How to start improvisation on the flute

...or any other single-line instrument for that matter.
Have you been wanting to learn how to improvise but have no idea how to start? Well I had no idea and probably still have no idea, but here are some methods to just take the plunge and go for it. Trust yourself and take the plunge! Even if you are an absolute beginner or an advanced player this skill is so useful. Happy improvising :)
Get some amazing improvisation tracks and get you started: gum.co/MBOroG
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[@FritzSolms]

I needed this pep talk - thanks

[@cosimomatteini7799]

Great video! I started learning the flute as an adult three years ago. Last night, in class, we did a little improvisation session. The teacher, whom I believe is a friend of yours, would play a frase, and we would respond. We were all really happy with this and similar exercises we did. I was so pleased with the facility I seemed to have with producing lovely melodies.

[@TheFlutePractice]

Wonderful! Is that Lindsey by any chance? This is such an exciting journey and I look forward to seeing how you progress!

[@cosimomatteini7799]

Yes, it is Lindsey, and she's great! I am actually having fund and making a couple f melodies I came up with whilst improvising and using them to write a little piece. And that's great fun too :-)

[@joemagnets9940]

Hello. I found the easiest way to 'improvise' is to understand that the KEY of the melody is very important in that you try to avoid notes that are not in the key of the melody you're trying to improvise. Although a wrong note, outside of the key you're playing in, can lead to another melody, the trick is to blend the two different keys to go up or down to the key you want to play in. I think it's called the circle of 5ths where the 5th note of the key you're playing, can lead you to another key, that will naturally follow the circle of 5ths making the melody sound 'natural' instead of out of tune, which improvising can lead to the next circle of 5ths, based on that 'out of tune' note that you played by 'mistake'.

[@TheFlutePractice]

Great advice! Thank you. I think knowing your scales really well is really the key (excuse the pun 😂)

[@pavelclaudiucristianstate6988]

you are the best teacher for flute

[@TheFlutePractice]

Thank you :) that is very kind...I must say I have had some awesome teachers to help me along the way though :P

[@213SYO]

I completely agree with this process! It takes some time but The more experimentation you do the more phrases and ideas come to you in the moment.

[@michelcrowfeather3789]

Good intro to improvising,I had the good experience of learning from Paul Horn in 71’,in Vancouver.He had me chose 4 notes and said..” now play something, just let it come and don’t overthink “.💖🎼

[@adelaykay]

I'll definitely try the glass of wine trick for a touch of bravery

[@ubizmo]

Well said. It's like learning a new language. If you wait until you can speak it without making mistakes, you'll never get anywhere. And as with language, any mistake can be recovered from. It's all about what you say/play next. Also, don't be embarrassed about rehearsing your improvisations. A jazz player playing the same tune on two different nights will play it about 80% the same, but will also try out new licks, or circle back to older ones. It's a myth that all or most improvisation just springs from the player's head in the moment. And speaking of "Summertime", here's some easy improv: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2qplIChnNCdqdk

[@TheFlutePractice]

Thank you for this really insightful and helpful comment! I have really learnt something from your words and actually really feel encouraged :D I also really enjoyed your video...what I really like and would recommend others watch because you show so nicely how to build up the Summertime from simple improv to more elaborate but still with a lot of feeling..awesome. Just to take the idea of languages a step further. I chatted to Hubert Laws about how I felt that classical improv and Jazz improv were almost different languages, that Jazz felt like a whole new language. He looked at me and said: "No, not a different language. Just a different accent." I really liked that as well. Made is seem like a less frightening transition :)

[@ubizmo]

The Flute Practice Hubert Laws is an amazing musician, with incredible breadth, but that brings up another point about learning improvisation (or anything else in music). You have to spend a lot of time *listening* attentively to improvisation, over and over, to get a feel for what they're doing. Even use the Amazing Slow-Downer app. It can be a real help.

[@TheFlutePractice]

Could not agree more! And he actually mentioned this in his workshop as well :D thank you!

[@muppetshowtube]

ubizmo h Thank you so much ! Will try it now.

