Not everyone can be principal flute |

Trying something new in today's video. Let me know if you like this style of video and what other topics you would like me to cover next!
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[@NeevsBroadway]

This is so thought provoking. I was supposed to go to conservatory to study clarinet 15 years ago, but for a variety of reasons, I chose not to. I could see my own tendencies toward bitterness and comparison and could only visualize a life of pain if I continued on the path I was on. I think it was the right decision for me in the long term, but I would be lying if I said I didn't feel like I was missing out at the time. Now 15 years later, I actually have become an amateur flutist and am more in love with this instrument than I ever was with the clarinet and I'm able to play it for myself in a way that brings me joy. I'm thankful for that, and that I found this channel! You inspired me to pull my intermediate flute out of the closet last summer!

[@mid9moth]

I too was supposed to study performance in the conservatory 5 years ago but I also thought something similar. With the burden of having to practice and drill through excerpts and pieces every day, the constant paranoia of feeling that other musicians or even people in positions of power (like professors, conductors, etc) would be out to get me and that I could NEVER leave my guard down; i also decided not too and proceeded to major in something else. This year I begun practicing again, very consistently and fell in love all over again with my flute, my piccolo and even the recorder 🪈! And now I love it more than ever and can't wait for my injury-induced-hiatus to be over to play some more again!

[@NeevsBroadway]

You're me!! I also branched into recorder after becoming obsessed with flute/piccolo. I even bought an irish tin whistle! hahah. Happy practicing, friend!@@mid9moth

[@mid9moth]

@@NeevsBroadway

[@WorldoftheWoods]

One of the most freeing things I did in my flute journey was leaving music school. I realized early on that if I had taken on music as a career, I would have ended up hating music. Now I enjoy music surrounded by so many cool musicians while working in a non-music career. I think a lot of people just don't know that you can play music beyond high school and college without being a professional musician.

[@strkravinmad]

Yes, this! I very seriously considered majoring in music in college, but I decided against it after all, because I didn't want to end up hating playing. I never stopped playing, though, and have been in community bands after graduating and even also joined a hand bell choir!

[@quentinm.williams9]

I think this is one of the reasons why I did not major in music education or perfomance like I intended to leaving high school. I prefer to play solo or in ensembles when I can without actually having to study it. I also have an interesting in composing pieces for groups but never took on the major because I knew I would end up dreading it. It's much more freeing as a hobby and interest.

[@tavifagascon]

Love this video Katie! I always remind myself that I am BUILDING A LIFE IN MUSIC. It means teaching, playing in smaller orchestras, doing random gigs, etc. It is all part of a beautiful journey that we are in control of while enjoying and being happy with it. Love the community you have created here and thank you so much for being so honest. We, musicians, need to stick together and teach each other how to stay positive while making progress

[@tavifagascon]

next chat epi: all the jobs musicians can do, plz

[@AnnaPychsoprano]

I’m not a flutist, but an opera singer - and it is so important to say what you are saying in this video. No matter how many times we hear this, it is never really enough - it is so easy to doubt the process the moment it hits a rougher path. So thank you - and keep these coming!

[@oxoelfoxo]

more chats! even non-musician me enjoyed this

[@1st1anarkissed]

I am a hobby flutist. Never going to be a musician, but it gives me pleasure and it can feed me if I do it at the transit station.

[@kalynnbelton1984]

I enjoyed your video! Going along with your point, I agree that there isn't enough information about music careers. There is so much stuff you can do with music such as: music education, music therapy, production, composition, directing, film and media scoring, video game scoring, music business, freelance, and etc. There is so much you can do with music. You just have to find your path.

[@cranberrie16]

Love this! I graduated with my masters a few years ago and I've since made a career switch to music librarian. I am SO much happier playing as a amateur and teaching a couple of students on the side. For how much my teachers encouraged me to be ambitious with my flute goals, the truth is that I hate playing principal or being a soloist. It stresses me out! Lol

[@denisemayosky1955]

Ooh, how do you become a music librarian?

[@cranberrie16]

Depends on what type of librarian you wanna be! If you want to be a performance librarian - someone who works for an orchestra or music school to prepare the music for its members - most people come into those jobs from performance backgrounds and learn the skills on the job. If you want to be a librarian in the traditional sense and work in an academic library or archive, you'll need a master of library science degree. For me, I got my start in a side job in my university's library during grad school and was hired as a performance librarian for a collegiate music school after graduation, so I've done a bit of both!

