Ear playing for flute.

[Weatherlicious]

I'm actually a bass player, but I recently picked up the flute because I consider it to be one of the most beautiful instruments I have ever heard, and so suited to all styles of jazz. I have established a strong knowledge of musical theory in my bass playing, and I wanted to start learning the flute not through sheet music or scales but from ear. I have looked at fingering charts to learn the chromatics so far...does anyone how to go about learning to play the flute by ear; i.e. to improvise primarily.

[boglarka]

Playing jazz flute was started by jazz sax players who doubled on flute. So, you might want to consult jazz saxophone players about learning jazz by ear. Since you're a bass player, I'm sure you're able to read jazz charts (chord symbols, lead sheets). Jazz flutists read lead sheets to know the chords over which to improvise. Traditionally though, it is an aural tradition where knowledge is passed down by listening and learning from great masters of the genre.

To learn what sounds idiomatic on the flute when playing jazz, I suggest you listen to flute jazz CDs by some great musicians such as Yusef Lateef, Roland Kirk, James Newton, early Hubert Laws ("In the Beginning", "Wild Flower").

Lastly, you will need to practice a lot...with a small combo or at least a piano, so you learn how to actually go about improvising on chord changes...

[Phineas]

Weatherlicious

When I started flute, I was in the same boat as you. I play Guitar. All I can tell you is there is a different frame of mind you will have to master, and a lot more memorization.

On bass, you mainly memorize a pattern, and just move it around to change keys. On flute, you will have to memorize a lot more fingerings and passages.

I think it is totally possible to play flute by ear, however as you know in jazz, memorization is the key. Even though I can read just fine, most of my practicing is from memory, and from listening. One good excercise is play alongs CDs. Play-a-long CDs are often frowned upon in Classical music, but are essential for jazz. This will give you the opportunity to play over changes without a melody. This is a great way to develop improvising skills on any instrument.

www.jazzbooks.com
www.halleonard.com

You name it, the got a play along for it!

Good luck!

Phineas Henshaw

[Weatherlicious]

Thanks guys, I checked those sources with my music teacher and he says they're ideal. I appreciate the difficulty of having to remember so many cumulative fingering patterns too, it's far more complex than any stringed intrument I know of. Thanks for the tips.