New to the flute! Options

[brysonfire]

I came across this forum and have been lurking for a few weeks, but now I thought it was time to introduce myself.

I had about 2 years' worth of piano lessons as a kid but never got as far as doing any grades before I gave it up, which I've come to regret over the years.

So, at the grand old age of 35 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I have just started learning to play the flute. So far, I've been working my way through some early units in the Learn as You Play Flute book and have been managing about 30 mins a day (I'm single mum to a 3-year old and also work full time). I am enjoying myself very much and am looking forward to starting my lessons next week.

I would like to work towards grades as a focus, when I get the hang of it!

Looking forward to getting to know you all more as my journey progresses (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[tonedeafmum]

I came across this forum and have been lurking for a few weeks, but now I thought it was time to introduce myself.

I had about 2 years' worth of piano lessons as a kid but never got as far as doing any grades before I gave it up, which I've come to regret over the years.

So, at the grand old age of 35 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I have just started learning to play the flute. So far, I've been working my way through some early units in the Learn as You Play Flute book and have been managing about 30 mins a day (I'm single mum to a 3-year old and also work full time). I am enjoying myself very much and am looking forward to starting my lessons next week.

I would like to work towards grades as a focus, when I get the hang of it!

Looking forward to getting to know you all more as my journey progresses (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Welcome! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
I'm a flute beginner myself (not 35 anymore (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) )- and loving (mostly) every minute of it.
There's a few more late bloomers on the flute around here - so you won't get lonely.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.gif)

[katyjay]

I came across this forum and have been lurking for a few weeks, but now I thought it was time to introduce myself.

I had about 2 years' worth of piano lessons as a kid but never got as far as doing any grades before I gave it up, which I've come to regret over the years.

So, at the grand old age of 35 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I have just started learning to play the flute. So far, I've been working my way through some early units in the Learn as You Play Flute book and have been managing about 30 mins a day (I'm single mum to a 3-year old and also work full time). I am enjoying myself very much and am looking forward to starting my lessons next week.

I would like to work towards grades as a focus, when I get the hang of it!

Looking forward to getting to know you all more as my journey progresses (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hello and welcome! The flute's a great instrument, and I hope you enjoy playing it.

[balu114]

Welcome to the forum!

All the best with your flute... It is a lovely instrument and I hope you enjoy learning it.

[brysonfire]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Any tips on how to get off to the best start would be appreciated (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[balu114]

I started playing (Flute switched Clarinet) just over a year ago and my tip would be "be less critical of yourself".

The issue with late starters like us is we know how good music sounds! Children are blissfully unaware of these things when they start learning.

In the first few months, I was often suffering from self doubt and wondering why I was playing!? After a year, I am so glad that I didn't give up and quite proud of my achievement (although modest).

All the best, once again!

[RoseC]

Welcome to the forums and welcome to the flute! It's a fab instrument. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

To get off to a good start, you should warm up your embouchure before you play, by practising making a good sound on the headpiece on its own, without the body/foot joints.
You should also 'wiggle your fingers' a bit first, to loosen them up so they don't get stiff when you play for long periods of time.

Good luck with your flute-ing!

[dorfmouse]

Welcome!
I started flute about two decades later than you!

Enjoy and be prepared to love and hate that beautiful shiny tube! Take your time. Lots of flute technique is not very visible, involving tiny lip muscle adjustments, learning to be aware of muscles and spaces deep inside you. Don't be dismayed if your breath runs out after two or three notes at first!

[AroundAgain]

Ooohh errr! I've just got confusted confused! Not difficult, when en route to being senile!!! I couldn't understand where my post was, then discovered there is a duplicate thread in Viva Woodwind too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Anyway, good to hear from another beginner. Pleased you are enjoying it.

Having just been given the OK today re playing the flute, have a week's practise to do in 2 days, so better get busy!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[brysonfire]

Thanks for all the encouragment. I was a bit hesitant at posting initially, being such a novice. Felt a bit like I wasn't worthy as so many on here have so much experience. I hope I can be one of them in time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I will keep you all updated, probably till I bore you all to tears! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[alcie-ruth]

I'm starting to play the flute too!

My only flute experiences so far are having a go through my sister's Learn As You Play, abracadabra flute and Music Through Time books when she was in primary school.

[brysonfire]

I'm starting to play the flute too!

Yay! Well, you have more experience than me then (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Let's hope all those new to the flute can encourage and support each other.

[sian b]

Hi! Like you I have also decided to start playing the flute. Have kids and work like you, so I'm not entirely sure why I decided to try and learn an instrument too! In all honesty, I think I probably felt like I had missed out on something when I was younger. I had no idea how to read music and my only recollection of playing an instrument was larking about at infant school with a recorder.

I've been having lessons in term time for the last five months now and it has been a totally amazing experience! It's still early days, and I'm obviously no genius flutist; but my sight reading is coming along and my fingers are starting to know where theyr'e supposed to be without me having to think too hard about what's going on. I have no regrets about deciding to learn, and really hope you get as much joy from it as I do.

If I had one tip to pass on it would be to make a regular commitment to the lessons. Friends who have informal, adhoc lessons or who are to the greater part self taught have all understandably found it harder to make progress.

Anyway... good luck and would be really interested to know how you get on.

[adultlearner]

I came across this forum and have been lurking for a few weeks, but now I thought it was time to introduce myself.

I had about 2 years' worth of piano lessons as a kid but never got as far as doing any grades before I gave it up, which I've come to regret over the years.

So, at the grand old age of 35 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I have just started learning to play the flute. So far, I've been working my way through some early units in the Learn as You Play Flute book and have been managing about 30 mins a day (I'm single mum to a 3-year old and also work full time). I am enjoying myself very much and am looking forward to starting my lessons next week.

I would like to work towards grades as a focus, when I get the hang of it!

Looking forward to getting to know you all more as my journey progresses (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hello!

You won't regret it, there is so much lovely flute music to play. I started learning 10 years ago and I'm sure I didn't manage half an hour a day at that stage, (sometimes don't now!) so you are doing really well. The main thing I wish I had known when starting out, and so might be useful to you, is the value of learning a piece by memory (possible at any stage) - it gives you so much more confidence.

Anyway, enjoy yourself.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Philcanto]

Welcome to the forum! If I could offer you any advice it would be to firstly enjoy the experiance of learning the flute! Try practice as often as you can even if its only for 15 or 20 mins! When you feel confident enough get involved with a local band or orchestra as this will probably be the most important part of developing your skills as a flautist! This was something I avoided as a flautist but thankfully now since I came back playing two years ago I have put myself out there & started playing with a group and have been asked to join a local amateur orchestra! Since coming back I have performed exam pieces for a very small audience which at the time was daunting as this was the one thing I did not like doing! Nerves were always a problem!!!
I recently performed with a group on front of a large audience in which we played Telemann quartet in D minor & although I had a few slips I thoroughly enjoyed the experiance.
Anyway good luck & keep posting updates on your progress.

Philip