Static vs. Dynamic Long Tones 

Long tones should be a part of daily practice for all flutists, and piccolo players too.  However, it is common for students to 'go thru the motions' and play them robotically with very little true attention to the process. I am such a fan of the simple 1/2 step routines in the Moyse classic De La Sonorite book. And, setting up students for success requires that simple half step studies be mastered, making sure both notes are pure and even in sound.  With more advanced students, it is more challenging to have them play 'dynamic' long tones, requiring crescendo/diminuendo, color change, perhaps also including wider range requirements across the registers. To me, Static long tones are all about getting the basics of sound (purity, clarity, color evenness across the registers). Dynamic long tones have all of this PLUS shape (in color and dynamics). This is the key to advanced tonal practice, because this is the way we play phrases in music. I've heard too many lessons where the repertory sounds awesome and tone studies rather dead.  Too many students just put in the time doing long tones...without the artistry of tone. Keep the creativity alive in all areas of your practice....