There seems to be a stereotype out there
about flutes and the gender of those who play them. This confuses me and I''d
like your opinions on the issue. Anyway, I quit playing the flute several years
ago for several reasons, this likely being one of them, and now am considering
going back to it. But I''ve played other instruments in the meantime and
I''m not sure that I want to just bail on those either. And I certainly
can''t practice all of them at once while I''m in school. So tell me, flute
players, what drives you to keep doing what you do so well? I sometimes wonder
why I began in the first place, because now I can''t seem to find a very good
reason for returning to the instrument. And, for the male flautists out there,
what keeps you from losing your self esteem? Do you ever get knocked for being a
male flute player? Also, I was in band a few years ago and am not sure whether
or not it would be a good idea to return. Do you think that school ensembles are
worthwhile or that personal flute lessons are solely the way to go? Thanks.
--Still Running
What of the male flautist?
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
What of the male flautist?
I play the flute because I absolutely love
playing it! It feels very natural for me to express myself on that instrument. I
used to play bass before for quite some time, but I find that flute really
speaks for me and I have been focused on it for quite some time now. I believe
it is a personal choice, so you have to decide or feel what is best for you.
Private lessons are priceless, but you also have to play with other people. That
is what the music is about, whether it is a school wind ensemble or a jazz
combo. Regarding being a male flutist, if you really do it for the love of it,
you shouldn't care much about what others say. James Gallway, Jean Pierre
Rampal, Aurelle Nicolet, Emanuel Pahud and Julius Baker are all men and are also
some of the best classical flutists in the world. Not to mention the jazz and
latin-jazz idiom, where flute players are men more often than not (Hubert Laws,
Jusef Lateef, Danilo Lozano, Dave Valentin, Orlando "Maraca" Valle, etc.). In
other words, go after what you feel. Best of luck.
playing it! It feels very natural for me to express myself on that instrument. I
used to play bass before for quite some time, but I find that flute really
speaks for me and I have been focused on it for quite some time now. I believe
it is a personal choice, so you have to decide or feel what is best for you.
Private lessons are priceless, but you also have to play with other people. That
is what the music is about, whether it is a school wind ensemble or a jazz
combo. Regarding being a male flutist, if you really do it for the love of it,
you shouldn't care much about what others say. James Gallway, Jean Pierre
Rampal, Aurelle Nicolet, Emanuel Pahud and Julius Baker are all men and are also
some of the best classical flutists in the world. Not to mention the jazz and
latin-jazz idiom, where flute players are men more often than not (Hubert Laws,
Jusef Lateef, Danilo Lozano, Dave Valentin, Orlando "Maraca" Valle, etc.). In
other words, go after what you feel. Best of luck.
Damjan, --- Fluteland.com Teacher
-
sweetensour
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 1:41 am
What of the male flautist?
there was a guy who graduated from my high
school when i was a freshman, he was AMAZING! nobody judged him for being a
flautist. well anyway, my point wasn't that you have to be the best player out
there... as long as you enjoy what you are doing, then you shouldn't let other
people get in the way of that (just as damjan said). i love playing the flute,
it relaxes me when i'm stressed and it gives me a way to express myself, too.
there's nothing more soothing than the sound of a flute! whatever your decision
may be, i hope it will make you happy. : )
school when i was a freshman, he was AMAZING! nobody judged him for being a
flautist. well anyway, my point wasn't that you have to be the best player out
there... as long as you enjoy what you are doing, then you shouldn't let other
people get in the way of that (just as damjan said). i love playing the flute,
it relaxes me when i'm stressed and it gives me a way to express myself, too.
there's nothing more soothing than the sound of a flute! whatever your decision
may be, i hope it will make you happy. : )
-
still_running
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2003 6:45 pm
What of the male flautist?
Thanks for all of your advice. There is
really know way I can take a school ensemble class because it would take up so
much of my time, but maybe if I get good enough over the summer or something
I'll be able to get into the symphany again. --Still Running
really know way I can take a school ensemble class because it would take up so
much of my time, but maybe if I get good enough over the summer or something
I'll be able to get into the symphany again. --Still Running
What of the male flautist?
Alright, about the guy thing, I'm not one,
but I have a great friend who is a male flutist. He LOVES flute and he likes
having the attention from girls who aren't as good as he is, lol. When people
ask him why he plays a "girlie instrument" he usually makes a point that a flute
is acually quite masculine. A ton of male flutists are famous, like damjan said,
and no instrument should be considered either for males or for females. The
flute is fun, challenging, and just plain wonderful. Another point you can give
is that there is no sexual orientation for any instrument, a flute can't be
"homosexual" nor can it be "heterosexual." I hate it when people say things
like, "dude...the flute's gay, man..." not only do they sound like they're on
drugs, but there is no way an inanimate object can have a sexual orientation.
Why do I stick with the flute? I love it. It's not only a way for me to make
music, but I can <i>be</i> part of the music. Flute is one of the instruments
that usually has the melody, but can also have a great harmony part. The range
is wonderful, not too low, nor too high. The fingerings are natural once you
learn them and your embachure is easy once you get the hang of it. Getting a
good tone is challenging, as are the runs and vibratto. It's a great escape
from all the things going on around you and it transports you to another
reality. I love it and I hope you stick with it! Good luck!!! -Abby
but I have a great friend who is a male flutist. He LOVES flute and he likes
having the attention from girls who aren't as good as he is, lol. When people
ask him why he plays a "girlie instrument" he usually makes a point that a flute
is acually quite masculine. A ton of male flutists are famous, like damjan said,
and no instrument should be considered either for males or for females. The
flute is fun, challenging, and just plain wonderful. Another point you can give
is that there is no sexual orientation for any instrument, a flute can't be
"homosexual" nor can it be "heterosexual." I hate it when people say things
like, "dude...the flute's gay, man..." not only do they sound like they're on
drugs, but there is no way an inanimate object can have a sexual orientation.
Why do I stick with the flute? I love it. It's not only a way for me to make
music, but I can <i>be</i> part of the music. Flute is one of the instruments
that usually has the melody, but can also have a great harmony part. The range
is wonderful, not too low, nor too high. The fingerings are natural once you
learn them and your embachure is easy once you get the hang of it. Getting a
good tone is challenging, as are the runs and vibratto. It's a great escape
from all the things going on around you and it transports you to another
reality. I love it and I hope you stick with it! Good luck!!! -Abby
Rock
on!
on!