Ruth Kasckow's unique teaching method integrates traditional music training with Body Mapping for fluid, effortless and expressive playing.

Most of us are familiar with what is known as traditional music training. Traditional music training is the practice of technique, breath control, tone production, music theory and musical interpretation.

In the early stages of learning flute, one learns the basics of the instrument: how to read notes and rhythms, how to produce a tone, scales, basic music theory and musical phrasing. Through continued study, the student learns how to play more notes, more complicated rhythm patterms, varied and expressive tones, different kinds of scales, more advanced theory and more sophisticated and nuanced musical phrasing.

Body Mapping and Flute Playing

Body Mapping is the conscious correcting and refining of one's body map. The body map is our representation in our brain of how are bodies are put together. The accuracy of our body map greatly affects how we use our bodies while playing flute; the more accurate and finely attuned we are, the more fluid, efficient and free we become in our playing.

Learning all aspects of traditional music training with the practice of Body Mapping produces notable differences in breathing, phrasing, technique, expressivity, ensemble playing, intonation and blending. Playing an instrument becomes easier and more relaxed because movement, balance and awareness are greatly improved. Good use of fine and gross motor movements reduces the tension, stiffness and injury sometimes associated with playing an instrument.

Ruth's study of Body Mapping has had a huge effect on her own flute playing in reducing tension, understanding the body and allowing a much larger expressive musical palette available to her. Flute playing is simply more relaxed and enjoyable because of it. She has seen and heard the difference it makes with her students and other flutists.

Ruth's Teaching

Ruth uses many resources for her teaching. For beginning students, she uses the Suzuki flute books, scales and duets and a variety of books for learning sightreading. As the student progresses, the standard flute repertoire becomes more challenging with increased opportunities for performance. With the advanced student, the emphasis is on how good use of the body through Body Mapping can achieve greater mastery technically and musically.

Students will find that it's a lot of fun studying with Ruth. During a lesson students can record themselves for instant feedback. They may find themselves sitting on a large exercise ball to feel balance or draping over the ball to experience free breathing. There is always discussion about how the body works relative to playing flute with the aid of images, books and models. Her approach is always positive and encouraging to bring out the best in the student.

Ruth's Teaching Experience

Ruth has been teaching privately for over twenty five years. She has taught in Baltimore City, Mexico City, Pasadena Conservatory of Music and Old Town Music Co. She presently maintains a private studio in her home in La Canada in the Los Angeles area. She has also worked extensively with coaching flute ensembles and sectionals.

Ruth as a member of Music Teachers Association of California, provides her students with the opportunity to participate in the Certificate of Merit program. She is currently an Andover Educators trainee and is working toward completing her certification in Body Mapping training.

Ruth's Duet Books

Ruth has developed a series of books called The Flute Duet Practice Books. The books have been written to expose, teach and review flute technique to students, making learning a very enjoyable and positive experience. Flute choirs, bands and flute players of all levels have found the duets to be beneficial to their flute playing.

The first two books cover scales, arpeggios and thirds in major keys and minor keys. The third book covers an array of duets highlighting chromatic scales, whole tone scales, double tonguing, triple tonguing, meter changes and more.

Contact Ruth

Ruth Kasckow is available for teaching private and group lessons, masterclasses and clinics, coaching ensembles and Body Mapping presentations.