Liliflute Music
Latin American Music - Self Publisher
Merging Cultures Through Music!
Etude of the Week FB - January 2024
Traversuras Progressions & Tonguing!
Reviewed by Carla Rees for PAN,
the Journal of the British Flute Society
Support our editions and publications of Paul Desenne's works
Liliflute Music is a Self-publisher of Latin American music, created by award-winning Colombian flutist and composer Carmen Marulanda. Our catalog of original studies based on Latin American Styles for flute and woodwind students of all ages, among chamber ensembles are constantly expanding. A unique resource in Original Latin American Music.
Merging teaching experience and the knowledge of rich local traditions, Liliflute's books represent one of the newest musical trends where educational and creative approaches work together to improve the quality of practice time and real performance.
Liliflute Music also publishes original chamber and Symphonic music by noted contemporary composer Paul Desenne.
​
-Loved the reading group and the music! Pamela M. -Wonderful playing and enthusiasm for sharing your music. L.A and S. A. music is so in-demand now - you provide a great service! Catherine R. -Nice people with a lovely product. It was the first item out of my bag when I got home. Such fun to get my flute and five it a run-through. What could be better? Thanks. Letha D. -Vendor tops! complete with demonstration. Wishing her well. -This product is awesome and we really enjoyed our own private recital! H.Laingen.
Molly Shortridge
Here is the extremely talented and gracious Carmen Liliana Marulanda, who writes wonderful Colombian flute music and methods. Her efforts are a great service to us all!
​
Susie Gutsch Leeper
​
I love using the Traversuras series with my beginners and intermediate students.
It introduces them to the major and minor scales in a fun way while reinforcing their knowledge of rhythms combined with varied articulations.It is great to use with my high school students for sight reading at the end of their lesson.
​
Marcia Ganeles
​
Carmen, I love your book and the play along mp3. Your flute playing is just beautiful and I love the compositions. Thank you so much for making such beautiful music available to use, to listen, to learn and to play.
Muchas Gracias, Marcia
​
Deb Wehman
There is something about playing my flute with your accompaniment that makes my heart sing. I can't tell you how many times playing those songs gets me out of a flute "funk" or any kind of funk . So thank you for having the creative vision.
​
Louis Gundelach
​
I would like to recommend the music of Carmen Marulanda. Exciting Colombian rhythms on a play along CD's. Traversuras is the other book. Very useful for students also, and very enjoyable to play.
I have just ordered the duets.
Can hardly wait.
Just for the record: I am not connected to the company in any ways. I just a huge fan. The more we buy, the more she will write,
I hope
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Lara Campbell
I attended Carmen's class on Latin American music at the 2017 Mid-atlantic Flute Convention. We played some traditional Colombian pieces and some beautiful original pieces she had written herself. It was such a fun class!! It really broke me out of my mold, having only played Classical music growing up. I bought some books from Carmen and she sent me links for the audio recordings, so I can listen to them and play along. I really look forward to playing from these books. Her class was the highlight of the conference for me!
​
​
Janese Sampson
(RIP)
​
"I am thinking about when I first met you at the Flute Convention. As a teacher I was struck by the way you used Colombian idioms to give students a more exciting and challenging way to understand scales, arpeggios, chromaticism, exotic rhythms"
Viviana Guzman
Exciting new music
I have a few of Carmen Liliana Marulanda's Colombian (note spelling of this country is with an "o") Rhythms and play along CD's and they are fabulous and mega FUN!!!!
​
Alexa Still
​
I'd like to second this endorsement!
​
​
Mary Opperman
​
I was looking for something to do with my students as a replacement for playing duets in their online flute lessons. I purchased one of the Booklets with accompaniment from Liliflute and absolutely love the pieces!
They are challenging enough to work on rhythmic sight reading and the accmp. makes them so much more fun! I will be buying more of the Booklets and also some of the more advanced repertoire for myself and my performance majors.
Thank you Carmen!
PAN, The Journal of the British Flute Society (Studies & Technical exercises, March/24 issue)
-Traversuras Progressions & Tonguing
​
This is a collection of five original studies in Latin styles which are aimed at intermediate to advanced players. Each study is written in a different style, originating from Brazil, Mexico, Colombia/Ecuador, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, and a useful description of the style and history is provided.
The first two studies are designed for practice in double and triple tonguing respectively, and have plenty of character. The next three are based on progressions through the keys, and combine finger dexterity with an evenness across all of the keys. Some elements of variation appear through the different keys to maintain interest and concentration. The book also comes with supporting mp3 accompaniment tracks to provide further interest and challenge in practice sessions.
This is a lovely set of studies which are fun to play; it's refreshing to be able to practise traditional techniques through a wider range of styles and the rhythms of each of the studies also adds an area of focus. The progressions through the keys also help to gain an understanding of modulations which could be applied to one's individual musical ideas. Played solo, these pieces also have potential to be played at any tempo (including extremely fast) which makes them flexible to the needs of the individual as well.
