I know there are a few sax players in here (myself being one of them), and I was wondering if anyone plays the flute as a double, or even as a primary instrument.

I want to learn how to play, because I have been inspired by stuff like Antigua Blue and Exotic Isle by Kilauea, Moe Koffman, and some other stuff like Dave Valentin on the CJP. I have a flute now; I'm borrowing my friend's, since she doesn't have time to play at all. I have tried for maybe 10 minutes once to play flute, and I couldn't get a sound out. Can anyone help me get started?

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Mike Chase
mike_intel@hotmail.com
My Home

One time in college we played a Basie chart that had flute parts written for all the sax players. Flute, sax - more or less the same fingerings, totally different embouchure, attack and breath control. Basically we could all play for about 6 seconds before we felt like we were going to pass out.

So the big night comes and everything goes pretty well, until the music department tells us that nobody could hear us playing. So the next concert we all had mic stands planted in front of us. Nowhere to hide anymore. It was fun!

Rob

Flute player here - I've been playing for over 25 years - yikes! - has it been that long? I'm in a local community concert band and I've " giged" with choir groups.

Remember the old " pop ' bottles - even a water bottle will work - try directing the air by changing your lip formation: across and down into the bottle. The air flow goes over the mouth piece -direction of the air goes down toward your chin not out like you would blow up a balloon. It's all in the lip formation - not like whistling- in fact - I've been playing so long I REALLY cannot whistle - honest!

Try with just the mouth piece alone.

Yes, you get dizzy at first - but as they say practice , practice. Breath support is like any instrument- deep lung support - AND, we haven't even started getting the tongue working to articulate the air movement.

Let me know how it goes. Hope this helps.
Good Luck,
Cheryl

The only thing that I have managed to learn to play is my stereo. I often have a bit of envy for those who do play and especially those who have the talent to create new music. Keep it up gang!

Cheryl - That all sounded way too erotic. LOL!

Steve, you are TOO FUNNY!!!!!!! Cheryl is a good bud of mine....I will have to direct her to your comment to give her spirits a lift this week....LOL!

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Anita Bonita

Steve H - LOL - Gosh, and I wasn't EVEN trying - hummm, -

lesson 2 : " fingering" for flute -

now, I AM being bad - LOL !!

Hi Anita Girlfriend,
TOO FUNNY is right!! I needed a perk!!
- I'm laughing - see
- Cheryl

I'm still having trouble getting a sound. Cheryl, is there any way you can better describe the position I make with my lips, and where to put my mouth on the flute? Thanks!

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Mike Chase
mjchase@uwaterloo.ca

- Mike,

I'm laughing - LOL : see

Sounds likes someone needs private lessons.

-Cheryl

Someone has no $$ for private lessons. It's all good though; I'll just keep trying...

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Mike Chase
mjchase@uwaterloo.ca

geez, steve ... and anita thought i was bad

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Woody
jazzwriter23@yahoo.com

Mike . . .

HELLOOOOOO!!!!!

What was that about Phil?

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Mike Chase
mjchase@uwaterloo.ca

Woody, you and Steve ARE BAD!!!! But notice, you BOTH are my friends...what does that say about ME?

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Anita Bonita

But seriously, Mike....Jeff Kashiwa can play the flute and I know he answers question when people ask him technical stuff about the sax and EWI. He is a bit busy now, though touring with Acoustic Alchemy, but since his BB is down, this is his fan mail e-mail address. He does answer you, but as I said, just give him a bit more time right now, alright: jeff@jeffkashiwa.com I hope this will help you and GOOD LUCK!!!!!

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Anita Bonita

Mike- I think you may have missed a little something here. Email me and I'll tell you what Phil meant.

Linda
LindaKay777@aol.com

Mike,

I thought you were being -
well, I thought you were joking with me with your last question:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mike Chase:
[B]I'm still having trouble getting a sound. Cheryl, is there any way you can better describe the position I make with my lips, and where to put my mouth on the flute? Thanks!

I did'nt take you seriously.

You might check with a local middle or highschool band director for some tips on flute playing.

Continuing my original response : The mouth piece of the flute rests in the crease of your chin and the air flow is directed out over the hole in the flute. As I said: try this with just the mouth piece first - worry about the notes after you get the airflow going.

- Cheryl.

In my defense...

I never went to band camp

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Mike Chase
mjchase@uwaterloo.ca

Good one, Mike!

Rick

Let me tell you about band camp........

Hey you guys! I can play a pretty mean beer bottle, but after reading this, I'm not sure if I should take a shower, pick up the flute, or go to band camp.

