3 Common mistakes adult flute students make

[@robynelliott5603]

I love your videos Tatiana. I am 82 and taught myself to play flute from listening to recordings. When I began lessons I discovered I had to learn to count the notes and my flute teacher had me clap each note measure. Thank you for all your tips and advice.

[@TheFlutePractice]

Love your flute teacher! You are lucky that you have a teacher who makes you do that because so many don’t bother 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I think you are amazing! Enjoy every moment with your flute!

[@robynelliott5603]

@@TheFlutePractice Ah yes, but because I taught myself by ear, I find I need to know what the music is saying, and still play much better if I hear the music first. It is a different way of learning I suppose, but because I am not playing for an orchestra, or professionally, I can improvise too and my teacher loves this as it always sounds like part of the composition. but I do love your videos and take them to heart. Also Lance Suzuki.

[@TheFlutePractice]

@@robynelliott5603 Lance is great! Met him last year at The National Flute Convention. How awesome that you improvise! Such a great skill 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@robynelliott5603]

@@TheFlutePractice Ha ha a skill born of my ignorance and my love of music. I've gone through all of the feelings and thoughts you say. It is true, but yesterday I realise I AM improving, my breathing is so much better and my tone and sight reading are so much better. I am more confident and my beautiful Muramatsu 9K seems to sing. I know she is a she, I know this is my imagination but I can 'see' her nodding and smiling when I play well. I practice with a Powell Sonare sometimes only for ten minutes and then go back later and maybe play or do scales or go through one whole piece, then back to washing or looking after hubby...who has dementia. He LOVES to hear me play and also loves my harp (again self taught). So he is my chief audience but I played at a funeral a few weeks back and used the Powell flute because I wanted a full sound that travelled across the huge hall. The Muramatsu has a very sweet beautiful sound. This flute, incidentally was bought for me by my husband for my 64th birthday..18 years ago. He said he wanted to buy me something he knew I would value. How beautiful is THAT! Much blessing to you Tatiana.

[@pianowoman5468]

I appreciate your videos. I am an adult beginner, only starting 4 years ago at the age of 72 (with a teacher). I had doubts for about the first 3 months since I found it difficult to form an embouchure to produce any consistent sound, lol🙂. But I persevered and steadily improved. I’m now 76 and loving this instrument. My embouchure has greatly improved, I’m a definite advanced intermediate, and recently purchased a beautiful flute with a gorgeous tone. I watch your videos periodically and always find them very helpful.

[@TheFlutePractice]

What an incredibly awesome story!!! A real testimony to its never too late and follow your dreams 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@bettyvaldes3701]

I'm 62 and have started taking lessons . Same problem with the embouchure and breathing, but it is getting better.

[@littlebumgorf]

I’m not a flutist but a pianist thinking about teaching again, and this was super informative! I would agree with all of this! The students who aren’t a blank slate, who are skilled in some things but missing critical foundations, are sometimes difficult to manage. I hate to disappoint them by going back to basics because they often are accustomed to brute forcing repertoire that is not suitable for their needs, but preventing future injury or even larger disappointment is much better

[@TheFlutePractice]

I can so relate to the challenge of having this conversation with students. It can seem so discouraging to them but as the teacher you know it’s the equivalent of eating their vegetables!

[@autumnleaves5973]

At some point I would love to see a similar video for adult non-professional but advanced students!

[@TheFlutePractice]

Absolutely! Although, you will be amazed how much of this applies to advanced students too. So often, I come back down to fundamentals with students who are having issues and it solves the problems.

[@LouiseHoyt]

I played flute in school. I loved it! But had not played since the age of 20, maybe. Then, started again with the flute at 61! Yes, 61! And I love it still! Can't say that I haven't had frustrating moments, but I have no regrets.

[@TheFlutePractice]

That is so wonderful!

[@lesleymacarthur8597]

Me too exactly! Played in high school; gave it up for my profession, now back: started in August -I’m 61. Love it.

[@777leviandades]

Great teaching is here ! thanks for the video!

[@LeeBerache]

When I was studying to earn my degree at university, I earned extra money by being a tutor for the music department. One of my charges was an 83 year old woman who was taking classes to eventually earn her Bachelors degree in vocal performance; And she got it!! Now, I tell all of my students (and even their parents) it's NEVER too late. If you have a passion for doing something, then do it!!

