JMI Flute as a 2nd Instrument Class
Flute as a Second Instrument: A Practical Doubling Workshop
This eight-week workshop is designed for saxophonists and other experienced musicians who want to develop practical fluency on the flute. Whether you are interested in doubling for jazz, musical theatre, commercial work, teaching, or broadening your musical skills, the course will provide a structured introduction to flute technique and strategies to see improvement.
The workshop focuses on building a strong technical foundation while developing the specific skills needed to play the flute confidently and musically. Topics will include tone production, embouchure development, posture and instrument position, finger technique, range extension, octave flexibility, harmonics, articulation, intonation, dynamics, vibrato, and tone colour. The second half of the course will explore technique specific to jazz flute, how to effectively swing, jazz articulation and phrasing. Students will also participate in coached breakout sessions, open lessons, and flute ensemble work.
A major focus of the course is helping doublers develop efficient practice strategies. Participants will receive practical exercises and short practice routines designed to maintain flute technique alongside the demands of their principal instrument.
Location:
47 Brookes Street, Bowen Hills, QLD 4006
Class times:
Tuesdays 6pm to 8pm
2026 Term dates:
Term 4 2026 – 20th October to 8th December
Course Fees
The cost for the classes in 2026 is $484 incl. GST for the 8 weeks. There will be no refunds available after the second week of term unless the classes are cancelled by JMI.
There are weekly ($60.50/wk), fortnightly ($121/fn) and monthly ($242/mth) payment options available.
Course Requirements
This is not a beginner musicianship course. Participants should have:
- A principal instrument standard of approximately Grade 6 (AMEB or equivalent) or above
- Confident music reading skills
- A working knowledge of major and minor scales and basic music theory
- Reasonable technical fluency on their principal instrument
- Access to a playable concert flute for the duration of the course
No previous flute experience is required, although some familiarity with the instrument will be helpful. The course is particularly suitable for saxophonists who wish to begin doubling on flute or strengthen their existing flute skills in a jazz and contemporary context.
By the end of the course, participants will have a practical technical routine, the ability to play comfortably across the first two octaves, and the foundational skills required for jazz flute and ensemble doubling work.
About Rachelle
Rachelle Eastwood is a professional jazz and classical flautist, performer and educator with more than 20 years’ experience as a musician. Originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, she has performed across jazz, contemporary and orchestral settings, including with the Wellington Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, and some of New Zealand’s leading jazz musicians. She has also performed with her own projects and has worked as a musician in Montreal and New York.
Rachelle’s jazz flute journey began in Los Angeles when she met acclaimed flautist and musician Katisse Buckingham, known for his work on Anchorman as well as his extensive career in jazz and contemporary music. Their Zoom lessons began before online music tuition became commonplace and were instrumental in developing Rachelle’s jazz flute technique and musical vocabulary. Her studies with Katisse enabled her to enter directly into the third year of the Jazz Performance programme at the New Zealand School of Music.
She later spent a month in Cuba studying with renowned Cuban flautist Orlando “Maraca” Valle, further developing her understanding of Cuban rhythm, phrasing and the expressive possibilities of the flute.
Rachelle holds a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours in Jazz Performance, as well as a degree in Classical Performance, and has more than 20 years’ experience teaching flute. She brings this combination of performance experience, formal training and practical teaching experience to the workshop, with a particular focus on helping experienced musicians develop the technical and musical skills needed to make the flute a confident second instrument.
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