Hi everyone . . . I''m a
middle-aged person who started playing the flute in elementary school and then
gave it up. It''s something I''ve always wanted to go back to and I''ve
learned that it''s never too late to learn something new and no time like the
present. So, I''m going to try again, strictly for pleasure. I''d love to
hear from some other wannabees out there who started playing late in life and
hear about your trials and errors, how long you''ve been playing, how far
you''ve gone with it, etc., etc., etc. I look forward to chatting. [8)]
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
Hi tootaflute - I re-commenced my
flute playing recently after an absence of 25 years. Passing a music shop, I
went in and tried a flute and then bought one there and then. I haven't looked
back. Previously, I had played at high school but gave it up. But for the last
few years I had a growing notion to take it up again, so thats what I did. After
all those years, I am surprised at how much I remember - I could still finger
all the notes (well, most of them, anyway) and do my scales. Now I am trying the
notes in the second register and its just like the first time - then, I
practiced and practiced and then one day, the ability to hit those notes just
materialised. Thats what its like at the moment, too. I still love the sound of
the flute but I find that I have forgotten a lot of the music reading - which
notes are which, where they are on the stave and so on. I bought a pile of scale
and text books so I am busy working my way through them, and loving every minute
of it. Also, these days, now that I am older - and perhaps a little wiser - I
find my flute playing is very relaxing. Its time out of a busy schedule, time
for me, something solely for my pleasure. And that is exactly what it gives me.
I hope that will be your experience also. Will
flute playing recently after an absence of 25 years. Passing a music shop, I
went in and tried a flute and then bought one there and then. I haven't looked
back. Previously, I had played at high school but gave it up. But for the last
few years I had a growing notion to take it up again, so thats what I did. After
all those years, I am surprised at how much I remember - I could still finger
all the notes (well, most of them, anyway) and do my scales. Now I am trying the
notes in the second register and its just like the first time - then, I
practiced and practiced and then one day, the ability to hit those notes just
materialised. Thats what its like at the moment, too. I still love the sound of
the flute but I find that I have forgotten a lot of the music reading - which
notes are which, where they are on the stave and so on. I bought a pile of scale
and text books so I am busy working my way through them, and loving every minute
of it. Also, these days, now that I am older - and perhaps a little wiser - I
find my flute playing is very relaxing. Its time out of a busy schedule, time
for me, something solely for my pleasure. And that is exactly what it gives me.
I hope that will be your experience also. Will
:: WOM
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fluteluversmom
- Posts: 295
- Joined: Sun May 11, 2003 10:22 pm
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
Hi~ I am a mom who recently picked
up the flute after not playing since High School. I had played for 9 years but
the last time I picked one up to play for pleasure was over 20 years ago. I have
been pleasantly suprised as to how much I remember also but I still have a long
way to go. The fingerings have come back to me but I still struggle with some of
the note/music reading. I don't practice as much as I would like to because I
am a single mom, and work and running a household limits my time. Right now I
have a goal to make more time on the weekends to do some practicing. I do get a
chance from time to time to play some duets with my daughter who also plays the
flute. Kim
up the flute after not playing since High School. I had played for 9 years but
the last time I picked one up to play for pleasure was over 20 years ago. I have
been pleasantly suprised as to how much I remember also but I still have a long
way to go. The fingerings have come back to me but I still struggle with some of
the note/music reading. I don't practice as much as I would like to because I
am a single mom, and work and running a household limits my time. Right now I
have a goal to make more time on the weekends to do some practicing. I do get a
chance from time to time to play some duets with my daughter who also plays the
flute. Kim
Some
days you catch the bus and other days it runs over you.
days you catch the bus and other days it runs over you.