[@MasoQueso265]

As a fellow flutist myself, I like this concept of video but branching off from what you said, out of the music world, this could also apply to other careers too. I fell like a lot more people than just musicians can reflect off this video. Thank you

[@isleofdogs89]

I love that you touched on scarcity mindset. Just becoming aware that it's a part of my inner dialogue was such a huge help. It really helps to reframe your way of thinking and optimism. Loved the honest chat! 💖

[@ericbingham-kumpfcomposer5293]

Life is a learning experience and we never know what is around the corner when it comes to music. Just keep on growing and learning, that is all we can do.

[@MrStan0630]

I will hear the Vienna Philharmonic tomorrow at CH. I will be listening for the flute.

[@LillyPeppermint]

Loved this talk. I remember talking about this at uni and how we, as wind players, accidentally picked the short straw when we were young beginners because now, professionally, there are so much fewer jobs than string players. Now I teach flute and piano, as my second, full time, and ensembles and composing when I can and it's the best career in the world.

[@irenetripodi]

Thank you, Katie! Many times this topic is avoided but it is so important to talk about it, not only because of the "numbers" but in the first time because of the psychological reactions of all young musicians that could approach to music/audition/concerts in a very bad way. What really matters is that we can do music, we love it and we spread this wonderful art: and we are so lucky that we can do it in so many ways ❤🎻

[@terrigoodwin7413]

This was a very good message. I needed to hear this today. I feel like God was speaking directly to me through you.

[@cariswen-ac]

Burden lifted. Thanks Katie 🩷

[@PetulaGuimaraes]

Indon’t even play the flute and I keep coming back here ❤

[@DLB42]

I needed a pep talk. This was perfect. Thank you and good luck!

[@briannamercier104]

This was so moving and real. I cannot even count the number of times that my brain has gone into that mindset throughout my college years and even now as a young professional. Thank you Katie!

[@dianadesaiflutestudio7958]

Love your video Katie! 😃 For topic suggestions: - something about the teaching side of your career would be very interesting!

[@janetmckenzie146]

Hi Katie! Not only are there very few flute openings in major orchestras, a flutist may occupy a chair for their entire career. Emmanuel Pahud is in no hurry to leave the Berlin Philharmonic! Also, it's worth keeping in mind how much time orchestras may be travelling each year, and if that lifestyle works for you. After graduation, there is no '1st chair.' Instead, there is your life, which is not a destination. 🦋

[@amyfalzonviolin]

Hi Katie! Thank you so much for this lovely video. Coming from a very small country were the music community is extremely small (and incredibly competitive) I frequently feel disheartened about building a professional career. Your video has really helped me put things into perspective and not give up. Also I love your videos thank you for posting! 🎶

[@JaneFluteSchool]

This is such a wonderful video. Thank you Katie!

[@eaterdrinker000]

You are principal of YEAR-ROUND VLOGMAS!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@erinjanssen8336]

I completed my degree in music in the early 2000s. I must admit, this scarcity mindset was the reason I didn't pursue a career in music. The day I graduated, I remember telling my professor that I was pursuing a career in social housing . She was horrified. I haven't regretted it though. I've still been able to continue playing, obviously not to that same level, but still playing for the love of it and I am making some huge strides in trying to help people most affected by Sydney's housing crisis, a role that has gained me quite a bit of professional respect. I am missing out on some management roles though because "Well, you don't have a degree" ahh, actually I do and I can assure you that it takes a heck of a lot of intelligence, concentration, dedication, dexterity and deep understanding to play, say Mozart's G Major Flute Concerto... I'd love to see those with a behavioural science degree alone be able to do the same (which, incidentally, I am also currently studying), but alas, sadly, the arts are not as respected as they should be outside of the arts bubble.

[@luckyrob7]

Love this. Thank you for saying the quiet thing out loud.

[@sydneeonthego]

LOVE this post, Katie. Can't wait for more in this series. ❤

[@mmcclam]

This was just the video I needed right now. Thanks for sharing!

[@denisemayosky1955]

Thank you for this!! As an amateur musician, sometimes it's easy to get frustrated and compare yourself to others who have more experience and training. I could almost envy you, tbh. But then again, I envy anyone whose flute isn't squirreled away in their storage unit due to unforeseen circumstances, buried God knows where!! But I know even if I have it, the SF Symphony won't be beating down my door any time soon!😅 I just want to get it, start playing, and improve my technique. Maybe play in hospital lobbies or places like that if I can work up the nerve. (And play lever harp for patients one day). And in between, travel the country as a MUFON field investigator!!👍👽🛸

[@odalilleaasen]

Thank you for this video! I thought I was going to be a flutist, but chose to study design and become an illustrator - and a lot of what you are saying here can also be said for the visual art/design field. Going to think about all the possibilities now! :)

[@ericbingham-kumpfcomposer5293]

I started out on the piano and from that point on I learned about other instruments, I am now a composer. When it comes to art, I could not draw a straight to save my life! You have a wonderful talent and that is something to be admired.

