Well, this afternoon was to be a Big Moment - my first solo performance. Not exactly Wigmore Hall stuff, just 3 little pieces to be played in the interval of my choir's carol concert so that the singers (all except me of course!) get a break. Practice had gone well and I'd taken peoples' tips about projecting well on board. Picked up the flute and started playing the first few notes of the Paradis Sicillienne; out comes just a pathetic out of tune bleat; restart - the same - giggled at audience and tried again and managed a horrible faint rendition ....

The flute had been standing in a corner near a window (well out of the way of the basses' big feet!) and I can only think that it'd just got too cold. Perhaps I should have stuffed it down my tights! (Any ideas?!) The next two pieces went fine and I played along with a bunch of carols no problem. (The one good thing was that having been battling with laryngitis all week and croaking my way through the first half, after playing my singing voice magically came back.)

A learning experience!

I am sorry to hear it started a bit iffy! Glad you stayed as chilled as your flute and kept going okay. I think I'da been hiding behind the altar after the first muffled note...

I find popping the head of my flute up my sleve during long pauses is usually enough to keep it warm. Alternatively (particularly if playing a second instrument) keeping it on it stand but with the headpiece pressed between my thighs (no comments!! I tried so hard to find a way to describe that without it sounding... wrong and failed!) can work. And of course, always blow a few puffs of warm air down it before starting.

I also wonder if perhaps it was a bit damp from your earlier playing? Sitting in a cold place would have made any condensation worse, and water droplets can cause havoc. Also, if you were a bit nervous, you may not have started your first note as assertatively as required.

Glad everything went well once you got going! And yay for magical flute playing laryngitis cure...

I keep the headjoint in my armpit until the applause for the previous performer. Once or twice I've found myself waiting by a radiator and have used that. I'd like a little headjoint heater.

Thanks!
Probably the most embarrassing bit was getting a lovely bouquet at the end for my "wonderful flute playing and piano accompanying." Well, the piano went OK.

Looking forward to hearing more creative ideas for warm hiding-places!

You can buy disposable heat packs that are cold until you scrunch them up and then they stay warm for a couple of hours? Might be worth a shot, try googling 'disposable heat packs'. They cost about £1.50 each though so depends how often you need them!

You might need to investigate how warm they get, you don't want it too hot!

Something similar happened to me the very first jazz gig I did, well I call it a gig but the audience numbered about 3 - actually on reflection it was probably quite authentic!

I was fine playing the head with the rest of the band, but when it came to my turn to solo something strange happened with my sax and the high notes just wouldn't speak. Then we came back to the head and bizarrely everything was OK again. I dealt with it at the time by playing some very low solos (at least that's an option on jazz gigs). Afterwards I realised that it wasn't the sax that was the problem, it was me. I was so nervous that my breathing became shallow and I didn't have the breath to support higher notes. Now when I'm playing and aware of nerves I make a very conscious effort to make sure I'm breathing properly.

Or you can use an electric blanket!

Thanks ... but I'm afraid I spoke too soon!
I foolishly kept going into work and made it to the second concert; my voice finally went on total strike so I just had to stay at home. I've ended up with pneumonia and sound like a fifty fags a day bag lady.
So all of you make sure you look after yourselves and keep well.

Dorfmouse, Sorry to hear you've been poorly. It sounds like it's you, not your flute, that needs the electric blanket and general tlc right now. I hope you're feeling better by now and looking forward to Christmas .

That's very kind, thank you!
I never imagine anything serious will happen as I've got a pretty good constitution. The doc was very cross that I went back to work with a cough and bad throat but it's that time of year at school when you know being away is a huge nuisance for your colleaques, and the children are crazed up for concerts, parties etc. Have learned my lesson this time!
Happy and above all healthy Christmas to all.

i get this problem..ive been told to hold the mouthpiece and blow down the flute a few seconds before you go on stage! hope this helps