so, today i've been working on volume, and playing ff - after an hour or so, i went to make some coffee, and noticed a slight ringing in my ears. i always thought the flute was a fairly quiet instrument, at least compared to some, so i was a little surprised. i've heard that piccolo players often wear ear plugs, but i assumed this was due to the pitch of the instrument, rather than the volume - but should i consider this for the flute?

Actually flute can be one of the louder standard orchestral instruments, I'm sure I saw a study that suggested it was the loudest somewhere. If you're doing anything noisy for prolonged periods it's advisable to take breaks, or to use ear plugs etc. Normally I wouldn't try playing ff for an hour on anything though, maybe spreading it out across several sessions and working on other aspects would be best.

With almost ANY instrument you risk damaging your hearing, depending on where you practice )small, reverberant rooms?) and the volume you play at. OK, maybe not harp ... or mandolin ... or spanish guitar.

Take care.

Harps are loud! Particularly so as the sitting position means your right ear is right next to the soundboard. (Sorry off topic )

I don't play flute, but I think if you heard ringing in your ears, then definitely wear earplugs next time. It's not worth risking your hearing.

I bet my flute playing would damage your hearing. But not in the way you describe!!!

Seriously, maybe consider some earplugs? You can buy then quite cheaply at chemists and they muffle noise rather than drowning it completely so you'd still be able to hear.

I stand corrected - I did wonder when I wrote it ...

I'd definately get some ear plugs. My friend has just got some, she got told by Susan Milan (her teacher) to get some because of all the practise she does.

I have a friend from orchestra who plays french horn, but hasnt been since xmas because while she was at NYO, she lost her specially made ear plugs, and because she has tinitus after all the loud playing without ear plugs, she can't come back to orchestra until her specially made ear plugs arrive from America, because other wise she's ruining her hearing, and her career, which would be awful, having just got a scholarship at the RAM.

I need to get some too!

Jacob.