Taught by renowned flutist
Mark Sparks
This course is a thorough introduction to the concepts of resonance, timbre, and vibrato. Mark Sparks speaks at length about the technical theory behind each, and provides a wealth of repertoire examples to guide our application of these devices.
Resonance
In this lesson, Sparks defines a focused tone, how to create one, and how to control dynamics and register independently.
Timbre
Also called color or density of sound, timbre is the unique overtone profile of our sound. Sparks uses examples from the repertoire to discuss how to create different timbres.
Vibrato
Vibrato is often hotly debated, but there are many constant principles that govern its technique and use. Additionally, Sparks provides examples of things to avoid when applying vibrato.
Expressive Devices
Sparks discusses how to apply timbre and vibrato to more examples from the repertoire.
Click here to download the course workbook PDF and see the full syllabus →Mark Sparks is the former Principal Flutist of the St. Louis Symphony. With a commitment to nurturing the next generation of flutists, Mark Sparks showcases his versatile musicianship through captivating performances as an accomplished flutist and a faculty member of DePaul University and the Aspen Music Festival.
read full bio →Explore our collection of in-depth courses taught by GRAMMY winners, Juilliard professors, and world-renowned performers, covering everything from timeless repertoire to advanced technique.
Our members rate us at 4.8/5 stars. Here’s how a few of them transformed their flute skills since joining tonebase.
“Instead of scouring the internet for hours for performance tips and tricks, I now have access to a wealth of high-quality content from renowned artists at my fingertips!“
“Sincerely speaking, a few months with tonebase help me solve many issues I have had with my fingers for years if not decades.“
