
My personal essentials for playing the piccolo
Three class lessons on Zoom with Natalie Schwaabe,
Piccoloist of the Bayerische Rundfunk Symphonieorchester


18 / 23 / 25 October 2023
time: 5:30 – 7:00 pm (UTC+2)
(Los Angeles 8.30-10.00am, NY 11.30-13.00am,
London 4.30-6.00pm, Rome 5.30-7.00pm, Paris 5.30-7.00pm,
Pechino 11.30-13.00pm, Tokyo 0.30-2.00am)
Registration is available from September 22th to October 1st
WARNING:
THE CLASS IS LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 7 PARTICIPANT STUDENTS,
TO ENSURE THE BEST INTERACTION WITH THE TEACHER DURING THE LIVE BROADCAST
SIGN UP NOW
Why this Masterclass?
The piccolo is a versatile, sensitive instrument which can at times really challenge the player. It can sound witty and powerful but also tender and sensual.
Having a solid technique is an essential part of playing, enabling you to show all of these characteristics and have fun with the instrument.
In this masterclass, Natalie will take you on a journey, sharing her own daily practice routines with you. Her personal essentials for obtaining a solid grounding on the piccolo, will provide you with tools and exercises to expand and better your own playing skills.

This Masterclass is dedicated to:
- Piccolo players who want to develop and strengthen their very own style of piccolo playing;
- Piccolo players who are curious about engaging with other players;
- Piccolo players who are already working in orchestras;
- Flutists who wish to participate in auditions where piccolo playing is also required
- Piccolo players who want to improve their performance skills.
This Masterclass should NOT be attended by:
- Piccolo players who are not interested in improving their style of piccolo playing
- Flutists who do not consider the study of the piccolo a serious and interesting thing
- Flutists who think they have nothing more to learn on the piccolo
- Users lacking a basic understanding of English
- Users who do not have a webcam and internet connection
This Masterclass is dedicated to:
- Piccolo players who want to develop and strengthen their very own style of piccolo playing;
- Piccolo players who are curious about engaging with other players;
- Piccolo players who are already working in orchestras;
- Flutists who wish to participate in auditions where piccolo playing is also required
- Piccolo players who want to improve their performance skills.
This Masterclass should NOT be attended by:
- Piccolo players who are not interested in improving their style of piccolo playing
- Flutists who do not consider the study of the piccolo a serious and interesting thing
- Flutists who think they have nothing more to learn on the piccolo
- Users lacking a basic understanding of English
- Users who do not have a webcam and internet connection
What will you learn in this masterclass?
Basic practice techniques to help develop a homogeneous and flexible sound
Ways in which to discover different tone colours
Intonation exercises to strengthen your inner ear and boost your confidence
Help with the high register
A closer look at articulation and dynamics
Ways in which to approach contemporary music
Basic practice techniques to help develop a homogeneous and flexible sound
Ways in which to discover different tone colours
Intonation exercises to strengthen your inner ear and boost your confidence
Help with the high register
A closer look at articulation and dynamics
Ways in which to approach contemporary music


THE MASTERCLASS INCLUDES:
3 group lessons divided into explanations by the teacher and interaction with the students
pdf of exercises specifically created by the teacher for the event
video recordings of the lessons, available for two weeks after the lesson
the certificate of participation in the Masterclass
The IPFA Masterclasses are unique events full
of energy, enthusiasm and desire to improve!


Natalie Schwaabe
Natalie Schwaabe has been a piccolo and flute player with the prestigious Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra since 1996. This has given her the opportunity of playing under the baton of great conductors such as Mariss Jansons, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta,
Sir Simon Rattle and Carlos Kleiber.
In addition to orchestral playing Natalie Schwaabe has a great passion for chamber music, performing regularly with her woodwind quintet. In 2017 she released her first solo CD Piccoloworks together with the pianist Jan Philip Schulze.
Teaching is a vital part of her musical career. She holds the piccolo teaching position at the „Hochschule für Musik und Theater” in Munich, is a founding member of the International Piccolo Flute Academy and gives many piccolo masterclasses worldwide.
She plays a Jochen Mehnert piccolo and lives in Munich with her husband and their 3 children.

Natalie Schwaabe
Natalie Schwaabe has been a piccolo and flute player with the prestigious Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra since 1996. This has given her the opportunity of playing under the baton of great conductors such as Mariss Jansons, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta,
Sir Simon Rattle and Carlos Kleiber.
In addition to orchestral playing Natalie Schwaabe has a great passion for chamber music, performing regularly with her woodwind quintet. In 2017 she released her first solo CD Piccoloworks together with the pianist Jan Philip Schulze.
Teaching is a vital part of her musical career. She holds the piccolo teaching position at the „Hochschule für Musik und Theater” in Munich, is a founding member of the International Piccolo Flute Academy and gives many piccolo masterclasses worldwide.
She plays a Jochen Mehnert piccolo and lives in Munich with her husband and their 3 children.
What the participants
of the previous masterclasses say

Melissa Blanco
“

Valerie Teresa Walter
“

Becky Stinnett
“

Gaby Prisco
“
You will be able to register from 22 September to October 1st
Participant Pass
- join the class live on Zoom
- ask Natalie Schwaabe any question during the live broadcast
- play the proposed exercises and Natalie will help you to correct them
- access to the recordings of the lessons for two weeks
- access to the scores of the exercises proposed
- get the certificate of participation
149,90 €
149,90 €
119,90 €
(for monthly subscribers*)
149,90 €
99,90 €
(for annual subscribers*)
*if you are an active member (or a former member) of the International Piccolo Flute Academy, you will receive an email with your discount code within the opening date of the carts.
Auditors Pass
- access to the recordings of the lessons for two weeks
- lifetime access to the scores of the exercises proposed
69,90 €
SIGN UP NOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any further doubts?
Write us an email at info@internationalpiccolofluteacademy.com
We will be happy to provide answers to your questions!
All photos with Natalie Schwaabe were taken by Astrid Ackermann