-
julius@serverstreet.com
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2003 1:51 pm
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
Hi... Like you... I'm also a
middle-aged guy wannabee. [:)] In my case however, I've played the Fife but not
the real flute yet.. I'm still going to buy one. But, it has really fascinated
me since when I got my first Fife, nobody taught me how to play.. and worse,
there was no "manual" that came with my it... imagine that! BUT, I was able to
play a song with it in less than an hour... not just the "mary-had-a-little.."
type of song but a nice "In his time" gospel song... which I later learned that
I was playing using the chord D... I'm really excited on getting my "lips" on
my first flute... I'm ordering it and It's arriving by the end of next week...
my regards...
middle-aged guy wannabee. [:)] In my case however, I've played the Fife but not
the real flute yet.. I'm still going to buy one. But, it has really fascinated
me since when I got my first Fife, nobody taught me how to play.. and worse,
there was no "manual" that came with my it... imagine that! BUT, I was able to
play a song with it in less than an hour... not just the "mary-had-a-little.."
type of song but a nice "In his time" gospel song... which I later learned that
I was playing using the chord D... I'm really excited on getting my "lips" on
my first flute... I'm ordering it and It's arriving by the end of next week...
my regards...
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
Hi Julius - Hope you evjoy your new
flute. Write again and let us know how you are getting on. Will
flute. Write again and let us know how you are getting on. Will
:: WOM
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lassiedell
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2003 10:55 pm
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
Love the thread - I fit right in!!!
After 30 years of not playing, I finally decided to start playing again. Each
year it was a New Year's resolution to start playing again, and I finally did
it this year in August. I've been taking lessons, and have been fortunate
enough to join a civic orchestra, playing 3rd flute and piccolo. I'm having a
wonderful time, but not progressing as fast as I'd like. I practice each day,
and can hear I'm getting better, but have a way to go. I can't believe I ever
quit playing music, because it brings me such pleasure. Good luck! [;)]
After 30 years of not playing, I finally decided to start playing again. Each
year it was a New Year's resolution to start playing again, and I finally did
it this year in August. I've been taking lessons, and have been fortunate
enough to join a civic orchestra, playing 3rd flute and piccolo. I'm having a
wonderful time, but not progressing as fast as I'd like. I practice each day,
and can hear I'm getting better, but have a way to go. I can't believe I ever
quit playing music, because it brings me such pleasure. Good luck! [;)]
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
>>I'm having a wonderful time ..
and can hear I'm getting better .. I can't believe I ever quit playing music,
because it brings me such pleasure.<< That sums up my own feelings. Every day I
hear little changes and improvements in my playing - although I am not fortunate
enough to have a teacher yet. I get a great deal of pleasure from the flute and
I find it so relaxing after a hard day at work. I think, however, of all those
years when I was not playing and I wonder whatever convinced me to stop - so
much wasted time! Good luck with your playing - and it sounds like you are doing
pretty well. Will
and can hear I'm getting better .. I can't believe I ever quit playing music,
because it brings me such pleasure.<< That sums up my own feelings. Every day I
hear little changes and improvements in my playing - although I am not fortunate
enough to have a teacher yet. I get a great deal of pleasure from the flute and
I find it so relaxing after a hard day at work. I think, however, of all those
years when I was not playing and I wonder whatever convinced me to stop - so
much wasted time! Good luck with your playing - and it sounds like you are doing
pretty well. Will
:: WOM
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::
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
Wow! I can't believe there are so
many of us out there. I started playing flute in 5th grade, played all through
high school, and then layed off for about 20 years. I started playing again a
few years ago in my church. The director kept handing me more challenging
pieces, so now I'm probably a better player than I was when I was younger.
I've recently gotten a Hall Crystal flute, and boy is THAT challenging! The
part that is the most fun is playing with my daughters - one's a celtic
harpist, and the other plays violin. You never realize how much you missed
something until you go back to it!
many of us out there. I started playing flute in 5th grade, played all through
high school, and then layed off for about 20 years. I started playing again a
few years ago in my church. The director kept handing me more challenging
pieces, so now I'm probably a better player than I was when I was younger.
I've recently gotten a Hall Crystal flute, and boy is THAT challenging! The
part that is the most fun is playing with my daughters - one's a celtic
harpist, and the other plays violin. You never realize how much you missed
something until you go back to it!
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
Hi there, I just found this site and
it's terrific! I too picked up the flute again after a 15 year or so "hiatus".
