Instant Flute Quartet

HOW TO WRITE THE INSTANT FLUTE QUARTET (for non-composers) Method 1

1. Select a hymn, string quartet quartet or other piece with 4 parts that that you think would sound sound good as a flute quartet. Listen for active lines, lines, a nice melody, and harmonic harmonic interest. (Or, just one that you like a lot!) 2. Transpose, if necessary necessary - Look at the bass line to to make sure it does not not go below a C (G if you plan to use Alto Alto Flute). If it does, determine determine how far up the piece must must be transposed to be playable. 3. Fill in non-harmonic tones - There There are three types of non-harmonic tones tones which are very easy to add. a. Passing tones - These These occur between notes that have a skip.  b. Neighboring tones tones - These occur between between notes that are the same. c. Anticipations - These occur occur between notes that are a step apart. The second second note is “anticipated” before the beat. 4. Play test it with three friends. Method 2 (If you are good with computers and have a notation program.)

1. Find a MIDI file on the Internet. Internet. Use your search engine by typing “midi” and the name of the piece. (Think about something with four parts.) 2. Download it. (Right click for PC or Control-click for Mac.) 3. Open it in a notation program. (Finale, Sibelius, etc.) 4. Transpose it, if necessary. - Look at the bass line to make sure it does not go  below a C (G if you plan to use use Alto Flute). If it does, determine determine how far up the piece must be transposed to be playable. 5. Add articulations and dynamics. 6. Play test it.

Resources Notation programs Finale – http://www.makemusic.com Finale 2007 - $300.00 Finale Allegro - $199.00 Finale Print Music $99.00 Finale SongWriter - $49.00 Sibelius – http://www.sibelius.com Sibelius 4 - $329.00 Sibelius Student - $99.00 Midi Sites Classical Midi Collection - http://www.classicalmidiconnection.com Harmony Central - http://www.harmony-central.com/MIDI Classical Midi Archives - http://www.classicalarchives.com Classical Midi Resource - http://www.classicalmidiresource.com Midi Hymns - http://www.snowcrest.net/lassen/midi.html From the Methodist Hymnal - http://www.hymnsite.com The Cyber Hymnal - http://www.cyberhymnal.org The Lutheran Hymnal - http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com God’s Hymns (Baptist) - http://members.aol.com/alshymns/godsmusic.htm Church of God - http://www.cgmusic.com