[@RosemarieNorton]

I love Tatiana!!! You are so generous and real, I love your honesty and your encouragement

[@TheFlutePractice]

Thank you 🙏

[@TomaszWena]

Hi! I would like to thank You SO MUCH for Your great, helpful and inspiring videos. I have started to play the flute just 3 weeks ago and I love it so much that now can’t imagine a day without play - and watch Your videos too :) all the best to You! Tom

[@davidudall1706]

will do, thanks .i play sax but am learning flute

[@nickyroseroshini]

This was all SO nicely put. I had a smile on my face the entire time💖 Thank you for the lovely encouragement! x

[@rebeccaaustin1339]

Thank you, Tatiana! Your inspiration is so inspiring and encouraging!!

[@charlene35886]

I love Hubert Laws. That's amazing :) I find him inspiring. Thanks great tips.

[@TheFlutePractice]

Thank you!

[@wyndhl9465]

Well said Great instructions and encouragement. Thanks.

[@LaurieSavage]

I love Hubert Laws', Yusef Lateef's and Eric Dolphy's jazz explorations of the flute. I have too many "classical" musician friends who are terrified of playing without the music, or extemporising/improvising yet, of course, it was part of all earlier musicians' tool box. The great virtuosi of the 19th century improvised their cadenzas, Bach could and would improvise processionals and fugues. It's a shame that this wonderful discipline has been overlooked by so many modern musicians and it's great that young, modern musicians from both camps are exploring one another's repertoire and techniques.

[@rmoraespinto]

After a long absence, came to watch one of your videos today. And there's something from Hubert Laws, one of my favorite jazz flutists! Thankd. Take this op to wish you excellent holidays!

[@carolinafluteman6598]

Hubert Laws sounds like a genius! I grew up listening to Najee, who I absolutely love. Hopefully I will be able to improvise like all the greats do.

[@justineehrens3251]

I would very much like to know what you think about my short musical improvisations !

[@kevinmuncy2730]

thanks so much for your videos they've really helped my doubling. great teaching. fantastic advice on this one.. start with small ideas and just go for it. . i suggest my students incorporate one melodic device at a time. just roots, then roots and neighboring tones, them roots and changing tones, then roots and appoggiaturas, then roots and thirds, roots and thids with the previous devices, then roots and thrds with passing tones... etc. another thing that can be fun is taking a 3 or 4 pitch motive and playing permutations. oh, and transcribe, transcribe, transcribe. i love your content.

[@TheFlutePractice]

I love these suggestions! Very cool ideas 😃😃😃

[@isabelle__theo]

Thank for sharing this knowledge and methods !

[@gladyspeaceandlove4675]

Hi !!! htank you for the video, you gave me great advices ! Hello from France !

[@ronaldeng3454]

A very good start. Encouraging. I would just add a bit about not being too judgemental. Also, rhythms and scales are pretty important to have in your head. You can develop a sense what sounds good, but having some theory allows for a clearer development path and foundation, in my opinion. Still, I very much appreciate your channel and your willingness to put different ideas on the pallette. Really fun and exciting way to learn practice and explore. Thanks.

[@fluteityblanche9173]

I love your spirit! Exhilarating!

[@laurengriffey3553]

I have a difficult time with improv. I’m very mechanical with my flute and violin

[@karenbarlow9160]

Thanks

[@jasontana8805]

great advise, thanks for the talk.

[@TheFlutePractice]

A huge pleasure :)

[@TheFluteBoy]

Hiii Mam I'm the flute boy and your playing really like a amazing

[@ezrashatil9501]

When to use the finger below or the first finger on the write hand for b flat

[@tonyaclark5900]

I loved watching this. I really want to do improv on my flute for local open mic fun. I was wondering what options there are for background music.

[@Flutrix994]

Glad to know

[@olive4naito]

This was inspiring, thank you!

[@justineehrens3251]

I would very much like to know what you think about my short musical improvisations !

[@grahamlyons8522]

Beware of going to conventional jazz improvising courses. Chances are you'll be taught how to play notes that fit with a number of given harmonies. That way you end up sounding as if you are going up and down a series of scales and arpeggios. Far better to plunge in and experiment, gradually improving your ear, as suggested here. The ideal is being able to play what's in your mind, not just fit the 'correct' notes to chords as they progress.

