 upwards…

Masterclass: Individual Critiques
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Pearl 665 Flute – Special Editions

8th October 2019

The Pearl 665 flutes remain a staple step-up flute with the added interest of a solid silver headjoint. Exploring their own tagline, Tradition of Innovation, Pearl have produced two interesting additions to the existing 665 range, all around the popular £1,000 upgrade price point…

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LefreQue Part 1 – Introduction and Flute

1st October 2019

Musicians of all abilities, new learners to professionals, are endlessly hunting for that ‘perfect’ tone and intonation. Of course the most effective way of achieving this is through hours of practice! However there are a number of products on the market that may be able to help you in this journey. We’ve been looking at the LefreQue, the ‘acoustic bridge’ that could get just get you one step closer to that dream sound.

LefreQue Plates – the dimpled plate is placed on the other, and secured with the band.
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Flute Features – B Footjoints

28th February 2019

Many flutes have the option of adding a number of different features, one of the most common being the B footjoint. As well as exploring what this does and how it affects the instrument, we’ll be demonstrating the differences in a video with a pro Flute player.

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Flute Features – Open Hole Keys

24th January 2019

A major factor to consider when upgrading your flute is whether or not to buy an open or closed hole flute. Most student flutes are only available with closed holes, whereas intermediate and professional models can be bought with either closed or open holes. Is one option inherently better than the other? Today we take a closer look at why the open holed flute might be right for you.

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Flute Videos: Krzysztof Kaczka in Conversation

22nd January 2019

Our ninth and penultimate video in this Flute Technique is a little bit different…This time we chat with Krzysztof about his life as a professional Flautist. We chat about the dedication required to make it to the top level, and some of his inspirations and motivations. Hopefully this is a useful (and entertaining!) glimpse into the life of a Pro Flautist…

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Flute Playing Videos: EXTENDING BREATHING CAPACITY (8/10)

17th December 2018

Our eighth video in this Flute Technique series discusses some top tips for extending your breathing capacity. This is the eight of a ten part video series we recorded with top international flautist Krzysztof Kaczka. Throughout the videos Krzysztof will talk about various techniques and exercises to help improve your flute playing, whatever your level.

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Woodwind Instruments in the Orchestra

15th November 2018

The name ‘woodwind’ for this family of instruments refers to the wood from which these instruments were once exclusively made, as well as the need to blow air – or ‘wind’ – into them to produce a sound.

Woodwind instruments in the orchestra are no longer solely made of wood, with metal and plastic also now being used.

An orchestra’s wind section can consist of various combinations of such instruments as the piccolo, oboe, flute, clarinet, cor anglais (literally French for ‘English horn’), bass clarinet, E-flat clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon and saxophone.

Below, we have sought to answer some of the most common woodwind orchestra queries that our customers here at Dawkes Music have.

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Flute Playing Videos: Tips For Good Posture (7/10)

3rd November 2018

Our seventh video in this Flute Technique series discusses some top tips for good flute playing posture. This is the seventh of a ten part video series we recorded with top international flautist Krzysztof Kaczka. Throughout the videos Krzysztof will talk about various techniques and exercises to help improve your flute playing, whatever your level.

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Flute Playing Videos: Practicing Good Technique (6/10)

11th October 2018

Our sixth video in this Flute Technique series discusses some physical and practice based pointers for improving your technique. This is the sixth of a ten part video series we recorded with top international flautist Krzysztof Kaczka. Throughout the videos Krzysztof will talk about various techniques and exercises to help improve your flute playing, whatever your level.

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Flute Playing Videos: AIR SUPPORT pt.2 with Krzysztof Kaczka (5/10)

16th August 2018

Our fifth video in this Flute Technique series focusses on another exercise to improve your breathing and air support. This is the fifth of a ten part video series we recorded with top international flautist Krzysztof Kaczka. Throughout the videos Krzysztof will talk about various techniques and exercises to help improve your flute playing, whatever your level.

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Flute Playing Videos: AIR SUPPORT with Krzysztof Kaczka (4/10)

10th August 2018

Our fourth video in this Flute Technique series focusses on an exercise to improve your breathing and air support. This is the fourth of a ten part video series we recorded with top international flautist Krzysztof Kaczka. Throughout the videos Krzysztof will talk about various techniques and exercises to help improve your flute playing, whatever your level.

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Flute Playing Videos: PRACTICING STACCATO with Krzysztof Kaczka (3/10)

20th July 2018

This is the third of a ten part video series we recorded with top international flautist Krzysztof Kaczka. Throughout the videos Krzysztof will talk about various techniques and exercises to help improve your flute playing, whatever your level.

