why did u start playing the flute......

Basics of Flute Playing, Tone Production and Fingerings

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flutendrum57
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Post by flutendrum57 »

I started in 5th grade and I wanted to play Clarinet, but my band director needed flutes . I HATED flute for the longest time; it wasn't until my 8th grade year that I really buckled down and really practiced because I realized I really enjoyed it. Ever since, I've auditioned and made all-state bands, honors bands, and other fun stuff. Now I'm auditioning for college as a music major! Total 360, eh? lol. :)

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Phineas
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Post by Phineas »

I have always wanted to play the flute. However, going to a public school in South Central Los Angeles and being a boy, there were just some instruments that a boy does not play.

Piano
Flute/pic
Violin/Viola

When you are a horny straight teanager, in a coed public school, you never want to be labled as a homo.

Funny thing is, after I did my time in the USMC, I really did not care what people thought, then I started playing the flute. Funny thing is, if I knew back then what I know now, I would have been around more girls if I plated the flute in school.

Goes to show you how backwards things are...lol

Phineas

Meredith
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Post by Meredith »

My mom didn't want to pay the $25 fee to rent me a trumpet for the year, when she knew someone who'd give me their kid's old flute for free.

Such is life. :)

Fluteguy18: Were you in the JPS honors band? Not only did that thing rock, but, it got me an extra week to study for an AP exam!
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fluteguy18
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Post by fluteguy18 »

What does JPS stand for in the JPS Honors band? Chances are, are that I didnt get to go. Because, if you read my story, I wasnt really that involved for QUITE a long time.

Meredith
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Post by Meredith »

I read the story -- JPS Honors Band is the "John Phillips Sousa Honors Band," it's something run by the US Marine Corps. You mentioned winning their prize in HS, so, I thought that you may have heard of their Honors Band.

I don't remember what the age break-down is for participation. I know that I did it in the 11th grade. I imagine that it is held once every two years (at the most), as I can't recall anyone from my high school applying when I was a senior.
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fluteguy18
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Post by fluteguy18 »

No, I didnt participate in that group. I dont even know how I was nominated for the award, much less win it. I just know that in the middle of the senior awards ceremony, one of the people presenting the awards was in uniform. He explained the award, then called my name along with two other names [but they were sports/ athletically related awards, and my award was the only musical one].

It sounds like that would have been a fun group though! Too bad I wasnt involved more in high school.... Oh well. What is done, is done.

Meredith
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Post by Meredith »

It was a three or four day conference in D.C. It was a good experience to play with other people, and learn a little bit how the state-wide competitions are run in different areas. I'm from NY, so all I really know is NYSSMA. Plus we got to spend a day touring, and got to hear the Marine Corps. band perform.

I don't think I gained much musically from the experience--that is, I don't think I came home any better a flutist than I was when I left--but it was a nice time, and I'm glad to have had the experience. And, I probably scored an entire level higher on my American History AP from having had the extra time to study! (The regularly scheduled exam was during the band conference, and I was able to get special permission to take the "make up" exam a few weeks later. There's a lot of administrative paperwork involved in taking a late AP exam, and I'm very grateful to my teachers/vice principal for putting up with the hassle.)
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drumajorchick
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Post by drumajorchick »

I acutally wanted to play saxaphone in fifth grade. Since I was a new student the positions were already filled so I got stuck on playing flute. For a while there I hated it, but now I believe that is was the best mistake that ever happened to me!!!!!!!!!!
Music is the Fundamental Skill of Life!!!

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Zevang
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Post by Zevang »

Mine is a similar story...

I liked the clarinet, at the age of 12, after 5 years studying the piano, but when I first saw and put my hands on a flute... it was just love at the first sight... since then the piano played a secondary role in my life, and the flute fulfilled my music life.

Zevang

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nii_neko
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Post by nii_neko »

My reasons kinda stupid...but whatever. As a child, i wasnt to bright, but i loved the game Zelda. And i loved the sound of the ocarina (spelling?) and i always thought it was the same thing as a flute...he... another reason is nowone else in my family played flute...

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Band_twink_14
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Post by Band_twink_14 »

I've always wanted to play the flute. I can remember the first time I saw one. It was in 1st grade music class. Ever since then I knew I wanted to play it. :D
"Imagine, if you will, a world without hypothetical situations........"

rthompson_london
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Re: why did u start playing the flute......

Post by rthompson_london »

datguy594 wrote:um...... im bored so i am asking why did u start playing the flute...... i started playing the flute because i could try make music for like a christmas carol...... and try to do that hobbits song from lord of the rings the fellowship of the ring..... ^_*

I bet you never expected to get such a reaction!

I started playing because I thought it looked pretty. It's graceful looking, and played well sounds lovely.

Natalie
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Post by Natalie »

A while ago, my brother and I went to our grandmother's house for an hour or two. In her closet, she had two flutes. I took up my aunt's old flute and experimented, because I had seen people playing it in my school's band and I had always wondered what it was like. I couldn't get a sound at first, but I kept working at it for a few days till I got a strong sound. I've been playing ever since.

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finallyflute-ing
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Post by finallyflute-ing »

Well, I wanted to play flute waaaay back in fifth grade when our county school's band program began for us, but my mother told me that she wasn't going to pay an obscene amount of money for an instrument I'd get bored with in three months and put down when I already had one built into me.
So, I joined the choir instead, and got really, really involved in it... made All-State, sang with semi-professional groups in my area, and participated in competitions like NATS with a local college... and now I'm a Vocal Music Major in college.
Finally, this semester, I got the excuse I needed to finally start flute - I borrowed one of my friend's (a flute major) old student model Yamaha flutes, and told my mom it was 'required for my major'. I officially love that excuse! Anyway, I'm so glad I started - playing is so much fun, even if it is kind of difficult and repetitive sometimes. :P

fluteguy18
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Post by fluteguy18 »

finallyflute-ing:

AND it is true. The fact that we are both performance majors, means that we have to take additional credit hours of lessons outside of our major "emphasis" [vocal/instrumental].


:D

I think I might give cello a try..... or maybe clarinet..... or maybe CONTRA BASSOON..... :shock: ....hmm.... I'm glad I dont have to decide yet.

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