Boland / Tulou / Gunn / Drouet

Method Books

Method for the One-Keyed Flute
(baroque & classical)

by Janice Dockendorff Boland
University of California Press, 1998
Japanese translation: Vorn Musik Atelier, 2017

Available from: University of California Press
Japanese translation available from:  Vorn Musik Atelier

Named a Winner Newly Published Music Competition
National Flute Association, 1999

An indispensable manual for present-day players of the eighteenth-century flute, Method for the One-Keyed Flute is the first complete method written in modern times. Janice Dockendorff Boland has compiled a manual that can serve as a self-guiding tutor or as a text for a student working with a teacher. Referencing important eighteenth-century treatises while also incorporating modern experience, she guides the reader through historical music with ease and grace. The book includes nearly one hundred pages of music drawn from early treatises, along with solo flute literature and instructional texts and fingering charts. Boland also addresses topics ranging from the basics of choosing a flute and assembling it to more advanced concepts such as tone color and eighteenth-century articulation patterns. Beginning students and experienced will find a wealth of material in Method for the One-Keyed Flute.

from Laurence Libin, Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Janice Boland’s clear, accessible text reflects years of professional experience as a performer and teacher of the one-keyed flute. Her book answers all the practical needs of beginners and offers advanced flutists a wealth of useful information drawn from historical sources. Even players wedded to the Boehm flute will gain fresh musical insights from Boland’s comprehensive method.”

from Christopher Krueger, New England Conservatory & Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute
“Jan Boland has written an invaluable resource for students of the baroque flute as well as for any flutist interested in performance practices of the eighteenth century. This book provides a wealth of well-interpreted historical information and excellent practical advice to guide flutists through the confusions and contradictions of this fascinating field.”

from John Thow, University of California Berkeley
“This is the best introduction to the one-keyed (baroque) flute for Boehm-system flute players available today. I only wish it had been available when I set out to learn the one-keyed flute. It would have saved me much time and led me directly to the most important sources.”

from Betty Bang Mather, Professor Emeritus, University of Iowa
“An easy-to-read format, clear prose, attractive graphics, and well-chosen music make it an ideal beginner’s tutor.”

from Stephen Preston, London, Guildhall and Royal College of Music.
“…an invaluable new resource for all flute players and teachers who would like to increase their practical understanding of the eighteenth-century one-keyed flute. Dr. Boland’s knowledge, experience, and respect for authentic performance shows in every page of this book in her use of original source material, her explanatory comments, and in the appendices and bibliographies. I shall certainly enjoy using the Method for teaching and warmly recommend it to all students and colleagues.”

Reviews of Method for the One-Keyed Flute

“It’s finally here. This method takes historically informed performance to a new level. Boland has incorporated the best of the early masters and improved on them and made their work accessible to modern players. Over time this modern method surely will take its place in flute history alongside those distinguished predecessors.” Jerry E. Pritchard, The Flute Network

“It would be fair to suggest that this falls into the ‘all the information about the baroque flute you were too afraid to ask’ category. A clearly laid out and informative manual. A valuable tool for performers and researchers alike. I am sure teachers and students will breathe a huge sigh of relief at the wealth of information gathered together in one volume.” Marie Ritter, Early Music Review

“A new, innovative, and practical resource for baroque flute performers and teachers. Clear and concise… This practical and valuable method should be considered an essential addition to the library of every flutist who has even a passing interest in the one-keyed flute.” Hal Ott, Flute Talk

“Even though the book is meant as a practical guide, its comprehensive scope is impressive. Ms. Boland has managed to touch on almost all aspects of playing the one-keyed flute. …I would highly recommend the book to any Boehm-system flute player who wants to explore the one-keyed flute. It is also an excellent tool for teachers, and a handy reference book for the advanced player.” Na-ama Lion, Continuo

“…provides a much-needed overview of the instrument while introducing some of the many aspects of performance practice that a newcomer will be obliged to tackle. As such, her work is extremely welcome and will be enthusiastically received by many players.” Christine Garratt, Early Music 

