Hi people, my first post on Fluteland!
I've been 'playing' flute 8 weeks now and thought I was making good progress (without lessons) until yesterday. I made a recording of myself practicing the Cm scale and some Xmas carols (by ear). Played it back and was horrified to hear the results and suddenly realised how irksome it must be to my family to have been subjected to the awful sound I was proudley passing off as music! Playing back a recording of myself has been a real education and I would recommend it to any new starts, the pain endured from this revelation has brought my ego down several pegs and I shall return to my flute chastised and humbled prepared to work harder than ever to improve my technique & tone. And before anyone advises me...yes I know I should have lesson and someday I will...I promise!
reactolite wrote:Hi people, my first post on Fluteland!
I've been 'playing' flute 8 weeks now and thought I was making good progress (without lessons) until yesterday. I made a recording of myself practicing the Cm scale and some Xmas carols (by ear). Played it back and was horrified to hear the results and suddenly realised how irksome it must be to my family to have been subjected to the awful sound I was proudley passing off as music! Playing back a recording of myself has been a real education and I would recommend it to any new starts, the pain endured from this revelation has brought my ego down several pegs and I shall return to my flute chastised and humbled prepared to work harder than ever to improve my technique & tone. And before anyone advises me...yes I know I should have lesson and someday I will...I promise!
Recording yourself is a part of of practice. It will give you ideas of how to improve your playing. I have been playing over 20 years, and I still have issues when listening to recordings of myself. This is something you may as well get use to.
As far as lessons, it would not hurt. At least a few. It will help you over come a few pitfalls.
dogster wrote:oh please 8 weeks is not enough you will be fine just practice breathing and long tones
Thanks dogster, I grasped the meaning of your reply the instant I read it! And it was quite appropriate as I agree I am expecting too much too soon. I was beginning to delude myself that I was making above average progress and my recording gave me a rude wake up call. A bit like unexpectedly catching sight of yourself in a reflection and suddenly realising, contrary to secret inner fantasies, you do not look anything like George Clooney!
8 weeks is a very short time... So don't be discouraged!
Recording yourself is good though, just don't think of recordings as performances, but as an opportunity to improve. Also - makes sure you place the microphone in the right place. Flute recordings can sound distorted if the microphone is not in the right place (for example too close).