[@jmplgo5]

Great video! As a musician for 37 years it was nice to have a real world chat with someone whohas made the successful effort in the industry - giving honest advise. With that said one video that would help many who have not achieved such professionalism (and may never) is how to navigate the dark waters of amateur and semi pro community organizations. ( which you may or may not be too familiar with personally ) With that said as. Musician in my 40,s I have seen toxic flute players my age and older How do muesicians (of any age) deal and handle those situations. So what is a toxic musician - depending on musical perspective - no one But depending on seating and solos - that musician. That musician who outshines the rest of the section. In ensembles where a multitude of musicians play from all walks of life and musical educational perform - there is always some who truly better performers. Those musicians know they are better and they have a choice - help their section improve or do nothing and play all solos and first parts whiile other members of their section sit in silent resentment As a former music coach for flutes I worked with various levels of students and they were non competitive and willing to teach and help their fellow students. In real world this doesn’t happen. Why? And how do we change this so all musicians feel empowered and perform in non threatening and balanced terms

[@Brooooooklyn]

Love this video I am a sixth grade first year band student and I love when you make vlogs and any flute advice videos are great too!

[@paulacamilamunoz6590]

i needed this video, thank you

[@jarofjam3967]

This is a great video. It's a fear of mine, the scarcity of work. This is healing

[@sonja4186]

Your views don't just apply to the music world. Very interesting video

[@CrankyBeach]

I enjoyed hearing what you have to say. I am a reasonably competent amateur flutist (and thank you for saying "flutist," as I never played a flaut in my life). I came up the usual way, high school band (second chair) and then community college concert band along with a very good flute class. I decided early on that I was not going to pursue a professional career, and I've never regretted that decision. Even at a small community college the levels of cutthroat competition combined with backstabbing and downright sabotage really took the fun out of it. (And I confess I am happy to report that the biggest backstabber of them all never attained a professional career of any kind either.) So I play for fun, wherever my kind of fun is to be found. I spent quite a few years in the community concert band at the college, played one year in first chair (which was enough for me), several years in second chair, and the last several years because of the pressures of life in general I actually fought several people for LAST chair. (And I won. The band director said he would seat me wherever I liked, and I liked it back there right next to the principal French horn.) I taught a few beginners a long time ago, and I did audit a few Julius Baker masterclasses in the early 1990s. Of course the performers were mostly take-no-prisoners competitors that were actually fun to watch and listen to since I wasn't trying to compete with them. One day Jeanne Baxtresser stopped in and talked a bit and took questions. I raised my hand and asked her if she had any thoughts on the role of the amateur. Well. She lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree and said she LOVED amateurs, that the very word explained us, that we do it because we love it, not because it's our job. I appreciated what she had to say, especially in light of some of the youngsters looking sideways at me as if to say, how could you NOT want to be a pro, that must mean you're really lousy at it. No, I'm not lousy, but I'm certainly not professional material either, and I know it. Who knows... maybe I could have been, but as I told someone just a few years ago, I didn't have the requisite fire in the belly. And that's fine.

[@user-hs8wo9mf9c]

Hi Katie, my name is Paul Jones I'm also a flute player. I am 2nd flute in the West Chester Concert Band, and I attend The Music School of Delaware.

[@1015SaturdayNight]

Thank you

[@potapotapotapotapotapota]

Like twosetviolin recently posted, I just gave up because there was a 12 year old who plays better than me after 17 years of practice. I started playing when I was 12...

[@garrettbrown1755]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@DrQuizzler]

I think you're onto something here. I think music school culture is still wired to orient students to aim for competitions and to coveted positions, and not enough emphasis goes to self-marketing to other ways to be a working musician. Maybe in a future vlog you can point out some good resources to get people started in their search for their own path.

[@paulineb66]

I am not competitive at all and just play for fun. I play flute and clarinet in community bands and will gladly play 2nd and 3rd parts. I have found that even with amateurs there can be intense competitiveness and snobbery. That’s OK because these people can fight over the 1st parts and solos. I am just happy to play and to challenge myself to do a bit better each time.

[@CrankyBeach]

When I was last in community band I actually fought with other players over LAST chair. Believe it or not. I had known the band director the longest, he knew what I could (and couldn't) do, and he granted my last chair request. I rather liked it back there next to the principal French horn. :)

[@paulineb66]

​@@CrankyBeachI would gladly sit in last chair. Someone's got to do it.

[@normalizedaudio2481]

I always let the girls play 1st chair!