Getting Lessons from a Teacher

Steve_C · Post by **Steve_C** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:27 am

For a few weeks, I tried learning the flute, on my own, and using the internet - and I made good progress! But I have become much better since I began taking lessons from a flute teacher.

My progress has increased so much since I started the weekly lessons with my tutor. If you are having trouble learning the flute, like I was, then I think the best thing you can do is to get flute lessons from a real live teacher, one who can watch your fingers and help you make them right, one who can listen to you and look at you and see where you need help, etc.

When I bought my flute and started playing, I was terrible at it! Later, I learned how to just be awful. Next, it was merely anoying to hear me play.

Thanks to my Flute Teacher, I can play some songs and it is almost pleasant to hear me play! One day, I think people will ask me to play because they enjoy my music (I hope!).

It it still hard for me to read music - this is a struggle for me, and I need a few more months on this. For me, reading music is like reading a foriegn language. I have been studying a foreign language, and I have to look at each letter, sound it in my mind, and then I can figure out the word. To me, reading music is the same. I still have to look at each note, figure out which one it is, and then think about the fingering, and then finally I can do it. It't not natural for me yet, but with time I know this will come

Anywho, if you are learning the flute from Internet lessons like I was, I thing you should get flute lessons from a real live person, like I did.

My flute teacher is Melissa, in Knoxville TN - she is Excellent! Contact me at steve@stevecapps.com if you want her info.

With more practice, I know that one day it will be pleasant to hear me play.

If you are like me, and you tried learning to play the flute with Internet lessons, then one day you will decide that perhaps you could do much better with a live teacher, one who can watch and listen to you, and correct your mistakes. My progress improved so much with real lessons.

Even if you can take lessons just once a month, I am sure this will help you improve so much.

brina · Post by **brina** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:30 am

i absolutely agree. i can't believe someone even starts learning flute over the internet. I can assure you, you will never become big. You need a real teacher.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:52 pm

Good points Steve. This is something we try to tell anyone who comes here looking to start playing. I don't know how many of them listen to us, but hopefully being able to read about your experiences will encourage them to get a teacher right off the bat. There's simply no substitute.

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:09 am

when i first started playing flute - i was probably 10 - i had lessons from a friend of the family - she played flute professionally and she offered me lessons, which was fantastic.

then i moved house, but not just house, i moved states, so i knew no-one, i was only learning flute....i got the basic lesson from my school, but nothing that would help me too much. (the lessons were only once a week for half an hour with four other girls, so not a lot of one on one teaching).

therefore, i pretty much taught myself everything i knew (because i haven't played in years, i've forgotton some stuff).

Then i started playing at church in the church band and the director of music at the church also played flute - she commented on how well the sound and my techniques were....keep in mind i probably only had about 6 months worth of lessons.

so i don't think you HAVE to have teacher, it's great to have one, but you don't have to have one if you can't find one you like and if you can't afford to have lessons, get a book - a CD because books normally come with them, and just try. then when you find a teacher you like or when you can afford for lessons, go for them!

You'd be surprised when you can learn by yourself!! This is just my opinion.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:53 am

I have delt with students at all levels of playing, including those who were self taught in the beginning. The biggest issue I see with self taught players is embouchure & using it to control the air stream. The basics of playing are actully pretty simple, but because the flute has no resistance like other wind instruments, it is hard to figure out other than "this is how I make a sound". I am not saying it cannot be done, but when we are talking about beginners with no help whatsoever, it is definately beneficial to have someone there to help you get started.

The other benefits include quicker progress, correcting bad habits before they start or are a problem, and the list goes on.

With that said, I do know a few professionals who started on their own and never had a lesson or band before college or conservatory. it is rare, but it is not impossible. Some people have a natural knack for playing and simply listening to other players and immitating what they hear is one way some people learn.

piccolo1991 · Post by **piccolo1991** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:55 am

I did the same thing. My mom got me a flute in 5th grade and I had no lessons. I tried really hard, but the books were not telling me much. In 6th grade i started band and asked a TON of questions. I progressed rapidly. Then by 7th grade we realized we needed a more specialized teacher (other then a jack-of-all-traits band director).

It was scarey how many things i was doing WRONG! I held my arm too high, I pulled back my embouchure too much, wasn't sitting properly, pulled my fingers up to high...etc. I have also now gone thru about 3 different embouchure changes and many different tonguing styles. I use all that knowledge to figure out what works best for me!

So, now I am a flute teacher. And I get students all the time who started on their own and think they can master the flute in 1-2 years. I laugh lots (on the inside). So, my whole point....I learned the wrong way and have had a lot of trouble fixing it. If you can afford lessons, get them. If you cannot, go to a church or high school...some places can work something out for you. But there is something so different about one on one attention...even group lessons...then learning from a book that cannot interact with you.

I just wanted to state this for anyone who reads this. People need help learning such a great art form as music...there is rhythm, notes, tone quality, articulation, dynamics...etc...etc...etc. Find help

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:07 am

I spend a lot of time correcting what the local band directors are teaching students

I know they are not all lik ethis, but it gets REALLY frustrating. Now, it is too the point to where I can basically map out what will need to be covered before the first lesson as soon as the student tells me which program he/she is in.

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:48 pm

As I said, having lessons is great, but as some of you have mentioned, it can be done without teaching. I've had minimal teaching, I probably have bad habits, but it's the way i find easiest to play. I enjoy the sound I create and others enjoy it.

However, I'm assuming a lot of you guys on here, play professionally or teach or are aiming to play professionally, I just play for a hobby and relaxation...So I guess I'm in a different boat, so in my opinion, I can go with or without lessons.