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Flute Playing Videos: TONE EXERCISE with Krzysztof Kaczka (2/10)

23rd June 2018

This is the second of a ten part video series we recorded with top international flautist Krzysztof Kaczka. Throughout the videos Krzysztof will talk about various techniques and exercises to help improve your flute playing, whatever your level.

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Flute Playing Videos: WARM UP with Krzysztof Kaczka (1/10)

1st June 2018

This is the first of a ten part video series we recorded with top international flautist Krzysztof Kaczka. Throughout the videos Krzysztof will talk about various techniques and exercises to help improve your flute playing, whatever your level.

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Upgrade/Pro Flute Offers – December 2017

4th December 2017

We’re delighted to be offering an extra 5% discount off any upgrade/pro Flute (or Piccolo) over £1,000 until Dec 31st 2017.

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Pearl Flute Masterclass with Krzysztof Kaczka

27th October 2017

We had a great event last night with top international flautist Krzysztof Kaczka. It was a full house, so many thanks to all for attending, and especially those who performed. It takes some guts to stand up in front of a room full of strangers and perform a piece for public critiquing! It was especially heart warming to see that 5 of the 6 playing volunteers were teenagers as one of our main goals with these events is to support and inspire the next generation of musicians.

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Flute Masterclass – 6th October, 2016

14th September 2016

Together with Pearl Flutes we’re delighted to be supporting a Flute Masterclass with top European flautist Krzysztof Kaczka in Oxfordshire on October 6th…

Details:

Where: Oxfordshire County Music Service, Centre for Music, Bayswater Road, Oxford, OX3 9FF

When: Thursday October 6th (5pm – 7pm)

Suitable For: Any advancing flautist from Grades 2/3 onwards

Cost: FREE (Parents & Pupils all welcome)

Booking: Direct through OCMS: (Tel) 01865 816 999 (Email) paul.bruce@oxfordshire.gov.uk

More Info: If you’d like any more info please contact events@dawkes.co.uk or call us on 01628 630 800 (Contact Name: Karen or Linda)

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‘Bagpipe Lung’ – Cleaning Care Advice & Gear for Wind Instruments

23rd August 2016

Many of you will have seen the recent article and report warning players of so-called ‘bagpipe lung’ infections. So, what’s the truth behind the situation and what can you do to ensure you keep your instrument clean and safe…

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NEW Yamaha YFL-212 Beginners Flute…

11th April 2016

Wow, even writing YFL-212 feels very odd! Ever since I’ve been in this industry (1996) the premium student flute on the market has been the Yamaha YFL-211. Sure, it’s had the odd roman numeral II or lettering after it but fundamentally the 211 has always been a 211. It’s become synonymous with quality and a safe bet for any student starting out. Why? Well, it’s surely been the best engineered model in production since the early 1990’s and the headjoint cut has been especially easy for new players to strive on.

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Madejski Academy Music Trial Day

6th October 2010

Thursday 30th September, John Madejski Academy, Reading- Matt Sanders, Brass Dept

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British Flute Society Convention – Day 4 FINAL

23rd August 2010

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59ZX5qdIEB0[/youtube]Day 4:
I must say that despite barely playing a note over the past few days I am totally fluted out! Today started with a brilliant beatboxing session with Greg Pattillo (SEE VIDEO ABOVE – COURTESY OF YOUTUBE).

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British Flute Society Convention – Day 3

22nd August 2010

After a good nights sleep I managed to make it to Trevor Wyes early 
session on practising efficiently followed by the brilliant Alexandra
Grot, the hong kong flute centre flute orchestra, another piccolo
recital and the fantastic Katherine Bryan who has inspired me to dig
out the Hue fantasie when I get home.

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British Flute Society Convention – DAY 2

21st August 2010

Well, needless to say I didn’t make it to the warm up this morning at 7am but I did manage to catch an early lecture on performance anxiety with Mary lee Cochran from the psychology department of Kansas State University. This was followed by a recital by two horribly attractive and talented flautists, Kayoko Minamino and Zsuzsa Vamosi-Nagy, titled fresh faces – fresh music.

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British Flute Society Convention – Day 1

20th August 2010

Julia Bentley Dawkes is a local flautist and flute teacher specialising in the suzuki method of teaching music. She is attending the British Flute Societys seventh international convention at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

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Bass Flute – Have a sit down!

1st May 2010

Well, we waited eagerly (at least the flute players here did!) for the arrival of our Jupiter Bass Flute – 1125ES…seen for the first time last year ‘stood up’ at a trade show.

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NEW! Pearl Flute Info Videos

15th April 2010

Hi all. We’ve just uploaded 2 new videos on the splendid Pearl 695RBE CODA and 795RBE Coda Flutes.

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