I had played for about 7 years prior to that, but then with university and later
starting to work for a living and getting married, there never seemed to be
enough time left over. My husband had been urging me for years to pick it up
again but I never got around to it. Then one Christmas, my friends at work
decided that I should play at an impromptu concert in our office. I told them
that my flute was so old and decrepit that I could barely get a note out of it
anymore (I would never admit I might be a bit rusty too!!). So, they rented a
flute for me. No excuses they said. Fortunately, they gave me one evening to
practice. I must have stayed up all night. It was amazing how quickly the
fingers came back...the embouchure took a little bit longer however. My husband
bought me a beautiful new flute shortly thereafter and I have been back at it
for almost three years now. I find that playing as a "mature" flutist is
different than it was before. I still enjoy challenging myself technically, but
it has a whole new expressive element that didn't seem to exist for me before.
I find it a great source of relaxation too. Now, I can't seem to get enough of
it! I think there are more of us closet flutist out there than even we realize!
[:bigsmile:]
it's terrific! I too picked up the flute again after a 15 year or so "hiatus".
I had played for about 7 years prior to that, but then with university and later
starting to work for a living and getting married, there never seemed to be
enough time left over. My husband had been urging me for years to pick it up
again but I never got around to it. Then one Christmas, my friends at work
decided that I should play at an impromptu concert in our office. I told them
that my flute was so old and decrepit that I could barely get a note out of it
anymore (I would never admit I might be a bit rusty too!!). So, they rented a
flute for me. No excuses they said. Fortunately, they gave me one evening to
practice. I must have stayed up all night. It was amazing how quickly the
fingers came back...the embouchure took a little bit longer however. My husband
bought me a beautiful new flute shortly thereafter and I have been back at it
for almost three years now. I find that playing as a "mature" flutist is
different than it was before. I still enjoy challenging myself technically, but
it has a whole new expressive element that didn't seem to exist for me before.
I find it a great source of relaxation too. Now, I can't seem to get enough of
it! I think there are more of us closet flutist out there than even we realize!
[:bigsmile:]
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
In reading your stories about
quiting the flute, I wonder about when that day will come for my daughter and
just what will trigger it. Those of you that have come back to playing must have
been fairly good players to want to play again. Yet at some point you decided
flute was not worth your time. Since few people make a living playing the flute
compared to how many play it in school that is an understandable result. Did any
of you really consider majoring in music or teaching music? Did you participate
in recitals and solo work and just not like it? Were any of you the top player
in your state? Region and still decide pursuing flute was not going to make you
a living? I guess that reality check of not being the next Galway hits everyone
and paying the bills is on the horizon. Just curious.
quiting the flute, I wonder about when that day will come for my daughter and
just what will trigger it. Those of you that have come back to playing must have
been fairly good players to want to play again. Yet at some point you decided
flute was not worth your time. Since few people make a living playing the flute
compared to how many play it in school that is an understandable result. Did any
of you really consider majoring in music or teaching music? Did you participate
in recitals and solo work and just not like it? Were any of you the top player
in your state? Region and still decide pursuing flute was not going to make you
a living? I guess that reality check of not being the next Galway hits everyone
and paying the bills is on the horizon. Just curious.
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
Penny, you pose a really interesting
question. As a mother of a string player with serious potential, I can
understand your desire for your child to go as far as she can. And thinking
back, little things made me stop playing. My private teacher moved away for grad
school, my HS band director (who I loved!) was fired and replaced with an idiot,
while the choral instructor was outstanding. Oh, and since it was the 70's,
playing my guitar was WAY cooler than playing my flute. Then, once I left High
School, there was no longer a venue for me to play. This broke my mother's
heart. She even had my flute repadded and tuned for my for one Christmas, just
to see if I would play again. I would practice a bit, but without a place to
perform, it seemed pointless - at the time. Then work and children filled in any
time gaps. But about 7 years ago, I started going to a church that has some
really talented and loving people. I started singing again, and later started
playing flute again. As someone said in an earlier post, the joy I get from it
is completely different. I didn't realize how much I missed music (the working
at it kind, not just the listening kind) in my life. Which then makes you wonder
- If any of us pursued it and made it a career, would it give the same joy, or
would it be a job??????
