Staff Pick
“A wonderful book!”
This is such a good book for really getting to grips with the alto flute. Palaschko originally wrote them for viola so the colours really work and the ranges all stay within the possible. Each one has a particular purpose and the first three, for embouchure relaxation, a daily finger work-out and a tonguing study, make a good warm-up routine. All have melody at their heart even if they are technical, so they encourage production of that dark alto sound. The transcription is excellent too and this is a wonderful book to have on the shelf!
14 Melodic Studies from Opus 86, based on the viola etudes of Johannes Palaschko, edited by Matt Johnston.
Difficulty guide: 6-8
Difficulty level, roughly compared to ABRSM exam grades. 0 is total beginner, 9 is advanced (beyond grade 8).