[@TheFlutePractice]

That is so so cool!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@stephaniewickens3706]

I am 55 , tried in my early twenties Got to lesson 4 on abracadabra book 1, with twins, then , teachers pasted away, and resumed last year , been playing now for 1yr and 2 months now got my grade 1

[@annasmith9494]

Thank you so much for a video for us beginner adults! Your video about stretches before fluting has been a huge help. My teacher challenged me to stop furrowing my brow when I flute in the mirror. You are on target as usual! Thank you, thank you!!!

[@TheFlutePractice]

Pleasure! I like your teacher already 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@thomasbauer5558]

Love this video! I have about 20 adult students at the moment, so I shared this video with them all :)!

[@TheFlutePractice]

Ahhh! That is so cool. I hope it can really encourage them. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@janinehaynes6707]

I’m an adult student and I came back to the flute in my 40’s. I had gotten to grade 5 in two years as a teenager and life very much got in the way. My flute is a part of my soul and being. I’m now 50 (and fabulous may I add) and preparing for abrsm grade 8 performance exam. Unintentionally I’m sure, some flute teachers reinforce negative tropes about adult students. One that bothers me constantly is the idea that “it’s harder for adults to learn to articulate their fingers well” and that “children learn those skills much faster” and similar comments about the ability to play fast. I wonder what your thoughts on this are? Personally I find it limiting and underestimates what an adult can do with appropriate guidance from their teacher. My younger self was mega pants at increased tempo and I had no clue how much fun technique exercises were/are. I tell myself I can do anything. I doubt I’ll play professionally in a grande scale but I think I could potentially make a little niche for myself using all of my creative skills. I will be able to play faster and articulate with relaxed fingers, my tone is becoming beautiful each day! I love my flute so much that I got a flute related tattoo for my 50th back in July! My very first tattoo as well! Anyway Tatiana, I hope that my contribution to this discussion may guide other teachers to make a small change in how they word their encouragement and not glorify young people and not adults.

[@talonander1914]

I’m a private lessons teacher with an adult student here for advice from the video! Super helpful content!

[@TheFlutePractice]

Yay! Please let me know if you have any specific questions about this group of students.

[@talonander1914]

@@TheFlutePracticedo you have any advice on how to promote good air flow? My adult student has a tendency to close her lips just a little too much and it cuts off her sound. When she gets her lips open a little more, she has a really nice, powerful beginner sound. Telling her to imagine saying “Tooo” while playing has for sure helped, but her lips will slowly close as she plays. I also know she has had a rough time with her health in the past (I won’t disclose details. But the long and short is that it’s really hard to have good health care in the US without a really realllyy good job). I can tell she has the sound production in her, she played from middle school through highschool before she stopped for a long time. Sorry if that’s a very detailed question, it’s just stressful as a young teacher that I know she has the ability in her, but I just don’t know exactly how to get it out of her. Ya know?

[@TheFlutePractice]

I can so relate! It takes time to figure these things out and a lot of trial and error to find your own personal bag of teaching tricks. So it sounds like she may be pinching her embouchure. This could be the lips but also (and they so often work together!) the throat and jaw. I have found asking students to soften their cheeks, or think of space between their back teeth to be really helpful (I usually try one cue or idea at a time and see if it helps). It will also really help her to understand that the sound is created by the moving air and not her embouchure. When students 'try' to get sound out of their embouchure they usually end up squeezing and unnecessarily tight. Hope one of those things can help! You sound like a wonderful teacher so keep up the great work!

[@talonander1914]

@@TheFlutePractice thank you so much! I’m excited to try this advice with her! And thank you! I’m new to professional lessons teaching (I’ve taught friends and done subbing for a few years in college) so that means a lot to me.

[@ofiterpunte]

@@talonander1914 I have almost the opposite problem as an adult. I keep my jaw very low and it's really difficult to press my lips together. I end up loosing a lot of air, but at least my tone is nice. Sometimes it clicks and I get superhuman endurance, but that's like once a week.

[@russ_el-j]

A very helpful and encouraging video ❤

[@TheFlutePractice]

I’m so glad it was helpful!

[@eduardpiljic2662]

Thank you.

[@anissa_c]

I haven't played my flute since high school 33 years ago. I picked it back up back in April. Your #3 got me!!! I hurt my right shoulder!!! Also I remember what I sounded like. But I'm having a hard time getting my tongue to double tongue. I know how but can't get my tongue to work. That goes along with my fingers!! I know how to play it but my fingers don't want to move. I have the way it is to play in my mind. But my body doesn't want to work. So I had to start in the elementary books at the beginning. Now I'm in the intermediate books. I also explored in the etudes that you can get free on the internet. I guess I'm coming along ok and slowly.