[@breadman5048]

I think a key thing here to note is that you are playing alone.. if you want to learn to improvise play with others..

[@sapphireflame1715]

Hello, you should do a video about transitioning through notes . Having a bit of trouble with it. I love your videos keep it up and it would be great if you do my suggestion or reply with tips on transitioning.:)

[@TheFlutePractice]

Hey :) and thank you! I would love to do a video to help you (and I am sure many others!) Do you mean moving between different fingerings on the flute? Maybe you can describe the problem a bit more so I know exactly what to help with :D

[@sapphireflame1715]

The Flute Practice hi sorry about the late reply. so what I mean is tips mainly on how to have the smooth transition from each note and not stopping each time. also with that tips on breathing to get that transition because I take a breath each time I play a note. I hope this makes sense and thank you for responding! :)

[@sapphireflame1715]

oh what I mean on transition is for the time sounding as a whole and not stopping each time when changing notes

[@drnarwhal2888]

Solution: practice the twelve major scales until your fingers bleed

[@derycktrahair8108]

Listen to Jazz. Miles Davis "Porgy & Bess" album. He will open your ears to "Summertime". Most Flute players are victims of our training with all those exams & trying to please a teacher. Trust your ears. A teacher will help you with technique, but you're the one who plays it. HEAR what they want & give it to them. When you're playing, you are the Boss. Never be a trained Rat.

[@TheFlutePractice]

Deryck Trahair so true! I only understood this when I finally left university and had to become a working professional doing it on my own!

[@derycktrahair8108]

"Finally left University..."? We never stop learning. My Uni was 6yrs in the Australian Army as a Bandsman (Cltl/Oboe). Civie street was 40yrs on Sax/Clt with Flute as a double, backing Shows, playing Musicals, & touring in the horn section. They pay you & give them what they want. In retirement I'm on 1st Flute in a local production of 'South Pacific'. Not a big deal but I've never been so scared. To play an exposed solo up in the stratosphere (was that 4 or 5 ledger lines?) has got me doing some serious practice. Your videos are very helpful. You are a wonderful teacher. It is possible to teach an old dog some new tricks. Thank you.

[@solostarrz]

I still don't know wat improvisation is but it's kind of hard for me I know a little bout it but it's very confusing

[@TheFlutePractice]

Really improvisation is just playing making up a tune or notes as you go. Just play 3 different notes on the flute how ever you feel and you are already improvising!

[@thelordandsaviour9320]

The best way I find to learn how to improvise is to just put a backing track on and just have fun be sure to make sure your on time as that is A key aspect to improvisation as you get better put on a song you haven't heard before and make love to it in my eyes improvisation is is a one of the most important techniques to learn as it is the way you will write music and have fun

[@juancarlosbartolome568]

I don't know why are you doing so simple. May be a lot of experienced year behind of you?

[@TheFlutePractice]

Many years of practice, playing and teaching and a lot of time thinking about it!

[@breadman5048]

Wow flute players seem so uptight LOL

[@breadman5048]

I’m a flute player btw

[@GeorgeStokes95]

im better ha

[@davidclark4204]

" enhance oral skills " lol

[@lawrencemcconnell8962]

You are MUCH better than I am or will ever be - I stink. Having said that - I disagree with your entire approach, i.e. the melody. I advocate playing the arpeggios of chord progressions with varied articulations. For example the standard: 1,4,5,1 - 1-6-4-5-1, etc. Pulling the melody out of your ass, note by note, is something not everyone can do, I know I can't. Progressions give the player a platform (base?) to stand on. Then one can study how melody conforms and supports the progression and visa versa. Neither can/should exist in isolation. The question most heard in - What chords should I use with a melody? Well, scale chords of course. But how about the question - what melody should I use with this chord progression? Everything fits together. IMO anyway.

[@NotFine]

Really? As a intermediate/beginner player, pulling melodies out of my ass is way easier because i work off the scales instead of chords i dont really have internalized

[@NotFine]

And its like a thing where people can sing a melody eaiser than sing chord tones lol Its just more to think about

[@gothatamangmodisaoteng7495]

can i have your email