Hi - I'm new

GerryG · Post by **GerryG** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 1:43 pm

My name is Gerry and I bought my first flute 2 weeks ago. I played
trumpet in grade school and high school, thoroughly enjoyed it but have always
really wanted to try flute and piccolo. I''m 53 so I guess I''m starting
this pretty late in life but am very excited and practice an hour or two each
night trying to progress to the point where I can play some "real music".
It''s great to be back into music and maybe a some point I''ll join the
local Community Band. I''m looking forward to learning with all of you and
having a great time. Gerry

Sharony711 · Post by **Sharony711** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 4:59 pm

I'm sure you'll soon find out that the flute is a great
instrument. It's difficutlt at first, but you'll find yourself playing "real
music" in no time. It's interesting you play trumpet because I've actually
thought about taking that up also. I'm also new here and I don't think I have
properly intoduced myself. I'm 15 and this is my fifth year playing the flute.
I recently got a new one, and love every inch of it. This seems like a great
message board, I'm sure it will be very helpful having a place to go to with my
questions.

GerryG · Post by **GerryG** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 11:21 am

Thanks for the encouragement. If you're thinking of playing
trumpet - go for it. It's very different from flute in that you basically only
deal with two octaves and much simpler fingerings since there are only 3 valves.
With trumpet, yu do most of the work with your embouchure to reach the various
notes. In the beginning or when you get rusty like me from not playing for
years, your lips get real tired real fast! I think you'd enjoy the change of
pace since the trumpet often plays main melodies and not the intricate runs that
flute parts often have in them. Have fun with it - hope you decide to do it!
Gerry G

damjan · Post by **damjan** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 12:32 pm

Hello Sharony and Gerry, I just wanted to post a bit of warning.
Although flute playing will not hurt someones trumpet playing, trumpet playing
might hurt how well you will be able to play the flute. The reason is that your
lips perform two very different functions on these two instruments; on the
trumpet your lips buzz but on the flute your lips channel the air very precisely
into the flute. It is important that the lips remain sensitive and grow more and
more sensitive with time because of that. The pressure that trumpet playing puts
on the lips reduces your lip sensitivity and might therefore prevent you from
becoming a really good flute player. Therefore, it is important to decide what
you really want. If you want to play the flute professionally or really well,
you should probably not play the trumpet because of your lips. However, if you
are a trumpet player and want to play flute for your own pleasure, there is no
real reason why you shouldn't play both! Good luck with your playing!

GerryG · Post by **GerryG** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 1:15 pm

Damjan, Thanks for that reply - point well taken! In my case, I'm
not playing trumpet anymore and want to stick with flute (mostly hobby). Since
Sharon is in high school with a possible career ahead of her, the caution on
playing trumpet is a good one. Thanks, Gerry G

Sharony711 · Post by **Sharony711** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 4:00 pm

Well I've been interested in taking up another instrument, what
would you suggest. I know there are some that are easier for flutes to pick up.

GerryG · Post by **GerryG** » Thu Nov 07, 2002 10:34 am

Sharony, (Sorry for typing your name as Sharon in the earlier
reply). I would get advice from Damjan on what instrument to choose. From things
I've read on-line, it sounds like clarinet and saxophone are good choices but
then again I don't know what effect that might have on your embouchure for
flute. My son played clarinet and switched to saxophone and loved it. Gerry G

damjan · Post by **damjan** » Thu Nov 07, 2002 11:42 am

Sharony, Gerry's recommendation of Saxophone and Clarinet is a
very good choice. Actually, many famous jazz flute players often play both flute
and saxophone in the bands (Hubert Laws, for example, used to play both but
eventually committed himself to flute). Also, the fingerings are more or less
the same so it is fairly easy to adjust. Good luck!

K · Post by K » Fri Nov 08, 2002 9:16 am

My daughter plays clarinet and saxophone (and cello), and has
recently started flute. She's doing very well, despite the different
embouchure. The similar keys helps. I, on the other hand, thought I might try
flute with her as she learns, but being a pianist, this isn't coming quite as
easy! LOL. (She's way ahead of me already!) Good luck, I'm rooting for Gerry
as I'm 42 starting on this endeavor. K

GerryG · Post by **GerryG** » Tue Nov 12, 2002 1:09 pm

Thanks for the encouragement, K. Good luck to you too! Gerry G

jsmart · Post by **jsmart** » Thu Dec 26, 2002 12:03 pm

You're never too old!! It is nice to see someone getting back into
the music after leaving it for a while. I'm 37 and just picked my flute up
again after 15 years and began playing for church two years ago. I never
realized how much I missed it. It's amazing how much you don't forget. Good
luck!!

magicflute · Post by **magicflute** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 8:51 pm

You are never to old to enjoy music. I'm 55, I played the
clairinet from 6 yrs growing up, enjoyed it thoroughly. Now I am taking up the
flute, having fun with it also. Good luck

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Dec 31, 2002 2:06 pm

Damjan, I have to disagree with your post about the flute and
trumpet. As I just posted in another thread, I have been playing both
professionally fro over 25 years with no problem. Dave

damjan · Post by **damjan** » Tue Dec 31, 2002 5:27 pm

Dave, For most people, the trumpet works against your flute playing
(more than the trombone would). The reason is that it hardens the lips, which is
what you do not want as a flute player, since it prevents you from producing and
controlling the sound at its optimal level. I would not recommend it to any of
my students. However, if you manage to play both well, that is great. I
appreciate your feedback on the subject. Regards,