Description
Not long ago, Laura began wondering whether her warmup allowed her to explore the full range of color and emotion she was seeking in her playing—and whether it could bring her joy in the process. Inspired by a five-note, modal exercise called “Each Motif One Fast Puff of Air” (attributed to Sam Baron), she began incorporating modal improvisation into her routine, developing a warmup that invites reflection, attention, and playful experimentation.
Selected for inclusion in the 2025 National Flute Association Selected Flute Repertoire and Studies Guide, Modal Flute Warmup has been recognized as “an important contribution to the work of flutists who explore outside of the strictly tonal realm.”
Rooted in the expressive possibilities of modes, the book is organized around six sequential, thoughtfully designed mode-based warmup exercises that engage the flutist’s attention, imagination, and listening skills. Lentz encourages inquiry, reflection, and self-observation—helping flutists notice what they hear, feel, and experience, creating space for questions, discoveries, and musical insight.
Chapter 1: Start to Discover
The book begins with nine Start to Discover sections, guiding flutists to approach practice with awareness and curiosity:
- Introduction
- Body Awareness
- Breathing
- Embouchure
- Tone
- Technique
- Articulation
- Expressive Elements
- Practicing & Your Flute
These sections provide a foundation for mindful exploration of sound and technique, offering prompts and reflections that can be applied throughout the exercises. By bringing an air of discovery to practice, flutists engage fully with what they hear, feel, and experience—sparking “aha” moments and deepening understanding of their own playing.
Chapter 2: 6-Part Modal Warmup
The heart of the book is the six-part sequential modal warmup:
- Part 1: Modal Airy Sounds
- Part 2: Modal Harmonics
- Part 3: Modal Patterns
- Part 4: Modal Root Patterns
- Part 5: Modal Noodles (with improvisation prompts)
- Part 6: Modal Melodic Patterns
In the new version: Part 6 now includes a duet part, allowing flutists to warm up together side by side—perfect for teachers and students, studio partners, or colleagues.
Through all these exercises, flutists encounter new sounds, fingering combinations, and emotional qualities. Prompts encourage reflection, listening, and creative improvisation, allowing players to explore tone color, phrasing, and expressive ideas.
Chapter 3: Modal Flute Duets & Other Expanded Features
The expanded version introduces seven newly composed Modal Flute Duets, designed for equal collaboration:
- Shaping phrasing, color, and dialogue while exploring modal playing
- Incorporating extended techniques, ensemble listening, and improvisation
- Ideal for teachers, students, friends, or colleagues
- Drones and recordings for these duets are available on Bandcamp: Modal Flute Warmup Duets
Additionally, newly composed drones by Rochester composer Sean William Calhoun are now available to support the six-part warmup:
- Provide a stable pitch center to support intonation and modal gravitation
- Create an inspiring soundscape for the six-part warmup
- These drones can be found at YouTube: Modal Flute Warmup Drones
The expanded version also includes Discovery Flute Cards, developed by Laura Lentz and Anastasia Mousouli:
- 80 short prompts organized into four themes: Noticing, Imagining, Experimenting, and Expressing
- Designed for warmups, practice, lessons, rehearsals, or creative breaks
- Encourage reflection, improvisation, and creative engagement with breath, sound, emotion, and artistic voice
Modal Flute Warmup is an essential resource for flutists and teachers seeking a warmup approach that supports curiosity, reflection, and joyful discovery—whether practicing alone, exploring duets, or engaging in improvisatory exercises.
Amy Porter –
“Fantastic. Unlock that door and walk into the modal sunshine!”
— Amy Porter, Professor of Flute, University of Michigan
Joanna Bassett –
“In Modal Flute Warmup, Laura Lentz guides us thoughtfully through the creative process of awareness and discovery, with simple and beautifully written exercises for the body and musical mind. With warmups as our mantras, the use of modes and improvisation offers a fresh approach to a colorful sound. Her book is enlightening for the evolving and seasoned musician alike!”
— Joanna Bassett, Associate Dean at the Hochstein School of Music, President Rochester Flute Association
Camilla Hoitenga –
“I love this book!! The well-thought-out and clearly presented ideas and exercises are both enjoyable and inspiring. A very special and useful addition to every flutist’s library.”
— Camilla Hoitenga, Concert Artist
Rebecca Gilbert –
“Laura gives us a fresh look at harmony and color with her new book. The exercises unfold like an impressionist introducing shades of light and lead a flutist through a kaleidoscope of modes as a framework for understanding emotional expression in sound.”
— Rebecca Gilbert, principal flutist of Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Lea Pearson –
“In Modal Flute Warmup Laura has done something extraordinary. She has infused a book about modes, which some might consider a strictly technical exercise, with love, passion, expression, history, harmony, improvisation, and the delicacy of embouchure and movement – essential tools for every flutist.”
— Lea Pearson, DMA, author
Kathleen Weidenfeller –
“Laura, THANK YOU for finding a way to create a book that encourages awareness and curiosity in practice. An essential work for any flutist who finds themselves disconnected from themselves in practice (as we all can from time to time!)”
— Kathleen Weidenfeller, DMA, flutist, educator, host of ’The Flute Suite’ podcast
Annette Farrington –
“Laura’s new flute book, Modal Flute Warmup, is a synthesis of her own approach to playing—that is to play every note with intention, artistry, and curiosity. This book is one we didn’t even know we needed, but so desperately need, because it invites student and veteran flutists alike to dare to play with freedom and curiosity. If you have been searching for a way to find your own unique musical voice on the flute, then this is the book for you.”
— Annette Farrington, flutist, faculty Nazareth University, Rochester, NY
Jennifer Kennard –
“Modal Flute Warmup is an excellent addition to any flutist’s library and practice as it provides a warm-up model that both inspires and engages the player as they discover new aspects of their sound.”
— Jennifer Kennard, DMA, educator, NFA Special Publications Committee
Laura Pillman Patterson –
“Modal Flute Warmup is a comprehensive method divided into two main sections: “Start to
Discover,” and “6-Part Modal Warmup.” “Start to Discover” includes reading, exercises, and
bibliographies on flute essentials such as body awareness, tone, expressive elements, and
more. “6-Part Modal Warmup” is a more traditional layout of technical exercises in each mode,
divided by root pitch. These noodly exercises are great for flutists who have mostly focused on
chromatic, major, and minor patterns. Some exercises switch between harmonics and normal
tone quality, building in embouchure exercise along with the technical. Lentz includes
instructions and inspiration throughout for flutists wanting to experiment with improvisation,
tying into the subheading of her publication: Sound Discovery and Color Palette Expansion.
Notably, the technical exercises are each preceded by sections called Exploration and Discovery
that encourage the flutist to consider their tone color, if they use any new fingering
combinations, experience any new emotions, and how they experience any improvisation.
Lentz includes handy staves at the end of each modal exercise to transcribe any favorite
improvisations or transcriptions the flutist wants to remember. This book is perfect for younger
and experienced players alike, and anyone who wants to refresh their technical routine!”
— Laura Pillman Patterson
Instructor, University of Alabama in Huntsville