Fluteland.com Flute Message Board

I think the original reason for pitching instruments in different keys was to keep their notes closer to the five lines of their staff as much as possible without resorting to C-clef. It might have also taken into consideration that many instrumentalists play several different instruments. This way,...

Phineas was right about the sight-reading technique, but I feel he didn't stress enough the importance of scale exercises. When you practice your scales, don't use the same rhythm every day. One rhythm a week, then switch to another one to work on. The hardest will be the Scottish "kick"--the sixtee...

You should be breathing from your diaphram. I hate to nitpick, but your diaphragm has very little to do with it. Sure, it pulls away from your lungs, but what really does the work are your Abdominal muscles. Think about the Abs instead of the diaphragm and you will see increased capacity and contro...

I'm a Music Education Major, currently student teaching. I've been playing flute for 12 years (since 6th grade) and I have always used a Gemeinhardt. I have used three different Gem. flutes: 2SP, 3SB, and now I have a 33SB. Maybe I'll get another one in a few years, but the current plan is that this...

I marched with a Gemeinhardt plastic picc for 4 years in HS and I'm student teaching right now. I would recommend using one of those. I only messed it up once, and that was because I was really stupid and had too many cokes--I got new pads my Senior year of HS and my Junior year of college. It is a ...

My voice teacher (I'm instrumental/voice emphasis music ed major) is training with an Alexander Coach to get her certification. She does a lot of stuff in my voice lesson that crosses over to flute and piano. I think it all starts with good posture and lining up your body. Be sure your feet are shou...

I am a 3rd year Music Ed major- I bought my new flute my second year of school. I would recommend that you try out some flutes at the State Music Convention next spring and see what you like, then ask your flute teacher for recommendations. Be sure you play a lot of flutes before you make your choic...

I am a 3rd year Music Education Major. Last year, I purchased a Gemeinhardt 33SSB. I've played on the school's Yamaha equivalent, but Gemeinhardt has been what I have stuck with for over 8 years of flute playing. I think I got a deal for it through my flute teacher, who happens to own a music store....

I would like to thank everyone for their suggestions- keep posting here with ideas for flutes. I ended up with a Gemeinhardt 33SB. The Keys are plated, but everything else is solid silver. I love the tone and the way it fits in my hands. Everything I could dream of! Only thing that seems to be wrong...

Yes! I have seen people use this- I always wondered why because I don't use make-up and it didn't make sense to me. Thanks for pointing this out- it will help when I'm teaching Band in a few years. :) [quote] ---------------- If you put a piece of medical tape on your lip plate, you won't get "flute...

Suite Modale by Bloch is a good choice, too.
Level 5 or so. I have been playing it for a few years now. All the movements are
fun, and the fourth one has reiterations of all the previous themes and would be
a good choice.

A suggestion that I have been toying with is something like an "N-sync" type head piece that boy bands or pop solists use on stage. It would have to have a longer wire between your ear and the mic, but if you hook that under the flute's headjoint ans set it out near the front of the lip plate, it ma...

Pain in your jaw? Are you jamming your flute into your chin?
If you are, stop. It should rest comfortably. Do you have a pronounced jaw bone
that makes your chin stick out more than other people?

Ah, me... Copyright... I just attended a clinic session on copyright last weekend. According to the workshop notes, if you are intending to use the music for instructional/academic purposes only and not for performance, you can make one photocopy of the music per student. After that, you must collec...

I would recommend purchasing a used flute for your first flute. Go to a pawn shop with another flutist and check out what they have. Be sure to play it before you buy it- the tone/sound is everything when it comes to buying a flute. If you decide to purchase a new flute, I would recommend going to a...