Hi,
Firstly I'd like to introduce myself- my name's Mark and I've just registered on the forum.
I had my first flute lesson yesterday, after deciding to begin learning to play at 39 years' old.
I'd appreciate any thoughts/opinions from anyone regarding learning the flute at an older age, as it's usually an instrument learnt from an early age.
Thank you!
Learning Flute at 40
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
Re: Learning Flute at 40
Just have fun, and play the d**n thang. Anything else is a matter of getting out of the learning experience what you put into it. It is never too late!
I have taught many adults at different ages. The more successful ones are the ones that know what/how they want to play and pursue it. The ones that dont know do not usually long.
Welcome the fraternal order of flute players. Enjoy the journey! Welcome to the board!
Phineas
I have taught many adults at different ages. The more successful ones are the ones that know what/how they want to play and pursue it. The ones that dont know do not usually long.
Welcome the fraternal order of flute players. Enjoy the journey! Welcome to the board!
Phineas
-
MarkyRoyston
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Dec 02, 2013 12:00 pm
Re: Learning Flute at 40
Hi, Phineas
Thanks for your reply!
My passion is to learn classic flute, which is what my tutor is going to teach me. My goal is to one day be able to play nicely whilst reading music; I realise reading music is also going to be difficult, but I have the passion and desire to succeed, and feel that maybe my age could be an advantage as the passion is genuine, and I'm able to understand I need to be patient and put the hard work and practise in to succeed.
Immediately it became apparent there's going to be work required on my posture, as without realising it a health problem has caused me to lean my shoulders forward; this work during lessons should not only help my flute playing, but also help me to start bringing my shoulders back naturally throughout the day, and hopefully become less tense.
I'll post my progress as it (hopefully), improves...
Mark
Thanks for your reply!
My passion is to learn classic flute, which is what my tutor is going to teach me. My goal is to one day be able to play nicely whilst reading music; I realise reading music is also going to be difficult, but I have the passion and desire to succeed, and feel that maybe my age could be an advantage as the passion is genuine, and I'm able to understand I need to be patient and put the hard work and practise in to succeed.
Immediately it became apparent there's going to be work required on my posture, as without realising it a health problem has caused me to lean my shoulders forward; this work during lessons should not only help my flute playing, but also help me to start bringing my shoulders back naturally throughout the day, and hopefully become less tense.
I'll post my progress as it (hopefully), improves...
Mark
-
wall flood
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:46 am
Re: Learning Flute at 40
Be patient with yourself. It can take at least 6 months to make what you may consider satisfactory progress, then 2-3 years to be somewhat competent.
Take lessons. Weekly even.
Practice a lot. The gift children have is time. What many adults don't realize is even somewhat motivated children will practice 1-2 hours a day and several hours on weekends. You need to find a way to replicate this developmental process all while having adult obligations. Its not that hard really. Rather than hanging out at the bar or coaching soccer, you will be practicing instead.
Dont get discouraged. You're going to meet a lot of people including children who are very good. Just remember in a couple years (with hard work) you can actually play WITH them just maybe not first chair. I play second chair in my wind ensemble and thats ok.
Learn how to practice efficiently and scientifically. The are smart, efficient ways to practice or ways to waste hours of time. If you are older and have any repetitive motion injuries you may have to learn to break up your practice. I can only do hours if jazz patterns a couple times a week. Not daily or my chops hurt. Weght lifters have to schedule theirs workouts. Some musical stuff is the same way.
Warm up well everyday. Then the rest of the day goes much better.
Take 1 day ofc a week from practice. This lets my chops and brain rest, and makes me miss it more.
Listen to great flute players. Buy some CDs (or whatever media you like) and listen to it in your car etc.
When you start to get decent seek out community bands. This is the best way to challenge yourself and really make progress fast. You can even play in college concert bands and wind ensembles without being a music major. Many colleges will let you audit a class for half price. You can play in challenging environments for life this way.
Find those holes in your life to get your fingers on your instrument. I know a lot of people who get up at 4am to get their 2 hours a day in. I know people who play at work during lunch or breaks (flutes are very portable). On top of my daily practice I play scales, patterns, or passages sitting on the couch while my family watches TV. Irritates them some but they've grown used to it. If I travel I bring a flute
If you have posture issues consider standing for part of your practice. My teacher holds her lessons this way.
Get a good music stand. The cheap foldup ones can be frustrating.
Get the best flute you can afford. A well regulated student yamaha can play wonders.
Practice, practice, practice. Playing music involves muscle memory. Correct repetition over and over and over is key to any level of facility let alone virtuosity.
Have fun!
Take lessons. Weekly even.
Practice a lot. The gift children have is time. What many adults don't realize is even somewhat motivated children will practice 1-2 hours a day and several hours on weekends. You need to find a way to replicate this developmental process all while having adult obligations. Its not that hard really. Rather than hanging out at the bar or coaching soccer, you will be practicing instead.
Dont get discouraged. You're going to meet a lot of people including children who are very good. Just remember in a couple years (with hard work) you can actually play WITH them just maybe not first chair. I play second chair in my wind ensemble and thats ok.
Learn how to practice efficiently and scientifically. The are smart, efficient ways to practice or ways to waste hours of time. If you are older and have any repetitive motion injuries you may have to learn to break up your practice. I can only do hours if jazz patterns a couple times a week. Not daily or my chops hurt. Weght lifters have to schedule theirs workouts. Some musical stuff is the same way.
Warm up well everyday. Then the rest of the day goes much better.
Take 1 day ofc a week from practice. This lets my chops and brain rest, and makes me miss it more.
Listen to great flute players. Buy some CDs (or whatever media you like) and listen to it in your car etc.
When you start to get decent seek out community bands. This is the best way to challenge yourself and really make progress fast. You can even play in college concert bands and wind ensembles without being a music major. Many colleges will let you audit a class for half price. You can play in challenging environments for life this way.
Find those holes in your life to get your fingers on your instrument. I know a lot of people who get up at 4am to get their 2 hours a day in. I know people who play at work during lunch or breaks (flutes are very portable). On top of my daily practice I play scales, patterns, or passages sitting on the couch while my family watches TV. Irritates them some but they've grown used to it. If I travel I bring a flute
If you have posture issues consider standing for part of your practice. My teacher holds her lessons this way.
Get a good music stand. The cheap foldup ones can be frustrating.
Get the best flute you can afford. A well regulated student yamaha can play wonders.
Practice, practice, practice. Playing music involves muscle memory. Correct repetition over and over and over is key to any level of facility let alone virtuosity.
Have fun!
Re: Learning Flute at 40
I can't stress enough what everyone else is saying: Just play the thing. Have fun!
I have a few friends who play the flute on so many levels but what makes most of them do it, just the sheer fun of it.
If you want to learn aspects of flute playing I can't recommend the TheFluteChannel.com enough.
Happy Fluting.
I have a few friends who play the flute on so many levels but what makes most of them do it, just the sheer fun of it.
If you want to learn aspects of flute playing I can't recommend the TheFluteChannel.com enough.
Happy Fluting.