[@TheFlutePractice]

Welcome back! That is so wonderful. I think my best advice to students restarting is to just build it up again slowly. It’s so tempting to go back to how you used to play and think you can get to that level again quickly. But, so often it’s worth starting from the beginning and treating yourself as a beginner. After all, you are most likely a completely different person. Take care of that precious body and patience! You will get there!

[@anissa_c]

@@TheFlutePractice Thank you, it is getting there slowly. I do know it will happen. Thank you again.

[@DeAnnaG_KissingFrogsMedia]

I started doing facial yoga and exercising my tongue for a few minutes a day shortly after I decided to learn to play the flute last year, i think its helped my playing (and my "life lines") and I've learned to laugh at myself a little because I stand there making weird faces at myself in the mirror every morning lol

[@BenjaminJahnke]

Flute lessons for kids: Learning fingerings, how to read notes, etc Flute lessons for adults: *Therapy*

[@TheFlutePractice]

☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️this! So true. It’s amazing how therapeutic it is for so many students!

[@preckle]

Ha ha yes!

[@stepheng.trollip7927]

Very valid points about adult learners bringing psychological baggage. I have the same thing teaching adults English.

[@nanditibroniassopi9521]

I am 27 y.o. and your beginner videos is very helpful to me. I hope i can join the zoom workshop. I already try to sign in to that link, and there is nothing email confirmation to my inbox😢

[@TheFlutePractice]

Send us an email of your don’t get one soon. It is sometimes just a bit delayed!

[@nanditibroniassopi9521]

Hi ​@@TheFlutePracticeteam. Thankyou, yeah the email is delayed .i have secure the spot for the workshop! Thank you very much

[@TheFlutePractice]

@@nanditibroniassopi9521 wonderful! Glad you have it. I’m really looking forward to the workshop!

[@janicerobert2002]

I have a seven measure solo from the end of night on Bald Mountain, how do I get through my nerves because I’m not a soloist at most part and I’m playing in a community band

[@TheFlutePractice]

Ooo! Tough one. My best suggestion is practice playing it for others. Pull aside a friend, the mailman, your colleagues, anyone who will listen. Put yourself into a situation where you are nervous enough times so you can practice knowing you will get through it, despite mistakes and nerves. P.S mistakes may happen and they are ok!

[@davidfarmer7397]

I will be on the workshop next week. We can’t do something when we say we can’t.

[@TheFlutePractice]

Absolutely! Wonderful! See you there 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Balzac241]

I played a lot when I was younger, I then stopped for many years. When I started to play again having a family, a job and everything, my biggest worry was not ever being able to play as well then qhen I was younger, not be able to catch up!

[@TheFlutePractice]

I think so many in this community can relate. It may be more helpful to see yourself as a completely new and different person now (which you probably are!) and just keep on the track you are on. You may even end up surprising yourself!

[@grauenritter9220]

there are lots of behind the scenes stuff on playing the flute.

[@TheFlutePractice]

So much!

[@TUH-g1p]

I think I know Tammy. 😊

[@TheFlutePractice]

😁😁😁😁

[@stanfeezor1415]

🎉❤

[@stanfeezor1415]

Very informative

[@TheFlutePractice]

I’m so glad!

[@Fluffy0914]

Im 47 years. There is a voice keeps on telling me you'll never play fast. And People wont likd to hear me.... it really frustuate me when i cant play fhe note fast.... the voices telling me see i told you....

[@TheFlutePractice]

You know what’s interesting…I’ve been telling myself that since high school. And, when I was around 23 I remember thinking so often: you’re too old, there are younger people that are better. You’ve hit your limit, you’re done. The truth about the lies we tell ourselves are not often the opposite of the lie though. We think the answer is to tell ourselves: you will play fast, others will hear you. When really, the truth we have to tell ourselves is: you don’t and can’t know if that is true or not but, does it really matter? So what if I never play at breakneck speed? Is that all there is to playing? What if I just calmly and consistently keep doing the right things, enjoy the journey, share my music regardless of what others think and just see what happens. I have found holding on to that really more constructive, and, surprise surprise, my fingers did get faster and I’m still improving well into my 30s. I suspect I’ll still be improving into my 70s 😁😁😁but, it’s challenging to shift your thinking!

[@TUH-g1p]

I hear that voice too. I tell him to shut up. 😂

[@TheFlutePractice]

@@TUH-g1p hehehe…or do that!!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😁😁😁