JellyJack wrote:Hi, so... I just bought this flute off ebay
I've always loved flute music, it's a really good sound in an orchestra, and especially in jazz music such as Joe Farrell and Herbie Mann... Suite for flute jazz trio (Bolling) is literally amazing, it's one of my favourite CDs... maybe some day if I practice a lot
... My parents could never afford to give me lessons or rent a flute to be in the band when I was at school, I was always jealous of the real musicians while I had an irish tin whistle at home, so now I'm in my late twenties I thought I would finally give it a start - how hard can it be?
Congratulations. You have come to the right forum. This place is rich with advice and knowledgeable teachers, flutists. If you can, get a good teacher. If not...
#1 YouTube is a great place to start if you are not taking lessons. And it's never too late to start. Late 20s is great. People have started much3x later in life.
#2 The Library is another, after checking Amazon.com reviews for flute books and you will get an idea of which book suits you. There are quite a few good ones that weave in just enough basic music notes to start you off. Being able to read music has some advantage for fast tracking the most of us in that it encourages us when we are able to play popular tunes whilst advancing - esp for adult amateurs who are not taking exams. It is not hard if you love it so much. However, there are those who can write/play music without lessons.
You may want to start with learning, proper handling of the flute, putting it together / taking it apart so as not to misalign anything, how to hold the flute with a proper grip - to prevent unnecessary maintenance which is costly. So hopefully, your flute came problem free.
Concurrently, build your "Embouchure" (your unique set of muscles around your lips which controls the size, angle of the pinhole through which air must travel through to hit your flute) and find your sweet spot on the headjoint - how/where best to place your lip relative to the embouchure hole on the headjoint. Articulation and tonguing is helps you speak your music in phrases. Breathing exercises is key to build capacity and how to breathe without running out of breath or interrupting the music, this remains the biggest challenge for me at the moment.
Too wordy? Go to You Tube (or a good teacher).
Galway and a few others have got good masterclasses on YouTube for essential basics such as "Embouchure", "Good Tone", "Articulation & Tonguing", "Breathing" "Scales" etc etc
Esp not to neglect good tone. They say learn to listen and recognise what is a good tone. Also, learn the ONE set of scale once you know that, learn another. If you play by ear (without notes), you can just find the right notes by recognising relativity. Listening and recognising intervals between notes. Hopefully after a while, muscle memory in the fingers will automatically position itself to what your brain wants to hear. (But pls don't quote me on that.)
Do remember proper daily maintenance of your flute - how to do a simple wipe down daily but being very careful with the delicate pads. Saves you money in the long run. Tip: For finding your initial embouchure, start with an empty bottle or just the headjoint on its own.
Love Bolling too. Haven't mastered it but a halfway there. (But I play another instrument - so reading helped) I got my first flute last August from ebay too. Something I thought I'd NEVER do. But I was blessed with a great student yamaha. Bit of a tank but sturdy as, low maintenance (do not need constant adjustments) and sounds as good as you make it.
This forum is great. I am no expert. But there is a group of very knowledgeable people who are willing to part with their knowledge and experience. Anything from the hardware to soft skills. Journey of a thousand mile starts with the first step. So, you are well on your way my friend. Good luck. I'm very excited for you.
I went crazy in my first 10 months - flute was glued to hand & lip (barring away 6weeks in early days) but I recently neglected (didn't play) in July August and now I am sounding quite horrible, not quite the same. Which is a little disheartening. (Am hoping) perhaps the flute just needs an overhaul. I guess we always hope we are a bit special and immune but ppl have said it is essential to keep playing. Hope this helps.
