Flute Lessons
"...I am thrilled that Joanne is my flute teacher." Read more student testimonials here!
I offer completely custom one-on-one lessons, as well as group lessons, by appointment, at my home in Pasadena. Contact me to find out more about what I offer, and my schedule of available times. I'm also happy to discuss your flute-related questions if you are planning to buy a new flute (classical or Native American or other world flute) or upgrade your flute.
Want to know more about my education and career as a professional flutist and teacher? Read about my background here.
Email me at KokoJo@kokopelli.la or call/text me at (626)533-7670
Give the gift of music-making! Are you thinking of gifting someone with a flute, or know someone who has a flute, but wants to play better? A dream gift to yourself?
Lesson Gift Certificates - Pre-pay for a series of lessons, for a discount!
1 Private 1-hour lesson $75 (regular $80/hour) Save $5!
2 Private 1-hour lessons $140 (regular $160) Save $20!
3 Private 1-hour lessons $200 (regular $240) Save 40!
YES, you may use pre-paid Lesson Gift Certificates on Lessons with Friends!
Want to avoid travel or wish to save some time & money?
Skype/Facetime lesson gift certificates (45 minutes) are $50/lesson (regular $60) Save $10 per lesson!
Yes, you may upgrade to 1-hour virtual lessons (same price as in-person lessons).
Popular - Native American Flute Beginner Package - makes a great gift!
Includes a traditional Cedar Flute in A plus a one-hour lesson - $125
Options - if you're interested in a lower-pitched flute in G or F# - please call to find out what I have in stock (subject to availability)
Lessons with friends (group lessons - two or three people)
The in-person group rate is $80 per hour (e.g., $40 per person for two people), payable at the lesson. If you and a friend would like to take lessons together, this can be a cost-saving way to get started. You may arrange a group lesson for any type of flute or style (e.g. classical flute, Native American flute, Irish flute, recorder, etc). Yes, you (& your friend) may use the pre-pay lesson Gift Certificate option to save $$ on group lessons.
The legal stuff - lesson cancellation policy - If you cancel your lesson less than 24 hours in advance, you will be charged a fee of $40.
Private Lesson Gift Certificates make a great Holiday - Happy Birthday - New Year's - "I Love You" present. You can customize the Gift Certificate for any number of lessons. Contact me to discuss or place an order.
Feel free to contact me at KokoJo@kokopelli.la
or call/text me at (626)533-7670
Yes, I accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and PayPal
Classical flute lessons -
Learning to play the flute is a lifelong process of discovery. Whether you are in a middle or high school band or orchestra, an adult beginner, a college student between semesters, a woodwinds doubler wishing to learn (or improve on) flute, or a community orchestra player, your lessons will be completely customized to your needs and goals.
In addition to working on the repertoire of your choice, I can help you with improving flute tone and breathing, vibrato, and articulation. We'll work on the type of music you prefer, and incorporate fun, effective techniques for mastering difficult passages. You'll get better at sight-reading and improvisation (did you know they are closely related?). I will de-mystify doubling on piccolo, alto flute, bass flute, too!
“Sound Doctor” lessons -
Some people seem to have a great sound naturally but can’t explain how they do it – I will take you through the process of creating the sound that you hear for yourself.
Is vibrato a mystery? Want that great sound that makes people turn around and take notice?
Are you a reeds doubler who wants better control of flute tone and technique? Are you a classical player who wants to sounds more “jazzy”? More Celtic? More bamboo?
Want to learn circular breathing? Or just want to make it to the end of a long phrase without passing out?
Native American flute (NAF) & other world flute lessons –
Although not of Native American descent, I have been interested in the art, culture and music ever since I was a child. Before I ever started music lessons, I learned beadwork, pottery, leather tooling and sand painting. When I bought my first Native American flute (quite a few years ago), I was already a classically trained musician. Since there were very few examples of printed music for the instrument, and only a few recordings (Carlos Nakai comes to mind, of course!) I learned to play NAF by ear and by improvisation. Here is a sample of what we'll cover in lessons -
Beginner level NAF –
(Little or no experience playing a musical instrument)
You will learn breathing, sound production and basic finger technique. You’ll learn how to determine the key of your flute (using a tuner) and play the two basic minor pentatonic scale patterns of the traditional NA flute. We’ll cover basic counting and rhythm patterns, and how to read popular styles of “finger chart” tablature. You’ll begin learning to improvise your own basic melodies based on the traditional scale and style of your flute.
Intermediate level NAF –
Experience playing another woodwind instrument, or 1 year of NAF
We’ll cover additional articulation and traditional ornamentation techniques, major and minor diatonic scales, and reading Nakai Tablature. We’ll go over classically notated meter and key signatures, rhythm and tempo markings. You’ll learn how to play duets and tunes from other world traditions (Asian folk songs, English carols, etc) using correct fingerings. We’ll also cover how to use/play 5-hole fingerings on a 6-hole flute (& vice-versa), working with "drone" flutes, and improvising with other instruments or “jam track” recordings.