Well worth a look for intermediate to advanced players who are looking for something a bit different or need a break from the more standard study books.
Carla Rees
​
​
​
THE FLUTIST QUARTERLY FALL, 2015 - National Flute Association
-Traversuras Intermediate and Duets I-II
These collections of flute and piano and flute duet pieces by flutist/composer Carmen Liliana Marulanda are delightful additions to the teaching repertoire. Their organization is more or less in progressive order from easiest to most difficult in terms of technique and rhythmic dexterity.
The solo book for flute and piano features 15 pieces that average a page in length approximately 64 measures. Each piece is an original composition by Marulanda and reflects particular folk music from Colombia, or other regions such as the Caribbean and Ecuador. In total, eight genres/rhythms are represented in the book, and a brief description is included in the preface pages in both English and Spanish.
Within the solo book’s tables of contents (for both the sheet music and its accompanying CD), the author has included a summary of the teaching focus for each piece/exercise—embouchure, scales in thirds, articulation, and the like. The keys explored stay within three sharps and two flats in both major and minor. Most of the book’s melodies are based within the staff or slightly over, to F6. Only in the last piece does an A6 appear. Coordinating the flute part with the CD may be a little challenging at first for beginning players. The piano score indicates that both instruments start at the beginning, but if the flutist wants to play with the recording, the footnoted instructions indicate to wait a prescribed number of measures before starting.
Since most of the recorded accompaniments are ostinato patterns with the claves indicating the downbeat of each introductory measure, it may be difficult for a player unfamiliar with these accompaniment patterns to enter. A “count off ” may have been helpful to introduce the recordings.
The rhythms are quite fun and will certainly provide good practice as they intertwine with the piano parts. The first exercises begin tamely but then gradually morph into more complex forms that include syncopation.
The duet books come in two volumes. The first focuses on sound, arpeggios, scales, thirds, and legato articulation in five pieces: Guabina, Gabán (Joropo), Pasaje (Joropo), Torbellino,and Rhumba (in the keys of G, D, and F major). The second volume focuses on sound, high register, arpeggios, chromatic scales, and double-tonguing in an additional five pieces: Pasaje Folía, Torbellino, Rajaleña, Bolero Rhumba, and Polka Chocoana (in the keys of D minor, A minor, B flat major, and E flat major). The author includes brief explanations of the musical background of each type of piece and rhythm.
Within Volume I, there is a jump in required ability from the first duet to the remaining four. The first duet is quite tame; its first flute part plays half notes and quarter notes within the staff, but the subsequent four duets require more rhythmic dexterity and the ability to play up to F6. The second volume of duets has a nice variety of styles and is a bit more consistent in terms of level than Volume I, and each piece presents a new rhythmic challenge. An example is the Rajaleña, which features frequent hemiolas. For those looking for a creative way to challenge students while introducing different cultures and rhythms, this series of books will make a wonderful addition to the teaching repertoire.
Julie Koidin
The Flute Method by Carmen Liliana Marulanda, based on the rhythms of the musical traditions indigenous to Colombia, offers the most complete, natural and integral work for the flute that I have encountered in recent years. The technical and musical development of this method is gradually integrated into the learning of rhythms, melodies and phrasing typical of Colombian music, which makes their study a challenging, fun and satisfying work, all at once. The number of genres presented in this work is considerable, allowing the flutist to immerse himself or herself naturally in an important musical culture of the South American Continent.
The recorded accompaniments to this method are very well executed and properly recorded and serve as strong rhythmic and musical bases for the flutist to understand and interpret with certainty this beautiful music from Colombia. It is with great pleasure that I recommend this method to anyone wishing to learn about the music from Colombia and Latin America in general.
​
The pieces in this well-presented collection by Colombian composer and flutist Carmen Liliana Marulanda include a range of Colombian rhythmic patterns useful for the player to learn and to understand; they also provide useful educational material. Each piece has a specific purpose, outlined in the preface, and the dance styles are clearly explained. The music itself is of intermediate standard, with well-written guitar parts and instinctive flute writing. The pieces are relatively short but could be performed individually or in groups and would provide an interesting stylistic contrast within a more traditional recital, as well as being ideal for Latin-themed performances. The score comes with a CD recording of each of the tracks, performed by Luis Julio Toro and Marco Granados. (The Flutist Quarterly, Fall Issue 2013)
http://www.nfaonline.org/publications/the-flutist-quarterly
​
It is not a secret that in the past years the world has turned its attention into the music of the Latin American countries. One country with a vast assortment of complex but catchy rhythms and melodies is Colombia. Carmen Liliana Marulanda, a native of Colombia, was able to create a method book for the clarinet that is, in a way, traditional. Traditional because her method book is progressive in the level of difficulty and covers almost all of the technical aspects in the development of a proper technique for the instrument, such as scales, arpeggios, intervals, chromatic work, articulation, legato, etc. But her artistry consisted in achieving all of this while using, as an inspiration, rhythms and melodic traits of her country of birth.
