should I start flute lessons yet?

[heather_23]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and this is my first post!

I started playing the flute in primary school, we had short 10 minute lessons each week in a group of three and I loved it! The same teacher also taught me in high school and I completed grades 1 to 5. My flute lesssons in school were very short and we covered very little theory and I only scraped the pass mark on each exam. The teacher's main instrument was basson, and although he was very talented on many instruments, the flute was well down his list.

A few years on and I'm about to graduate from uni and as I did my degree part time along with full time job I am only now going to have time to dedicate to learning flute again.

I'd like to start one to one lessons with a professional flute teacher. But here's my worry - I feel that I've so much theory to catch up that I should be catching up on my own first before I approach a teacher.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks,

heather_23

[pied_piper]

Definitely go ahead and start your flute lessons. A good flute teacher can help you identify and correct any weaknesses that you might have regardless of whether it's embouchure, breathing, technique, theory, or whatever. You can still continue to catch up on theory on your own while you pursue the lessons. Ask around your area to find a few good teachers and then ask for a trial lesson or two (paid of course) with each teacher. You'll probably find that you may be better matched with one of them in terms of personality and your goals.

[heather_23]

Thanks for your advice pied_piper. I'm looking forward to starting lessons, so I'm glad you think I should still go ahead and start and just work through whatever weaknesses with the teacher. Having a trained ear listen and watch me play will also, as you say, identify other weaknesses (and any bad habits I've picked up over the years.) I think it'll be encouraging to hear myself improve under a teacher’s guidance.

I know of one highly regarded local flute teacher, so I will ask around for others too and try and organise a couple of trial lessons in May, once my finals are over and I have my life back!!

[Bo]

Welcome, Heather (I love your avatar!)

It is great that you can now dedicate more time to the flute. And of course that you can have a teacher. Concerning pure music theory, I think you could also refresh it by yourself, if you want to save money.

Good luck!

[heather_23]

Thanks Bo. Believe it or not it was your avatar on one of the posts I was reading yesterday which inspired me to find a wee cartoon type pic!

Yes id like to buy a good music theory book to help me. Do you have a theory book you would suggest?

I came across a music theory website which I'm enjoying called http://www.musictheory.net/ Really like the interactive learning exercises but I can only do a few of them so far. I'm think I'm going to go ahead with lessons aswell, really excited about starting again! I'm going to treat myself to lessons..Im not sure what price they usually range from..don't really know what to expect pricewise??

Really glad I found this site! Everyone is so helpful and encouraging. Can't believe I've been missing out all this time!!

[Bo]

Thank you!
That's a nice site for music theory. I used this site: http://www.dolmetsch.com/index.htm It has a very nice music dictionary and also music theory lessons.
From a practical point of view, when I first learned theory I used Finale Notepad, which was free until a couple of years ago. I think it can be very helpful to put theory into practice by trying out things.
Now I mostly use Sibelius though.

I think the price of lessons depends on the teacher, and which teacher you need depends on your level. Very advanced students for example will need a very good teacher who will probably also be more expensive.
I think someone had once told me there were also free online lessons, but I didn't bookmark the link (I think they were only for beginners though). Of course you can always watch the videos on YouTube, like those by Nina Perlove. They are not really "graded" lessons, but they are excellent!