12 Weeks of Learning the Flute- total beginner progress update!

A while ago I posted a video of my very first week of trying to figure out the flute... in that video I did promise updates, so here we are at week 12.
Every week I put a short flute practice clip on Instagram, and this video is made up of those clips, in an attempt to make a real-time-progress-diary-type-thing.
My flute is a second-hand Jupiter model which is now discontinued. The method book i'm using is Abracadabra Flute (third edition).
One year ago I started to learn the recorder, as an adult with no existing musical knowledge, talent, or ability... I've now added the flute to my recorders. I make this type of video to try to show the real time aspects of trying to learn a new instrument, especially as an adult. There's plenty of talented people who make playing their instruments look easy... and then there's some of us that make it look difficult... and that's ok too!
Find me on Instagram: @claythorpemusic
Thanks for watching!

[@MagSanJon]

Wonderful progress, Lauren! Love the Acapella collaborations. Well done on keeping up with your recorders AND the flute. I'm sad to say my recorders are collecting a bit of dust since I've gotten my flute. Now I'm eying an open-hole one (oye vay!!).

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Noooo, you can’t leave recorder club! Once you’re in, you’re in, haha. I do not feel brave enough for open holes, you’re on your own with that one! (Of course, if you get one, I’d love to see a video demo 😉)

[@dewaldesterhuysen712]

Thank you for making the effort to sharing your progress

[@ddakota333]

I just started the flute yesterday and got good noise out of it today!

[@yuulfuji]

How’s it going? I just started the oboe yesterday and also got a good sound!

[@darealcarool]

well done!! i'm so proud of you, and you should know that EVERYONE can achieve greater things if they keep working, and NEVER GIVE UP, okay? keep it up, cuz i know you can 🫶🏻

[@mayankgarg1258]

You are amazing. For making all the effort of recording your progress which can inspire so many. 👍👏

[@dorkaswicksco]

Congrats on your progress… love how you recognize your improvements throughout the video :)

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Thank you! I wish there were more improvements to recognise 😆

[@chas5131]

Far ahead of my feeble efforts. You are doing quite well. Keep it up!!

[@highlandlass74]

You have made a massive improvement in tone since you started...great progress!

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Thank you! Fingers crossed I can keep it going haha 😅

[@joehowden7885]

Good progress in such a short time well done keep it up.

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Thanks. At least you don’t have to listen to my practice 😆

[@yasdnilknarf1885]

great stuff you are a delight and a wonder

[@TheMtnmamma]

I appreciate the realness of your videos, one question I have is, are you still trying to practice the recorder at the same time you’re practicing the flute?

[@marcelinogalicia7612]

Thumbs up! To you Lauren! I play a Recorder by ear. but it is hard to cover the holes with my ears. lol. anyway you're doing a great job!!

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Ha. I found that far funnier than I should have… 😂 Thanks!

[@InkByt3]

I'm thinking about getting a flute. I've been playing the recorder for about 8 months and thinking of getting a wooden one, but not sure if I should get a flute before that. I can't choose!

[@Butter000]

Get a fluteeee!!! Flute is 🔛🔝

[@InkByt3]

@@Butter000 Update : got a flute and recorder!

[@Butter000]

@@InkByt3 Hope you enjoy playing it!!

[@delia_ra]

Great progress! Well done. Could you share your process? Any online course, YT videos, or books you recommend?

[@stephielulu9096]

Excellent progress!

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Thanks! Hopefully it’ll keep going in the right direction 😅

[@mhmadmatar9835]

When you started the flute, did you already have the background of being able to read sheet music or no? Because I used to play the piano until Covid struck and I lost the ability to read sheet music

[@ned1972]

I love your videos. Can you tell me how you record and edit them so they come out so interesting and fun?

[@sherpa_hesperides]

Thank you for sharing:) Question: What was your practice time approximately during those 12 weeks? How many hours per day? Congrats for your efforts and your progress ✨🎶

[@72secondprize]

Cool. Are you going to put a follow-up video of the next few months' progress? I've been learning for a few weeks and keep considering giving up, so it's good to see real progress.

[@yuulfuji]

Hows it going now? I hope you didnt give up!

[@nhlbluesgirl7045]

Great progress! What flute are you using?

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

Thanks, doesn’t always feel like it! It’s a Jupiter 511E-II flute. I bought it second hand. It’s a model that’s no longer made, but I’m really happy with it.

[@solarstryker]

Thanks for this video, can you please let me know what flute are you using?

[@strap2813]

Do you use a book, do you recommend any books for a beginner?

[@03Venture]

🤗🥰👏🏻

[@tednguyen810]

Your progress is very good and fast, i think you should work on your breath marks and breathing fast 😊

[@Tiffanywalls92408]

Do you still plau the fife

[@nibler887]

If you pay that teacher for those flute lessons, you better commit to the part. In the beginning you can handle both instruments but as the music parts for the flute are going to be more difficult they take a lot more of your time to perfect them. BTW you bought your flute online and second hand if my memory is right. Did you know the seller and the quality of the flute or was it a blind buy? Did the flute have any onforeseen flaws?

[@ClaythorpeMusic]

I do pay for my lessons, which I find helps me commit more of my time, ha! I’ll be interested to see how/if I can cope with both as I progress. Some of the things I learn in flute lessons helps with the recorder playing too, so it works nicely at the moment. My flute is 2nd hand, but I bought it in person at a reputable music shop. No flaws, as such, it seems to be a pretty solid beginner’s flute. However it is definitely strongest in the lower notes, so I have to work a bit harder to get higher up. But I think it’s pretty standard to have a stronger top or bottom end, rather than both, on flutes and recorders. If/ when I upgrade I think I’d definitely want to try the instrument, rather than buying blind off the internet. I recently chose a new recorder and had the chance to try a lot before I decided, very helpful.