This kind of method book would be perfect as an initiation into Colombian-Latin American rhythms but also as a correct but enjoyable way of acquiring a great clarinet technique.
The method book comes with play-along accompaniments, so the student can have the wonderful experience of playing the etudes with an accompaniment that is very authentic. Playing along with the recording I even thought that some of the studies could be performed as little “concert-pieces”.
There is nothing more entertaining, enjoyable and rewarding than playing duets with a friend or with your teacher. Playing duets is even better when the material played is enjoyable, fun and yet educational. That is the case of Carmen Marulanda’s Clarinet Duets I & II. In each one of these duets, Carmen addresses a very important aspect of the clarinet technique while acquainting the student with some of the most popular Latin-American harmonies and rhythms. Both parts are different but equally challenging so I recommend the practice and performance of both parts.
Because of the way these duets have being composed; I do not doubt that they could be performed as little concert-pieces.
Jorge Montilla
Clarinet and Chamber Music Professor at Longy School of Music of Bard College
Former Principal Clarinet of the Simon Bolivar Orchestra and the Caracas Clarinet Quartet
Rico, Clarinetclassics, Rossi and Gao Artist
​
​
Carmen Liliana Marulanda has put together a delightful and vivacious book of Colombian melodies and dances, providing a rich source for all flutists – especially those of us on the lookout for new adventures in music.
​
​
​
​
What an exciting way to practice the flute! This collection of original pieces by Colombian flutist Carmen Liliana Marulanda is charming, educational and so much fun to play. The progressive pieces are an excellent tool for flute students, alone or with the guidance of a teacher, to reinforce fundamentals like scales, arpeggios, and especially rhythm, while playing along with the beautifully-performed, authentic Colombian accompaniment. I highly recommend these books for all flutists to get a taste of musical styles from another part of the world!
Diane Grubbe, flautista
Quinteto Latino
​
​
Carmen Liliana Marulanda's flute study method offers a unique opportunity for students to enter a level of real performance, interacting with recorded accompaniments to accomplish rhythmic precision, personal phrasing and ornamentation, and above all, to use their ears instead of only using the eye, something which could in some cases be a discovery. Carmen's melodies, based on traditional Colombian music, are seductive, stimulating, and delicious to play, with a reasonable level of difficulty; students are encouraged to reach the final stage of performance, in which they can hear themselves play for real.
Luis Julio Toro
ARCMFounder/director of ensemble Gurrufío and one of Latin America's leading flutists
​
Carmen Liliana Marulanda's book entitled “12 Colombian Pieces for Flute and Guitar” is a great attribute to the Latin American flute repertoire and to the very scarce flute and guitar repertoire. The book covers a variety of Colombian musical styles from different regions of the country offering players of all different levels new rhythmic and melodic passages and the option to practice technique and tone in a fun way. The harmonic structure of these pieces is really ear catching, and you can practice either with a guitarist or with the CD accompaniment that comes along with the book. In addition to this, each piece was recorded with full instrumentation in collaboration with renowned Venezuelan flutists Marco Granados and Luis Julio Toro, allowing the flutist to listen to the pieces being performed with the proper style and feel. The wonderful thing about this books is that the pieces in it can serve as studies or repertoire for live performances. I was happy to perform a special arrangement of "El Torbellimatico" for two flute, which is originally a piece from the “12 Colombian Pieces for Flute and Guitar” that Carmen so graciously arranged for the 2013 Nagahara Flutes NFA Exhibitor showcase. The audience couldn't help but ask about this piece after the performance because Carmen's composition and approach to Colombian music is just as much fun to listen to as it is to play it! I believe this is by far one of the best sources for Colombian and Latin American flute repertoire today and will definitely recommend this book to my students and anyone else interested in spicing up their flute studies!"
Geraldine Morillo Barazarte
Marketing and Sales Director at Nagahara Flutes
​
Carmen Liliana Marulanda's Traversuras is an excellent collection of pieces for flutists young and old. It is evident that the composer is both a fine musician and an excellent teacher, writing musically expressive etudes which offer good training in beginning and intermediate flute technique. Even my youngest students can play the first sections of the first piece and have a satisfying musical experience using the notes B, A, and G. Older students enjoy the collection because it gives them a chance to experience phrase structure, variations on a theme, and new rhythms. My students learn to keep going and recover from mistakes because they are playing with a steady rhythmic ostinato. They begin to understand how their "mistakes" can actually lead to new improvised variations, and the repetition of rhythmic motifs reinforces the new rhythms they are learning. Most importantly, these pieces are good music and fun to play - there is no better motivation to practice! I enjoy playing them as much as my students! I highly recommend Carmen's work to any flutist and flute teacher. (And don't worry, the piano parts are so easy that you can definitely play them. While paying attention to how your student is playing!)
​
Boston flute teacher, performer, and teaching artist
​
​
​