Advanced level NAF –
(Trained classical or jazz woodwind musicians, or several years of NAF experience, with the ability to read music).
Your flute playing is limited only by your imagination – we’ll go over note shading (“flattement”), chromatic scales, alternative tunings and non-traditional scales. You’ll learn advanced flute techniques such as flutter tonguing, full octave glissandi, and extended range notes. We’ll explore improvisation and composition in specific musical styles, parlando interpretation, and playing & composing with double flutes. We’ll cover sight-reading at concert pitch, transposition, transcription, and tips for working with composers/arrangers.
Rim blown flute lessons – Shakulute (hybrid between classical flute and shakuhacni, Japanese shakuhachi, Chinese xiao, Peruvian quena and Anasazi-style flutes
Whether your background is in classical flute, baroque flute, recorder, reeds, or traditional Native American style flute, you can learn to play a rim-blown flute with some patience and practice! We’ll cover how to produce a sound, and move between lower and upper octaves. You’ll learn the five vibrato methods indigenous to rim blown flutes (based on the Japanese traditional styles) and how to use breath attacks, flute angle changes and finger articulation to create authentic sounds.
Recorder – Soprano and Alto, Baroque or German fingering
The recorder has had a resurgence of popularity, both for baroque chamber music, and modern or folk music. It's easy to begin, requires no previous wind instrument experience, and can be used to play just about any written music within its note range. You'll learn alto and/or soprano fingerings, how to interpret fingering charts, tuning with breath pressure and alternate fingerings, and tips for the higher register.
Irish/Celtic flute –
Irish or Celtic flute is a style more than any particular instrument, however the traditional wood keyless instrument shares many features common to simple-system flutes.We will cover the essentials of Irish flute style, including learning tunes, by ear, playing with a strong rhythmic style, developing low & middle register sound quality, playing traditional ornaments (e.g. cuts, taps, rolls, slides, and finger vibrato), and interpretation of standard airs.
Other World Flutes -
Pan-flute, bansuri, dizi, suling, xun, ocarina - If you have acquired an interesting flute made of bamboo, ceramic or wood, and need a lesson or two to start learning to play it, I can help!
Copyright 2012 - 2019 Joanne Lazzaro All rights reserved
I offer completely custom one-on-one lessons, as well as group lessons, by appointment, at my home in Pasadena. Contact me to find out more about what I offer, and my schedule of available times. I'm also happy to discuss your flute-related questions if you are planning to buy a new flute (classical or Native American or other world flute) or upgrade your flute.
Want to know more about my education and career as a professional flutist and teacher? Read about my background here.
Email me at KokoJo@kokopelli.la or call/text me at (626)533-7670
Give the gift of music-making! Are you thinking of gifting someone with a flute, or know someone who has a flute, but wants to play better? A dream gift to yourself?
Lesson Gift Certificates - Pre-pay for a series of lessons, for a discount!
1 Private 1-hour lesson $75 (regular $80/hour) Save $5!
2 Private 1-hour lessons $140 (regular $160) Save $20!
3 Private 1-hour lessons $200 (regular $240) Save 40!
YES, you may use pre-paid Lesson Gift Certificates on Lessons with Friends!
Want to avoid travel or wish to save some time & money?
Skype/Facetime lesson gift certificates (45 minutes) are $50/lesson (regular $60) Save $10 per lesson!
Yes, you may upgrade to 1-hour virtual lessons (same price as in-person lessons).
Popular - Native American Flute Beginner Package - makes a great gift!
Includes a traditional Cedar Flute in A plus a one-hour lesson - $125
Options - if you're interested in a lower-pitched flute in G or F# - please call to find out what I have in stock (subject to availability)
Lessons with friends (group lessons - two or three people)
The in-person group rate is $80 per hour (e.g., $40 per person for two people), payable at the lesson. If you and a friend would like to take lessons together, this can be a cost-saving way to get started. You may arrange a group lesson for any type of flute or style (e.g. classical flute, Native American flute, Irish flute, recorder, etc). Yes, you (& your friend) may use the pre-pay lesson Gift Certificate option to save $$ on group lessons.
The legal stuff - lesson cancellation policy - If you cancel your lesson less than 24 hours in advance, you will be charged a fee of $40.
Private Lesson Gift Certificates make a great Holiday - Happy Birthday - New Year's - "I Love You" present. You can customize the Gift Certificate for any number of lessons. Contact me to discuss or place an order.