question. As a mother of a string player with serious potential, I can
understand your desire for your child to go as far as she can. And thinking
back, little things made me stop playing. My private teacher moved away for grad
school, my HS band director (who I loved!) was fired and replaced with an idiot,
while the choral instructor was outstanding. Oh, and since it was the 70's,
playing my guitar was WAY cooler than playing my flute. Then, once I left High
School, there was no longer a venue for me to play. This broke my mother's
heart. She even had my flute repadded and tuned for my for one Christmas, just
to see if I would play again. I would practice a bit, but without a place to
perform, it seemed pointless - at the time. Then work and children filled in any
time gaps. But about 7 years ago, I started going to a church that has some
really talented and loving people. I started singing again, and later started
playing flute again. As someone said in an earlier post, the joy I get from it
is completely different. I didn't realize how much I missed music (the working
at it kind, not just the listening kind) in my life. Which then makes you wonder
- If any of us pursued it and made it a career, would it give the same joy, or
would it be a job??????
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
As I approached the end of high
school, I did give some thought to studying music at University and making a
career of it. However, the practical side of me took over and I realized that I
could probably make a better living doing something else. During high school, I
played in the band and took private lessons/exams at the conservatory as well.
The private lessons kept me challenged and I continued with them for a year or
so after high school. But what I really missed then was playing in a group. Part
of it was a social thing, but I also missed not being able to be part of
creating a bigger, more interesting sound. I took a pretty heavy program at
university and worked part-time to pay my way through. I didn't ever really
make a conscious decision to quit. It just slowly faded away. Now, I'm looking
for some sort of group to play in. I don't have the time to devote to a
community band/orchestra nor do there appear to be many around in my area. I've
recently joined a flute choir but it is made up of people of varying levels and
I'm finding it a bit tedious. My challenge now is to find a group of people who
are at a similar level to me, be it a band, a choir, a woodwind ensemble. Any
suggestions on how to find one? I agree with MattMom though. If I had made it a
career, would I enjoy it as much as I do now, or would it just be a job? I think
the latter. And who knows, as a professional flutest, I might have developed an
unquenchable desire to become an accountant!!! [:bigsmile:]
school, I did give some thought to studying music at University and making a
career of it. However, the practical side of me took over and I realized that I
could probably make a better living doing something else. During high school, I
played in the band and took private lessons/exams at the conservatory as well.
The private lessons kept me challenged and I continued with them for a year or
so after high school. But what I really missed then was playing in a group. Part
of it was a social thing, but I also missed not being able to be part of
creating a bigger, more interesting sound. I took a pretty heavy program at
university and worked part-time to pay my way through. I didn't ever really
make a conscious decision to quit. It just slowly faded away. Now, I'm looking
for some sort of group to play in. I don't have the time to devote to a
community band/orchestra nor do there appear to be many around in my area. I've
recently joined a flute choir but it is made up of people of varying levels and
I'm finding it a bit tedious. My challenge now is to find a group of people who
are at a similar level to me, be it a band, a choir, a woodwind ensemble. Any
suggestions on how to find one? I agree with MattMom though. If I had made it a
career, would I enjoy it as much as I do now, or would it just be a job? I think
the latter. And who knows, as a professional flutest, I might have developed an
unquenchable desire to become an accountant!!! [:bigsmile:]
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
[quote] ---------------- On
10/22/2003 9:18:20 PM Hi everyone . . . I'm a middle-aged person who started
playing the flute in elementary school and then gave it up. It's something
I've always wanted to go back to and I've learned that it's never too late to
learn something new and no time like the present. So, I'm going to try again,
strictly for pleasure. I'd love to hear from some other wannabees out there who
started playing late in life and hear about your trials and errors, how long
you've been playing, how far you've gone with it, etc., etc., etc. I look
forward to chatting. [8)] ---------------- [/quote] Hi, I'm one who never
really quit playing the flute for any length of time. I started playing in
highschool and later played in college , but I was not a music major and have
played 2nd flute with the band. I taught elementary school and sometimes played
my flute while the kids sang. Later I played my flute in our small town
community band. I also played for some community musicals in the pit orchestra.
