University Audition

[OGirly]

Hello,

I'm new to the flute, and this forums in general. I had a question, and I wasn't really sure where to put it so I figured this would be the best place to put it. I'm currently a philosophy major in university, and I"m on my second year. I'm also 25 years old (my schizophrenia went untreated until two years ago when I was finally diagnosed...I have my life back now ) Anyway, I wish I would have chosen music as I've been involved with music since I was 7 years old, but the university I choose to study at (Kent State) doesn't allow a saxophone major for music. I've got three more years on my philosophy degree, and I have been giving a lot of thought to starting a music major once I've finished my current degree; and the flute has always been an instrument that intrigued me. It's absolutely beautiful, but my parents were both saxophone players so since they had them around the house it was the natural choice to save money and keep me in music when band became an option for me. Prior to saxophone I was in lessons for piano.

Anyway, I was wondering if I could get some advice. I practice my flute playing about three hours daily. Scales and octaves in the morning, pieces in the afternoon in the practice rooms on campus (I've started taking side music classes at Tri-C a local community college to sort of get a head start on music theory studies etc), and in the evenings I combine the two. I take two private lessons per week, and I also play with a local adult group which meets to practice three times per week plus public performances. Somehow my philosophy work has not slipped lol.

My question being: Given that I am waiting three years to audition for the university if I keep at my current pace of practice, and private lessons do you more experienced flute players feel I can ever possibly consider auditioning for university on flute? I know it's a long shot, and I know most players who go to university have been on their instrument for years; but, a music major in composition is something I've always wished I would have done first and I know I'll regret not going for it. Sadly I don't have the money to relocate to an area with a saxophone major offering so I must make due with what universities I have around me.

Any advice or thoughts would be very welcome. I've got the time to do this as I'm blessed with partners who make enough money to let me be a homemaker/full time student currently. I'm just curious if you all think it is possible for someone who started a little later on her instrument than usual to make it into a university programme. I've got a good solid background in music theory so I"m not worried about that part. It's the audition that has me nervous...and it's potentially three years away...God only knows how nervy I'll be as it gets closer lol.

Thanks for reading this I know it's long

[pied_piper]

Before answering your question, it would be good to know what you goal is after earning a music degree. Are you interested in performing or teaching? If performing, what type of music? Orchestral? Pop/rock? Country? Church music? Other?

25 is certainly not too late to learn to play an instrument, but to make a career of it, while not impossible, will be more challenging. Explain your goals and perhaps we can help you think about the various considerations...

[OGirly]

I'd like to get my degree in composition. It would be a BFA in Music with a concentration in Composition. The university requires you to also take applied music courses throughout the entire programme. I don't mind this, and I actually look forward to the instruction as playing the flute is something I've wanted to pick up since high school. So no I'm not looking to make a career of playing the flute. I'd rather involve myself with classical composition, and maybe popular composition. It's just the audition that has me a bit nervous.

I'm not worried about the piano skills tests, or the sight reading as much since I compose pretty regularly on the piano etc and three years is more than enough time to get these skills up to speed. I would have preferred to enter the music program with my saxophone since I'm much more comfortable with that instrument, but I'm more than willing to dedicate the time to learning the flute if that will allow me to enter the music composition program. I've also considered piano, but I don't have a friend who is a music major with a piano concentration offering to give me free lessons in exchange for doing her hair like I do for flute (I'm also a cosmetologist which comes in handy more often than you'd think lol).

Simply I need to learn an instrument well enough to get into the composition program and the flute is the only instrument that the university offers that I could see myself being passionate enough about to devote the next four to five years towards; and it's the only one (other than piano) that I have some experience playing, and for sure it's the only one that I have easy access to personal instruction at a price that works perfectly for me.

[OGirly]

just bumping this. I'm still hoping to get some advice. I tried to answer your questions. :\

[pied_piper]

Sorry I didn't get back to you last week. I read your last message and then I was interrupted and didn't get a chance to reply. I wish the forum allowed users to tag messages for follow-up so that wouldn't happen. Unfortunately once it's read, it sort of falls off the radar so to speak.

Anyway, back to your questions. As a composition major, if you are a strong player on sax, you can probably get up to speed on the flute if you continue your private instruction on it between now and your audition. That will help you focus on the things that typically happen when a saxophonist take up the flute. The playing level for a flute performance major would probably be a really big stretch, but other for other music concentrations such as composition, the bar should not be as high. It sounds like you are serious about this and dedicated to making it happen. The ability to play all the major and minor scales fluently over the full range of the instrument will probably be a requirement. If you learn those, combining that with public performances in your other groups, you should be in good shape. If there are any community bands or orchestras in your area, you might consider joining one to get more playing experience.

I know a bit about moving from sax to flute because my major instrument was sax when I was working on my Music Ed degree. While working on my degree, I also started lessons on the flute and fell in love with it. I still play both regularly. Here's a list of a few things that sax players (actually anyone new to the flute) typically do wrong on the flute. There's also a few other tips that you may find helpful.

• Don't forget to pick up the LH first finger when playing D and Eb on the staff
• Keep the RH pinky down on the Eb key for all notes except first and second octave D
• Don't press too hard on the keys (on the flute, a much lighter touch is desirable)
• Sax players are often used to playing "sidesaddle" and tend to allow the flute to droop to much to the right side. The flute should not be held parallel to the floor, but neither should you allow the end to be too low. Your head should tilt slightly to the right when playing, but don't overdo it. Ask your instructor to watch your playing position and guide you.
• Improper phrasing seems more noticeable on the flute than on sax - Ask your private instructor for hints!
• If you play flute in the university band or orchestra, you will find that the flute parts are generally "busier" than sax parts. You may find those parts more challenging than most of the sax music.
• Often, flutists are expected to double on piccolo. Once you are reasonably comfortable with the flute, you may want to try it. Don't be surprised if it is required as part of your flute study. I found that playing piccolo GREATLY improved my flute playing because it forced me to focus my embouchure more. (YMMV)

I hope my answers help, but if you have more questions, I'll try to respond in a more timely manner. There are lots of experienced flutists here who can offer help and suggestions.

[OGirly]

Thank you for the reply. Sorry if I came off strong bumping this :\ I was just hoping it would grab someones attention.

That's good advice, thank you. Especially the tips regarding sax to flute transitions. I'll have to be sure to keep all that in mind as I practice. I'm hoping to find another group to play with here soon that tackles some more challenging material. The current community group I play with mostly sticks to easier pieces that everyone can manage to play. It's great for getting out there, and gaining experience performing; but it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to personal development. I'm hopeful now that I'm into the music programme at our community college as pre-music I can hook up with some other players there, and maybe put together a small group to help us all improve.

Thanks again for the advice. I'm hopeful with a certain amount of practise I can get to where I need to be.