When did you start playing your flute?

[flutestudent]

Started in Mar 2004 and I am 30yrs old.
I thought I wouldn't last a few weeks with a wind instrument but I am still doing OK.....

[Burke]

Yeah, huh? I'm truly glad for you. I'd have to say that this is the best decision I've made for myself in a long time. Part of me bemoans the fact that I left the flute behind years ago, but I'm here now.

We're here now, and that's what's important!

[Kim]

<<I got my flute on Dec 18th, and have been practicing ever since. I'm too new to even be a beginner, but the things I learned over thirty years ago seem to have stayed somewhere in my brain, waiting to be retrieved.
_________________
Burke>>

Burke,

I have been meaning to welcome you to the board. I just seem to have so many problems posting here that I have kept putting it off.

We have something in common that I also played the flute roughly 30 years ago and then gave it up. I have been playing again for a little over a year again. I also noticed that many things had remained in my brain just waiting for me to bring them out again. I was mostly inspired to start playing again when my daughter started playing in school 4 years ago and when she got a new flute I started playing on her student flute.

Kim

[Fluteoholic]

I started about 2 and a half years ago.

[Burke]

Burke,

I have been meaning to welcome you to the board. I just seem to have so many problems posting here that I have kept putting it off.

Hi Kim,

I just realized that your post was here. Thanks for your kind welcome! Actually, I never properly introduced myself; I just started posting. I should have said something in the way of an introduction.

I noticed from your posts that you and your daughter both play the flute. I think that's just fanstastic. My ex-husband and I were both workaholics, and never got around to having children. Instead, I have decided to continue being a child myself.

I do not know whether you regret putting down the flute so many years ago. I have mixed emotions about doing the same, but I'm generally not one to look back with regret over things I cannot change. I wasn't a disciplined child, that's all. This is a grand instrument, but I wasn't ready to appreciate it then. I wasn't willing to do the work.

For someone who chose casually, I think I lucked out on the student model. This seems to sound fine for now. I do recall reading that a B foot helps facilitate the quality of higher notes, but I can't remember if that's right. I'm also finding myself looking at the better quality flutes online, but I know such a purchase will not be prudent for some time. I can still window shop though, can't I?

[Kim]

Hi Burke,
No I don't really regret putting down my flute for so many years. It wasn't exactly a conscience decision...life just kind of took a turn and I was busy working and etc.

It has turned out to be a fun hobby as an adult and it is so much different to practice now because I want to rather than because there was going to be a test in school. It is a lot of fun to play duets with my daughter. She is a much different young player than I was at her age. I wasn't as disciplined about practicing as she is.

From your posts it sounds like your playing is moving right along and that you are really enjoying it. I think that all players, young students and adults, should play out of pure enjoyment and desire.

Kim

[Burke]

It is a lot of fun to play duets with my daughter.

From your posts it sounds like your playing is moving right along and that you are really enjoying it. I think that all players, young students and adults, should play out of pure enjoyment and desire.

Kim

The wife of an older couple in the neighborhood plays piano, and I've already asked her if she'd be interested in working on some duets. She said she'd like that. They're in Florida for the winter right now, and I'm hoping to be ready to work with her when they come back in the spring.

I agree about enjoyment and desire. The flute has certainly become that for me.

I remember a movie I saw in a music class years ago about the life of one of the classical composers. During childhood at some point, he was so stressed about practicing the piano, that he ended up drumming on the window near the piano, until he finally smashed through the window and cut himself badly. I can't remember who that person was though. It's been a long time, but I'm sure someone here knows who I'm talking about. I think the problem was that his Mother or Father closed the piano lid and wouldn't allow him to practice any more that day because he had been playing so much. I'm not sure of the details now.

[flutegal]

fall of 2002 when i was 13

†Rachel†

[amhso]

Im 13 now, i started when i was in 5th grade...umm...2002 i think it was. i did in school learning for a year and a half and have been taking lessons for the other year. ABout 2 and a half years total of playing.

[cheer_annie_08]

I started playing in in 2001, in 6th grade, and has been wonderful ever since

[Phineas]

I started playing flute in 1991 after I got out of the Marine Corps/DOD. I always wanted to play flute since I was a kid, but there were stigmas about men who played flute that I was not mentally about to deal with at the time. Nowadays, I really dont give a hoot what anyone thinks.

I was already an accomplished musician, composer, and guitarist who was well versed in music theory, so learning another instrument was a snap. I started taking lesson from a classical player named Kathy Warner in St.Louis Mo. in 1995 to improve my technique. Put out a CD in late 1999, and have been a flute mercinary ever since. Playing when ever, and where ever I can play.

I play Rock, Blues, Funk, Jazz, Brazilian, Fusion, and other AFRO-latin styles. I play SOME classical, but that just doesnt seem to be what people call me for.

Phineas

[Burke]

I started playing flute in 1991 after I got out of the Marine Corps/DOD.

Wow. You are just too cool, Phineas. My career found me at the Washington Navy Yard and Bolling AFB in DC. I had the very great pleasure of having access to the Navy and Air Force Bands all that time. That was one of the best perks of my job, being able to go into those buldings any time I wanted, and being near those folks.

Marines never once let me down, Phineas. Neither did members of any branch of the service. It was a great experience to work for and with them.

[Collin]

I started about 8 months ago!

[bladibla]

Started about a year ago.. 17 now.

Trying to play John field's nocturne atm..

[LisaFlute2]

Let's see, I played in 5th or 6th grade. I am not sure I even did a whole year or not. Don't remember. Never picked it up again until Sept. of 2004, when I enrolled my children in a band lesson at a local music store. I am 40 now.I don't remember anything about what I had learned before, except I was able to pick it up and our first note was an "f" and I was able to make it right off. I remember cleaning my flute as a child though. I love playing it. Having trouble with getting my breathing in a good place. If I concentrate too hard on it, it makes me tense up, and if I don't, then I am only able to play 3-4 measures at a time. I am praying that is just sort of comes together someday.