Since I've retired I sometimes play my flute with the chancel choir at church,
sometimes I play with a guitarist for specials for the early service. I'm also
playing my flute at the Christmas Eve Service. On the 3rd Sunday in December
I'm playing my flute with the harpist at my church. I also belong to a group
composed of women that are musical. We take turns performing for each other once
a month and we also sometimes put on performances for the community. I also play
my flute with a group of four. One is a violinist, one hammered dulcimer and
guitarist, and one lap dulcimer and harmonica player and he also plays rhythm
instruments. It is amazing how many opportunities there are for a person of 65
to play the flute in public. Some of the younger ones are still involved in
working and taking care of their family and don't have the time that I do to
spend on my music. I've been told that I have a nice sound, but I am not a
really accomplished musician.
10/22/2003 9:18:20 PM Hi everyone . . . I'm a middle-aged person who started
playing the flute in elementary school and then gave it up. It's something
I've always wanted to go back to and I've learned that it's never too late to
learn something new and no time like the present. So, I'm going to try again,
strictly for pleasure. I'd love to hear from some other wannabees out there who
started playing late in life and hear about your trials and errors, how long
you've been playing, how far you've gone with it, etc., etc., etc. I look
forward to chatting. [8)] ---------------- [/quote] Hi, I'm one who never
really quit playing the flute for any length of time. I started playing in
highschool and later played in college , but I was not a music major and have
played 2nd flute with the band. I taught elementary school and sometimes played
my flute while the kids sang. Later I played my flute in our small town
community band. I also played for some community musicals in the pit orchestra.
Since I've retired I sometimes play my flute with the chancel choir at church,
sometimes I play with a guitarist for specials for the early service. I'm also
playing my flute at the Christmas Eve Service. On the 3rd Sunday in December
I'm playing my flute with the harpist at my church. I also belong to a group
composed of women that are musical. We take turns performing for each other once
a month and we also sometimes put on performances for the community. I also play
my flute with a group of four. One is a violinist, one hammered dulcimer and
guitarist, and one lap dulcimer and harmonica player and he also plays rhythm
instruments. It is amazing how many opportunities there are for a person of 65
to play the flute in public. Some of the younger ones are still involved in
working and taking care of their family and don't have the time that I do to
spend on my music. I've been told that I have a nice sound, but I am not a
really accomplished musician.
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
And her I am . . . an accountant who
picked up the flute!!!!! Actually I am an accounting professor at our state
university! I played in Junior High for a while but was frustrated bu the band
experience. I stayed with piano and now at 37 have started taking flute lessons
again - purely for fun, pleasure and relaxation. It works ! [quote] And who
knows, as a professional flutest, I might have developed an unquenchable desire
to become an accountant!!! [:bigsmile:] ---------------- [/quote]
picked up the flute!!!!! Actually I am an accounting professor at our state
university! I played in Junior High for a while but was frustrated bu the band
experience. I stayed with piano and now at 37 have started taking flute lessons
again - purely for fun, pleasure and relaxation. It works ! [quote] And who
knows, as a professional flutest, I might have developed an unquenchable desire
to become an accountant!!! [:bigsmile:] ---------------- [/quote]
Middle-aged flute player wannabees
[quote] ---------------- On
12/4/2003 11:31:04 AM And her I am . . . an accountant who picked up the
flute!!!!! Ha! I figure that the best defense for jokes about accountants is a
good offense. There was a reason I poked fun at accountants...I am one too! I'm
a CA (chartered accountant - that's what we call them here in Canada). If you
can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?
12/4/2003 11:31:04 AM And her I am . . . an accountant who picked up the
flute!!!!! Ha! I figure that the best defense for jokes about accountants is a
good offense. There was a reason I poked fun at accountants...I am one too! I'm
a CA (chartered accountant - that's what we call them here in Canada). If you
can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?