Hi all,

My first post on one of these forums so hello to everyone

I am a (lapsed) flautist who played a lot at school but stopped after going to uni due to finances/workload etc. Probably a very common story!

Anyway, after almost 10 years of not playing, I have recently dusted off my flute and rediscovered how much I love it. Now that I've racked up a few years in the rat race, I can finally afford a teacher, and really want to get good again! I know I have a lot of work ahead of me - hours of studies/scales etc to get anywhere near where I want to be - but I'm super keen to do this.

When I was at school, I took my grade 8 (distinction - if that makes a difference after all this time) and have been thinking about working towards a diploma. Is that crazy? Has anyone out there done anything similar?

I'm not sure why I'm considering putting myself through the hard work and stress, given how much I hate exams. I was ecstatic after finishing my accountancy exams a couple of years back as I thought I was done with exams for life!

If anyone has any opinions on this then I'd love to hear them - is it worth it? How long should I expect it to take? Is 28 too old to start over with all this again?!

Thanks for reading!

No, you're not crazy, or if you are I am too!

I did something very similar. Played at school, got Grade 8 distinction after three years. Didn't do much at uni., then had a couple of years' lessons in my 20s but gave up when the children came along.

Ten years ago, after a major operation caused me to take time out, I realised that I needed to be doing music seriously. So I bought a new flute and found a teacher. A year later I took and passed my DipABRSM.

It can be done!

Health warning: ten years on I have a busy teaching practice with forty pupils, am working towards Grade 8 piano and singing and play recorder and flute seriously. It's addictive, this music business.

Well said, A-in-C. A very similiar situation to mine! I had a long break! Now work fulltime in music.

It can be done.

Go for it and enjoy the process

Thanks for the replies!

Andante, that's some seriously impressive progression in such a short amount of playing time! I think I'll need more than a couple of years of lessons to get there - although I have my first one next week so might have a better idea then.

Having looked at the repetoire, it's encouraging that I was playing a lot of the pieces back in the day so it's not too daunting on that front.

Finding a local wind band/orchestra is next on my list of things to do. That was one of things I enjoyed the most when I was younger and I'd love to be able to meet some musicians - I seem to be surrounded by accountants at the moment..!

Well done all of you, full of admiration *sigh*...

I also reached a very high standard of flute playing at school but due to a number of factors never got around to taking my theory exams. So, although I reached a grade 8 plus standard and involved myself in as many different forms of ensemble playing and experiences as possible, I have nothing on paper. Like you all, university saw a lapse in my flute playing. I have recently dusted it off and joined a flute choir, and very much enjoy it. I often think what it would be like to have lessons again and get up to scratch, and one day make music part of my career in some way (like teaching) but I think it would be too big a mountain to climb as I don't have the paperwork.

But good luck to you, does this mean you're going to be treating yourself to a new flute?!

Welcome to the Forum - I've only been using it a week ahead of you and already I've had some great advice! So good luck.

I got Flute Grade 8 Distinction at school and went on to do a flute diploma at uni with Grade 6 Piano. Then I left all playing (both flute and piano) for 21 years! No practising and no playing! Same reasons as you: work, other exams, children etc etc.

In the summer of 2007 (at the age of 42! ) I decided to take up the flute and piano again - going to teachers once every 2 weeks. I wanted to aim high but soon realised that you need to be very disciplined and make sure you're putting in regular and effective practice. And the first few months were really difficult trying to get back my tone and technique but I persevered (but it wasn't easy ). It would have been really easy to give up.

However, by Easter 2008 I had Grade 8 Flute distinction again (it was good preparation with scales and getting used to exam conditions again). By the summer I had Grade 8 Piano (distinction) and DipABRSM in Flute (distinction). I've just got my LRSM (performance) in flute and am now working towards my FRSM in flute and DipABRSM in piano for the end of this year. It does take discipline, commitment and hard work (in addition to my day time job which isn't music at all, children and all the other pressures we all have to face in life!) - but there is a wonderful feeling of achievement when you get there.

So if I can do it - you most certainly can!! Go for it!!

All the best

Peter

Hi! Why don't you sit your grade 6 theory so that you can do your grade 8? It's a dim and distant memory for me now, but I was never a brilliant theorist so it can't be that hard!


No new flute for me. I was lucky enough that my parents bought me a lovely Altus a couple of years before I stopped playing, and it's still in tip top condition. I am finding it very tricky getting to grips with open holes again though!! I've just done one of the Taffenel & Gaubert exercises and sounded like a rank beginner!

Did you forget to let go after breaking a stay
but seriously, hope that is ok now

Wow.... that's inspiring. I'm so impressed with the way people on here have picked it back up again and reached such high levels. FRSM? That's amazing! My ambitions seem truly weedy in comparison

28 definitely isn't too old. In my case, Grade VIII at 17, music degree at 21, DipABRSM at 35, maybe possibly perhaps an L of some sort in the future.

I won't lie - the exam is a stressful experience, but the feeling when you pass is fantastic! Make sure you get a teacher who is familiar with the diploma requirements, make sure YOU are familiar with the diploma requirements, and try to get some public performing experience under your belt as well.

I agree. Peter, that sounds amazing. Well done for all of your hard work and commitment.

Lucid