Getting back to playing flute?

[ChordMelody]

I never went to an advanced level with my flute playing, and when I went to high school I switched over to playing bass in the school band. I still have a flute sitting in my house, all the flute players are really good, and if I switch back now I won't be as good as them.

Do you guys think it's possible to get to that level in half a semester?

I've been busy with guitar, bass, and piano but I'd really like an instrument where you blow into it.

Is there any recommended method books that I can purchase to practice/learn at home with? Maybe some RCM books?

Thanks guys! My name is Justin, nice to meet everyone.

[jmdewey60]

I don't know about catching up with anyone but flute
playing would be good to do, regardless.
I just bought a classical guitar on EBay last night.
I can only blow so much before my mouth gets tired
so that gives me something else to do while recovering.
I also picked up a violin last month which I used to play
to some extent years ago. That has a way of killing
my thumbs for some reason so I can only do that
so long. Guitar is something that was in the house
when I was young but never had formal lessons but
I know can be fun anyway without having to be
especially good. My answer is, if you can find a spare
few minutes a day, then definitely no harm and
something you will be thankful for later on.

[ChordMelody]

Thanks for the reply. I guess just playing by my self at home would be good. I really want to be good enough to play in a band though. I'm planning on picking up the violin as well, might compliment the guitar playing. Does anyone have any suggestion for books on flute playing?

[kmj]

i was very exited about getting back to playing my flute...until recently i found my flute out ofthe case and in the bottom of my three year olds toybox... how she got it i'll never know long story short ive been flute hunting for a new flute for about 2 weeks now... anybody got any useful tips for flute shopping? i have a long term dream of a sonare sillhoutte (beautiful black nickel with regular nickel keys, open hole b flat foot) but for now i just need something to get my muscles back in shape.. i found a site with refurbished flutes, student flutes running as low as 150 USD.... but if ypu ppl find the site dont touch the golden looking gemeinhardt M2.... thats MY baby.... at least until if ind something i like better around that price lol!

im just playing .. if its gone before i can get it i'll find something else.

www.cheapflutesonline.com

[Paka]

I'm also getting back into it and just today picked up a (supposedly perfect) Gemeinhardt on eBay someone listed with an $80 BIN ($5 shipping). Figure at least if it needs work, shops will work on those, rather than the cheap Chinese ones I was looking at in the same price range or more. I also never went to an advanced level, just played for a few years, 7th-9th grades. I think it will come back to me pretty quickly even though I'm almost 31 now; I remember a lot of fingerings and tunes.

Anyways, mentioned it in another thread, but I picked up a flute book from 1980 at the university library here that is really good-- How to Love Your Flute, by Mark Shepard. Seems to give a great overview of about everything, and this guy really does love flutes.

[kmj]

well from what i can tell playtesting the flutes i have been looking at its not so much remembering the fingerings and such that makes coming back to thew instrumenty hard... its like if you quit working out for years and started out right where you left off... OWCHIES!!! most the flutes i tried i found it hard to get the air through... my sound was weak and VERY flat **cries** i guess it will be a long road