Beginner - requires some hints on how to progress

Irish Flute
1

Hi

I’ve been learning flute on my own for a few months using Tune a Day type books and am now struggling to progress my playing. I’m finding it difficult to get a nice tone on some of the higher notes (from say second octave A upwards) and think I need some inspirational books/CD’s to continue my learning. Probably need some time with a tutor - but how to find a good one?
Any tips gratefully received.

Cheers
Nayna

2

I think that in general you should try to play what you enjoy listening to. What type of flute do you play, wood or metal?

3

Thanks for the response Father Emmet. I play a metal flute. I agree with what you say about playing stuff I enjoy listening to - one of the problems I have with that so far is finding the music for specific pieces I like - I’ve actually posted another request for help on that one too … :slight_smile:

4

Most on this board play Irish traditional music (ITM) on wooden flutes, which are mainly made in the key of D. Maybe someone else could suggest a better site for help with metal Boehm flute. For music for pop songs try a site like this www.sheetmusiccatalog.com. Hope this helps.

5

Generally speaking, you can play a recognizeable, even enjoyable, version of any song
by following the voice line. You may prefer instead to follow the melody line when there
is one that’s different from the voice line (there often is in popular music, usually is in
show tunes; in folk music of all varieties, the voice and melody lines are usually synonymous.
Yes, this is an oversimplification.)

Anyway, any big book of sheet music with voice lines will give you something to start
playing with.

Teachers for the classical (Boehm) flute are generally around in every city, check your local
music stores and papers for adverts.

6

Nayna—If you live in a small town, if there is a small college or maybe even high school around, at least here they sometimes bring in music teachers once a week and you might be able to arrange for some private lessons on the day they come into town. That is my situation, and I know the teachers the college brings in are quite good since the Music Department has to approve them. You might also call the Music Department at a college and see if they could recommend someone even if you live in a big town. There might be some students who are quite good and would be fine to give lessons to a beginning student.

7

Here is a site that is more for the silver type flute you are playing, they are a fun, knowledgeable group:

http://www.8notes.com/f/forum25.asp

Good luck on your playing, just remember, it’s Practice, Practice & more Practice!

Terri

Of course you are welcome to post here also, but most players on here are keyless wood flute players. :slight_smile:

8

Thanks all for your responses - some good points for me to follow up on.

Cheers
Nayna