Hello folks,
I have armed myself with a Tony Dixon low D, tuneable student flute (it’s made of PVC as opposed to Polymer and has a cylindrical bore). To teach me to play I have the Essential guide by Grey Larsen. I have been playing for about two weeks now. I haven’t had major problems with getting a note from the flute (fat lips I guess) but I have noticed the following…
I’m finding the book, although very complete doesn’t provide instant gratification. I know that could be construed as a good thing but the first tune, practising cuts, is The Lonesome Jig at 6/8.
I find the transition from low A to high D difficult. I guess I will have to persist.
What can I expect from my flute and should I also get a book with some slower airs in- can you recommend any? Is there benefit in persisting with intermediate tunes(if indeed this is!?)
Your advice and comments will be much appreciated
IMO, I’m afraid it’s pretty much slogging from here on out, Rowly. No books of airs I know of, although the Josie McDermott “Pigeon on the Gate” in Grey’s book is quite lovely played slowly … anyway, keep up the good work, and it does take time. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with whacking away at any level of tune as long as it doesn’t frustrate you so much you quit … if you do find yourself that frustrated, just back up and try a different one for a bit, because quitting is the one sure way to guarantee zero improvement! 
good luck!
It’s best to start with simple tunes that you like,
they don’t necessarily need to be Celtic.
American folk tunes are fine, anything.
That should keep you occupied for a
couple of months at least. Flute is
not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure!
Welcome
I found the Irish Traditional Music books 1 & 2 Edited by Michael Turbridy. And published by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann good for a wide range of tunes from simple to the more demanding, Since he is a fine flute player the tunes and settings are very flute friendly.
A couple of books you might like to check out:
When I began playing the whistle a few years ago, I was just as interested in slow airs as dance tunes (especially on low whistle), so I’ve learned a dozen or so from the Tomas O’Canainn book. I’ve just ordered my first flute, so I hope to be playing some of them before long on the flute as well. You might also search the whistle forum for suggestions.
Rowly---- If it’s any help, most days I don’t have instant gratification either; and it’s not just the flute 
Can you tell us if you have played any other instruments before tackling the flute? That might help folks with ideas for any recommendations if they know where you are starting from (i.e. degrees of beginner-hood) .
Don’t forget to get yourself some good CDs/recordings too. While I’ve a small stack of tutor books that I’ve totally outgrown, I continually enjoy, learn and rediscover new things from listening to my CDs. As for instant gratification, its my experience that it doesnt happen for most people on the flute. I remember my first 6 mths of flute playing, wondering if I’ve even progressed at all. 
But then I was totally learning the embouchure and stuff by trial and error then, so it might be faster if you can get a good teacher. Do get yourself to a teacher when you have an opportunity, be it summer schools or regular lessons.
Rowly,
First, welcome to the boards.
I use Slow Sessions from the Whistle Shop. Thom has done a great job of putting together the list of tunes that they use at his “slow session”. Each tune has two mp3s (one regular speed and one about three quarter speed) and the sheet music.
One good thing is you can be pretty certain they are within a beginners grasp.
Good luck!
Byron
I have to say thet I find the slow sessions versions rather lacking in feel, they are rather like how I used to play trad tunes on the recorder before I was taught to do better! I think that Bro Steves site is far better, and gets the essential rhythm and ornaments in place early.
http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/
Thanks folks,
I am an absolute novice to music. I can’t read it and picked up a penny whistle for a bit once as a youth. My reasons for chosing the flute come from a love of whistling folk music as I walked long distance footpaths across England. As strange as that may seem If anyone knows “The drunkard” by Steeleye Span, “The fields of Athenry” by various and (being lazy now) a tune by June Tabor that goes “Oh cruel was my father that he barred the door to me” (I think the lyrics feature somewhere in the book Star of the sea) These tunes sum up the sound I like. I could be wrong but I reckon I could oneday squeeze them from a flute!
Once again thankyou for the replies. I shall persist.
I have found high D easier to get to from A if I have flatter pads on the B1,2,3 fingers. Should I try and adopt this?
Rowly— there you go— you aren’t really a novice at all. If you can carry a tune in your head, whistle it as you tootle along the trail, you are already ahead of lots of folks 
Flat pads are good. If you can find an Irish-flute teacher
it may save you a lot of time and trouble.
You will start with the right technique
and not have to relearn it later.
Definitely a worthwhile investment,
especially given the difficulty of the
instrument. .
One doesn’t need lots of lessons, IMO.
Just something every now and then,
meanwhile one practices.