“Check out Boland’s book, Method for the One-keyed Flute, a must-have for every player interested in early flute music. Of particular interest are her comments on tone production and homogeneity of sound.” Ann Cherry, Pan, The Flute Magazine (June 2006) 

“A near-perfect historical instrument method. Wonderful book. Excellent exercises and full of history. I’m not an expert in traverso, but the fingering chart is very complete and ideal for who want to learn by yourself.” Spyware Reader’s Review (on-line source)

“It is easy to see why this Method is warmly endorsed by early music specialists Stephen Preston and Betty Bang Mather. Janice Boland’s Method is an excellent reference book.” Ann Cherry, Music Teacher (January 2001) 

“This is one of the best method books I’ve seen for a historical instrument. Every essential topic is covered: tuning, intonation, articulation, fingering, baroque & classical ornamentation (fingering for trills off of each note, for instance). Period sources (notably Quantz, plus several others) are quoted frequently. There is also a good discussion on the differences between different historical models. Plus there is a wealth of exercises and tunes from the period. While not pretending to be complete in every sense, this is far superior to many methods I’ve seen for recorder and other instruments. It’s also quite affordable. Jan has written a clear, concise yet very complete book.” Spyware Reader’s Review (on-line source)

“The book has great instruction at your fingertips to start learning the one-keyed flute. There is so much here! But it’s not bogged down with copious trivia. This book is especially helpful for the Boehm flutist who wishes to transition into some baroque flute playing. When you purchase this volume, you’ll have everything you need (apart from the instrument itself!) to get started, and also to avoid injury to your hands and fingers through incorrect position or over-practicing. Wonderful, sound advice clearly presented.” Spyware Reader’s Review (on-line source)

A Method for the Flute
by Jean-Louis Tulou

Translated and edited by Janice Dockendorff Boland
and Martha F Cannon

An English translation with critical introduction of Jean-Louis Tulou’s 1855 method for playing the pre-Boehm wooden flute and an excellent source of early nineteenth-century French performance practices. This book is a must for wooden-flute advocates looking for instruction, music & fingering charts for keyed flutes dating c.1800-1850.

John Gunn’s
The Art of Playing the German Flute

A facsimile edition
with introduction and notes.
Marion, IA: Janice Dockendorff Boland, 1992.

Availability: a limited number available from Jan Boland.
Inquire: jandocboland at gmail dot com

Faithful facsimile edition. An important work which reflects the changes taking place in flute playing as the eighteenth century drew to a close. It bridges that point in history when players were moving from the one-keyed flute to the multi-keyed instruments; important performance practice changes were taking place as well. An excellent reference for discussions of tone production and performance style. This is the first time this tutor has appeared in facsimile edition.

Reviews of Gunn’s The Art

“Gunn’s treatise is special because, as Boland points out in her notes, he is one of the first to approach principles of flute technique from a scientific point of view. Boland’s introduction helpfully sets Gunn and his ideas in context.” Scott Patterson, Continuo

“This is a great source of information and playing material for intermediate to advanced students of the baroque flute. Reprint begins with extensive and charming introduction on flute playing.”  Jerry E. Pritchard, The Flute Network

Louis Drouet’s
Method of Flute Playing 

A facsimile edition with introduction and notes.
Marion IA: Janice Dockendorff Boland, 1992.

A limited number available from Jan Boland. Print on demand.
Inquire: jandocboland at gmail dot com

Faithful facsimile edition. Perhaps the best tutor for today’s flutist learning to play multi-keyed pre-Boehm flutes. Includes extensive instruction on fingering systems and includes music showing the practical application of specialized fingerings. Also a good reference for articulation. Although Drouet was a Frenchman, he himself translated this text to English and arranged for its publication in London.

Review of Drouet’s Method

“This reprint is an excellent edition which includes a modern preface…designed for those learning to play the 8-keyed flute. Drouet’s method is very practical, with valuable advice on fingering choices, solfeggio, principles of harmony, articulation and style.” Jerry E. Pritchard, The Flute Network

Altes  Method.  Click on “Altes Sensitive Notes 1880” below to open a pdf of a page addressing sensitive notes.

Altes Sensitive Notes 1880