Billy G

Hey Anita

Hey Billy.....what up? Why don't ya take a shower, then go to band camp and play a beer bottle ( after downing a sixer or two)? Sounds highly entertaining to me.....I might even pay to see that....notice I said MIGHT!!!!!! LOL!

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Anita Bonita

Well this has all been very entertaining.....but I am still waiting to hear about band camp.....hmmm could that be where Fourplay orginated?

Good god with all these double meanings I feel like I am on a eposide of Three's Company!

Heh-heh...Imagine that sitcom today: 2 gay women and a straight man. Brigitte Nielson and Famke Jansen in the female roles...Nah, it would have to be on cable

I never even knew who Famke Jansen WAS until I saw Michael Douglas' new movie. She sure is a dead ringer for his beautiful wife, Zeta Jones, don't you think Bulldog?

Linda

Hey Mr. Schrader. I'm really into Fourplay - er, ah, the group. But nothing against the other either, you know, not the group. Larry Carlton was actually my introduction to what I'm so much into now. MUSIC that is. I'm talking music here. Started to feel frustrated. That is with the double meanings. Oh, what the heck I'd better go to band camp and take a 12 pack!!

Linda,
Actually, Famke Jansen became well known as the villianess in a James Bond movie with Timothy Dalton about 10 years ago.
Can't remember the name, but she was the bad girl who would literally squeeze men to death with her thighs of death. It was set in Russia. Bond fans can help me out here?

She was also in the movie "Rounders" with Edward Norton and Matt Damon. She was the woman who worked at the club and gave Norton credit against Damon without him knowing it.

Natasha Richardson is another actress similar in looks and stature to Famke. Gotta' love that name

Billy G, I remember the Bond movie you are talking about, but was it that long ago....geez, I must be getting old timers, kiddo! Whew! Hey, I may be shorter, but I could give a woman a run for her money, pre-pregnancy and in my "wild and wooley" days....let's just say I did a thing with my thighs that was "killer" too....hey, did jazz dance for over a decade...that stuff will tighten up one's thigh's quicker than anything known to mankind, just ask Shannon, babe! LOL!

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Anita Bonita

Does a fluted glass count? I can play those too, but only if they're full! Anita, let's not talk about thighs because I am a "leg" man. (We all have our weakness). The Bond movie; what could it be? Right on the tip of my tongue!! AARRRRGGGGEE!



[This message has been edited by Billy G (edited October 22, 2001).]

It says you have exceptionally good taste, my dear.

BTW, Billy, I'm a leg man too so what say we take Anita to band camp and make a wish.

(Probably gonna get crucified for that one, but what the L?)

Woody,

Man, I gotta admit; you got nads! But wow, man, you're going down for that one and you're not taking me with you!

Hi Anita baby your dear friend Billy G here just thinking of you honey and wishing you all the best my dear.

(Yes Woody, that is a giant sucking sound you hear )




[This message has been edited by Billy G (edited October 23, 2001).]

They don't call him "Woody" for nothing.

Heh Heh!!

You guys need to re-read my post....I "used to" have nice legs from doing jazz dance all the time...if you all were to see them now, well....let's just say you may all just run for them ol' hills! But you guys sure know how to make a woman's day. I am sicker than a dog right now, my head hurts like crazy and to see that on such a day ( and it's pouring rain, to boot) well, it made this ol' sick broad SMILE!!!!!!! Thanks you guys, I owe you one, don't know what, but something!

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Anita Bonita

If you're still having trouble, try this.

1) Put the edge of your lower lip on the lower edge of the flute. Now place the upper part of the flute against your upper lip (that's right -- basically you're whole mouth is covering the hole). Then, slowly roll the flute out while blowing, keeping the edge of the lower lip on the bottom edge of the flute. Roll out until you get sound. At first, as you roll out, keep your lips as if you are holding a quarter between them.

Best of luck.

Steve

wow Anita. After all that, you're still laughing.
Geez, what a sick mind you have.

[This message has been edited by jazzwriter (edited October 29, 2001).]

I play in a band with a flute player and we can't hear him worth a darn. When we did our first gig last week, we sounded like a rythmn section only when he was playhing the head of the song.

any of you flute players know a good way of amplifiying the flute player? As it was he had his own PA with two mikes stuck into his "face". Still not enough juice!

You can try the LCM70 mic from SD Systems which is mounted directly to the flute. You can also try using Crown Audio CM-311AE. The CM is used mainly by vocalists who like to dance (e.g., Janet Jackson) but flautist may also find it useful too.

[This message has been edited by Ars Gratis Ars (edited November 11, 2001).]