Feel free to contact me at KokoJo@kokopelli.la
or call/text me at (626)533-7670
Yes, I accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and PayPal
Classical flute lessons -
Learning to play the flute is a lifelong process of discovery. Whether you are in a middle or high school band or orchestra, an adult beginner, a college student between semesters, a woodwinds doubler wishing to learn (or improve on) flute, or a community orchestra player, your lessons will be completely customized to your needs and goals.
In addition to working on the repertoire of your choice, I can help you with improving flute tone and breathing, vibrato, and articulation. We'll work on the type of music you prefer, and incorporate fun, effective techniques for mastering difficult passages. You'll get better at sight-reading and improvisation (did you know they are closely related?). I will de-mystify doubling on piccolo, alto flute, bass flute, too!
“Sound Doctor” lessons -
Some people seem to have a great sound naturally but can’t explain how they do it – I will take you through the process of creating the sound that you hear for yourself.
Is vibrato a mystery? Want that great sound that makes people turn around and take notice?
Are you a reeds doubler who wants better control of flute tone and technique? Are you a classical player who wants to sounds more “jazzy”? More Celtic? More bamboo?
Want to learn circular breathing? Or just want to make it to the end of a long phrase without passing out?
Native American flute (NAF) & other world flute lessons –
Although not of Native American descent, I have been interested in the art, culture and music ever since I was a child. Before I ever started music lessons, I learned beadwork, pottery, leather tooling and sand painting. When I bought my first Native American flute (quite a few years ago), I was already a classically trained musician. Since there were very few examples of printed music for the instrument, and only a few recordings (Carlos Nakai comes to mind, of course!) I learned to play NAF by ear and by improvisation. Here is a sample of what we'll cover in lessons -
Beginner level NAF –
(Little or no experience playing a musical instrument)
You will learn breathing, sound production and basic finger technique. You’ll learn how to determine the key of your flute (using a tuner) and play the two basic minor pentatonic scale patterns of the traditional NA flute. We’ll cover basic counting and rhythm patterns, and how to read popular styles of “finger chart” tablature. You’ll begin learning to improvise your own basic melodies based on the traditional scale and style of your flute.
Intermediate level NAF –
Experience playing another woodwind instrument, or 1 year of NAF
We’ll cover additional articulation and traditional ornamentation techniques, major and minor diatonic scales, and reading Nakai Tablature. We’ll go over classically notated meter and key signatures, rhythm and tempo markings. You’ll learn how to play duets and tunes from other world traditions (Asian folk songs, English carols, etc) using correct fingerings. We’ll also cover how to use/play 5-hole fingerings on a 6-hole flute (& vice-versa), working with "drone" flutes, and improvising with other instruments or “jam track” recordings.
Advanced level NAF –
(Trained classical or jazz woodwind musicians, or several years of NAF experience, with the ability to read music).
Your flute playing is limited only by your imagination – we’ll go over note shading (“flattement”), chromatic scales, alternative tunings and non-traditional scales. You’ll learn advanced flute techniques such as flutter tonguing, full octave glissandi, and extended range notes. We’ll explore improvisation and composition in specific musical styles, parlando interpretation, and playing & composing with double flutes. We’ll cover sight-reading at concert pitch, transposition, transcription, and tips for working with composers/arrangers.
Rim blown flute lessons – Shakulute (hybrid between classical flute and shakuhacni, Japanese shakuhachi, Chinese xiao, Peruvian quena and Anasazi-style flutes
Whether your background is in classical flute, baroque flute, recorder, reeds, or traditional Native American style flute, you can learn to play a rim-blown flute with some patience and practice! We’ll cover how to produce a sound, and move between lower and upper octaves. You’ll learn the five vibrato methods indigenous to rim blown flutes (based on the Japanese traditional styles) and how to use breath attacks, flute angle changes and finger articulation to create authentic sounds.
Recorder – Soprano and Alto, Baroque or German fingering
The recorder has had a resurgence of popularity, both for baroque chamber music, and modern or folk music. It's easy to begin, requires no previous wind instrument experience, and can be used to play just about any written music within its note range. You'll learn alto and/or soprano fingerings, how to interpret fingering charts, tuning with breath pressure and alternate fingerings, and tips for the higher register.
Irish/Celtic flute –
Irish or Celtic flute is a style more than any particular instrument, however the traditional wood keyless instrument shares many features common to simple-system flutes.We will cover the essentials of Irish flute style, including learning tunes, by ear, playing with a strong rhythmic style, developing low & middle register sound quality, playing traditional ornaments (e.g. cuts, taps, rolls, slides, and finger vibrato), and interpretation of standard airs.
Other World Flutes -
Pan-flute, bansuri, dizi, suling, xun, ocarina - If you have acquired an interesting flute made of bamboo, ceramic or wood, and need a lesson or two to start learning to play it, I can help!
Copyright 2012 - 2019 Joanne Lazzaro All rights reserved