Flutes Quote by Jerome Richardson
“You got to play the flute as a flute, like that. You can't play like a tenor concept on soprano; it sounds wrong. But some guys do it, and they think it's O.K., but not so!”
About This Quote
An instrument should be played according to its natural range and timbre; attempting to force a flute to behave like a tenor voice produces a discordant sound, despite some musicians ignoring this principle.
In simple terms: Play each instrument within its own voice.
Respect the inherent qualities of musical instruments.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- orchestral rehearsals
- instrumental instruction
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- teaching proper instrument-specific technique
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it appropriate to break conventional instrument roles?
- How does timbre affect musical expression?
Cross‑register experimentation can yield novel sounds, though it may clash with traditional expectations.