Adult amateurs often want to master a new piece at first sight and could be disappointed if this is not so easy as they had imagined. They might have noticed that they lack the patience to approach a new piece step by step, and set themselves too many goals at once and thereby get in their own way. When taking lessons your teacher can help you slow down and coach you, but when you work on your own the hurdles could seem too high to even try starting something new. A pity, because mastering a new piece through slow and easy practising is so rewarding. For these real amateurs (= music lovers) the following tips can be useful....

The first thing to consider, before even selecting a piccolo, is to make sure you are ready to begin your piccolo adventure. Although there are a few teachers around the world who start young students on the piccolo directly, most flute teachers agree that it is useful to learn how to play the flute well before beginning the piccolo as a second instrument...

Many years ago I discovered Tim Weisberg, a flute player and recording artist, who among other things musical, played through various electronic effects, including echo units. His work was a true inspiration to me and I just loved his music.

One of my students from Brazil introduced me to the wonderful world of Brazilian Choro. This type of folk music from Brazil often incorporates the flute with other accompanimental instruments such as guitars and percussion. The solo part can also be played on mandolin, saxophone, electric guitar, mini-electric guitar, recorder – the list is nearly endless!

There are many ways that flute lovers, and music lovers in general, can use music to help make the world a better place. Using your gifts to help others is an important thing to do: it is inspiring to be a part of something bigger than yourself, exciting to give others enjoyment through music listening, and humbling to help people who are less fortunate in your own community and throughout the world.

I studied Non-Western music at Victoria University decades ago, and remember making a comment about how “out of tune” I found a particular African brass ensemble. Alan Thomas who was my lecturer calmly replied “Ah – but whose ears are you listening with?”

Hello there fellow ‘Flut-ies’. Yes it is now April, and for this issue I have created a simple ditty for you all, which was part of the score for The Rodwell Monologues, a theatrical show made for the Wellington Fringe Festival 2009. ...this music would work very well for a Flute Choir”.So here we are – I present a six part Flute Opus. Have fun with it – and you may find you could divide the parts up and play it as a trio – choose amongst yourselves.

I’ve noticed that between the ages of 13 and 17 years, many of my middle and high school students are suddenly hit with nerves or performance anxiety. I remember this time myself, when playing the flute in front of an audience was no longer a carefree event, but one I thought was fraught with danger. I wish someone had given me a manual or greeting card that said something like “Welcome to the World of Performance Anxiety, Everyone Gets It and You’ll Be Just Fine!”

Recently, a friend of mine took a photo of me at a concert while I was playing. When I saw the photo, I had a bit of a shock! I had obviously contracted what I will call the ‘droopy flute disease’! This is a problem that often plagues beginning flute students, but even after many years of flute playing and helpful reminders from teachers, high school age flutists and professional ones alike can get this illness!