Self Taught Folk Players, advice?

[GreySatyr]

Self taught! The words that Im sure will make many of you cringe...

Yes, I must admit that my goal is to be a self taught folk musician. I'm curious, how many more of you are prowling this forum? The reason I ask is that I would like your advice. I'm wondering how and what you would practice if you could start your entire musical journey all over again? What would you do or not do and what would you change? How I can I avoid the problems that may have plagued you? What sort of things should I be working on that will make me a better player in the long run?

I am a complete beginner and so far I've only been practicing my embouchure, tone production, breath control, and my long notes. Im also listening to my fair share of flute players on youtube. So I think I'm on the right track but give me your thoughts please.

Some things you may need to know, I'm playing a simple system "Irish" flute in the key of D. I also started playing the whistle around the same time so I know the fingerings. I do not have the cash or resources to procure a good teacher (No, I will not! Do not suggest it, if I could I definitely would).

Your advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[pied_piper]

There are a few folks here who dabble with Irish flutes and whistles, but most here play and discuss the keyed concert flute. Everyone is welcome here, but you may find more information and help on the Chiff and Fipple forum. That forum has subsections that emphasize the the whistle and Irish flute. If you post some of your questions there, you will probably get more responses.

http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewforum.php?f=27

[GreySatyr]

I realize that, I'm on that forum as well and I've even made the same topic there. You really never know where you'll find helpful advice so I posted on both forums.

[fluteguy18]

Since a teacher isn't something you're considering I would recommend watching classical flute lesson videos online (galway, nina perlove, etc) and making a mirror and an audio recorder your best friends. Yes you are wanting to pursue folk music, but the physical playing techniques are very VERY similar (embouchure, breath support, articulation, etc). Folk players sometimes snub classical players (and it goes both ways), but one thing is certain: it is easier to take a 'classical' background and turn it toward folk music than to take a folk background and turn it toward 'classical'. Mainstream 'classical' playing covers a broad spectrum of styles that can easily translate to folk playing. So when you're looking for advice on learning playing techniques (embouchure, breathing, articulation, finger facility, etc) you would be best served by studying 'classical' sources and adapting the techniques to the style of music you are wanting to play.

[GreySatyr]

I've done a bit of that.

I've also found someone willing to give me online lessons. How awesome is that? I've also been takin the rest of your advice but I find that articulation and ornamentations in Irish trad is much different than classical. I'm having loads of fun though.

[Mere]

I agree with the above, YouTube is your best friend. Stick with James Galway and Nina Perlove for a start as there are a lot of people on YouTube who should not be giving advise. Once you're a bit more up to speed then go mad searching for specific topics as you'll know whether or not they seem knowledable.

My main advice is: You don't get any better from playing tunes.

What i mean by this is, if you want to play better focus on exercises and scales. Tunes may be more interesting (for a start) but they don't make you any more agile. Exercises teach your fingers and your eyes what to do without you thinking, so when you do play tunes you can focus on mood, story etc.

Having said this, i'm not into Folk music so maybe you will have a slightly different approach (but you did ask for opinions )